Acknowledging Long-Term and Dedicated Service to Improving Food Security

March 13, 2026

The Crawford Fund for Food Security met in Canberra this week, and had the pleasure of formally recognising the long-term dedicated service and commitment of Dr Tony Gregson (VIC), Dr Richard Sheldrake (NSW), Mr Dick Warner (TAS) and the Hon John Anderson, all of whom have recently retired from their respective roles with Crawford Fund Committees and the Board. They leave following more than six decades of combined service to the Crawford Fund for Food Security Board!

The Crawford Fund for Food Security recognised the enormous contribution of former Board and State Committee Chairs Dr Tony Gregson (VIC), Dr Richard Sheldrake (NSW), Mr Dick Warner (TAS), and Board Chair The Hon John Anderson this week. They are pictured with Crawford Fund Deputy Chair, The Hon Joel Fitzgibbon (left) and Crawford Fund Chair Ms Su McCluskey (right).

“It was an honour to recognise the long-term and outstanding service of these four outgoing Board members who have dedicated many years to promoting and improving Australian and global food security,” said Ms Su McCluskey, Chair of the Crawford Fund for Food Security.

“They leave the organisation in a very strong position, with clear priorities and a commitment stronger than ever to advocate for and support Australia’s contribution to, and benefit from, international agricultural and food research,” she said.

“We thank them for their massive contributions. Recognising that now more than ever, Australia’s food security is intimately linked to regional and global systems, trade, communication, and security, we will honour their legacy by stepping up to the challenges and opportunities ahead,” she concluded.

Tony and Richard announced their resignations at this week’s Board meeting following a combined 33 years of service to the leadership of the Crawford Fund for Food Security.

Dr Tony Gregson AM is a grain grower from Victoria’s Wimmera region with an extensive science and corporate research management background. He became the Victorian Committee Chair and Member of the Board in 2002 bringing immense experience and passion to the role, having served on the Boards of Plant HeaIth Australia, CSIRO, GRDC, CIMMYT and ANSTO amongst others. He has also served on the ACIAR Commission for International Agricultural Research which provides strategic advice to the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs to improve food security and sustainable livelihoods particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

As Chair of the NSW Committee, Dr Richard Sheldrake AM was appointed to the Crawford Fund Board in 2017 following almost four decades in the NSW Public Service where he was Director-General of four Departments (Agriculture, Natural Resources, Industry and Investment and Primary Industries) between 2002 and 2013, when he retired. Richard’s long-term commitment to rural and regional Australia, has focused on his expertise in farm productivity and profitability, rural research and development, natural resource management and plant and animal biosecurity.

Both John and Dick formally concluded their Board roles in August 2025. Dick will remain active on the Tasmanian committee, and Associate Professor Stephen Ives has been appointed the Tasmania Committee Chair and CFFS Board Member. Announcements regarding the New South Wales and Victorian Committee Chairs will be made in the coming weeks.