One sitting director has been re-elected and two grower board members have been elected at Cotton Australia
At Cotton Australia’s Annual General Meeting, held during the Australian Cotton Conference on the Gold Coast. One sitting director has been re-elected and two new grower board members have been elected.
In accordance with the Constitution, three positions were declared vacant. The successful directors appointed were:
- Andrew Coulton (nominated by the Macintyre Valley Cotton Growers’ Association)
- Scott Balsillie (nominated by the Dirranbandi Cotton Growers’ Association)
- April Cavanagh (re-elected – nominated by the Central Highlands Cotton Growers’ and Irrigators Association)
Cotton Australia Chair Liz Stott opened the AGM proceedings, followed by a presentation of the financial results by Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee Rob Dugdale.
Ms Stott thanked retiring grower directors Bernie Beierhoff and Matt McVeigh for their dedicated service and contribution to the Australian cotton industry, acknowledging the significant commitment of both directors, with Mr Beierhoff serving for eight years and Mr McVeigh for nine years.
“On behalf of the Cotton Australia Board, I thank Bernie and Matt for their service, hard work and commitment to our industry. Their leadership and representation have helped strengthen the Australian cotton industry and ensure grower voices remain at the centre of our work,” Ms Stott said.
“Bernie’s commitment to on-farm excellence was recognised through the 2018 AgriRisk High Achiever of the Year Award. His contribution to industry research and innovation through the Transgenic and Insect Management Strategies (TIMS) Committee and Cotton Breeding Australia (CBA) helped position Australian cotton as a global leader in research and best practice.
“Matt has made a large industry contribution spanning his Nuffield Scholarship, participation in the Future Cotton Leaders Program, and his representation of growers through the Cotton Australia Board, his local Cotton Growers Association and irrigation groups.”
Ms Stott also paid tribute to Board member Bruce Connolly, who passed away in early 2026.
“Bruce was a respected industry leader, a modern pioneer for cotton in northern Australia, and a passionate advocate for regional communities. His passing is a profound loss for the cotton industry and for agriculture in the Northern Territory, where his contributions have left a lasting legacy.”
Cotton Australia welcomes two grower directors
The Cotton Australia Board has welcomed While Scott Balsillie, the 2024 Bayer Cotton Grower of the Year and Chief Operations Officer for Eastern Australia Agriculture in Dirranbandi, as a new grower director.
Scott joins the Board with extensive industry experience and a strong record of grower representation. He previously served as President of the Dirranbandi Cotton Growers Association and as a grower representative at Cotton Australia General Meetings.
He is also participating in the 2026 Australian Rural Leadership Program, further strengthening his leadership capability and contribution to the future of Australian agriculture.
The board has also added Andrew Coulton, a third-generation cotton grower from Toobeah in the McIntyre Valley, and Scott Balsillie, Chief Operations Officer for Eastern Australia Agriculture in Dirranbandi, as a new grower director.
Andrew brings extensive farming experience and a strong connection to the Australian cotton industry. His family has a long history in agriculture, with his grandparents, Keith and Patricia Coulton, establishing their farming operation at Getta Getta near North Star, NSW, in the early 1900s.
The family expanded its operations with the addition of Alcheringa at Boggabilla in the late 1960s, transforming the property from sheep grazing country into an irrigated farming enterprise. In 1995, Andrew’s parents, David and Kim Coulton, established Morella Agriculture.
Today, Andrew continues this agricultural legacy as a cotton grower in the McIntyre Valley and brings a strong commitment to representing growers and the regional communities that support the industry.
