About Our Team

Executive Committee

Dr Garry Rosewarne — Pulse Grains in Australia

Dr Garry Rosewarne

(President / Secretary)

Dr Garry Rosewarne is a research leader at Agriculture Victoria based in Horsham. With a passion for pulse grain research, he is the Senior Breeder for the National Lentil and Field Pea breeding programs. His research has focused on leveraging data to drive strategic breeding approaches and introducing novel quality attributes into pulse grains.

Paul McIntosh — Pulse Grains in Australia

David Matthews

David Matthews is a farmer from Rupanyup, in the Wimmera Region of Victoria. In the early 90s he established The Wimmera Grain Company (WGC), a pulse accumulation and export business. WGC also had an active in involvement in the commercialisation of new crop varieties. Outside of agriculture,


David was chair of the first Community Bank in Australia and has helped build that network into a national social impact enterprise.

Nick Goddard — Pulse Grains in Australia

Peter Wilson

Peter Wilson is Managing Director of Wilson International Trade, a business providing superior supply chain and consulting services to the global grain and pulse trade and agribusiness. 


He has held Board, Executive Management and Senior Trading positions for listed and private International Trading and Logistics companies in Australia and Canada. Peter is a Past Chair and current Board Member of Pulse Australia Limited and he has served as a Regional Vice President on the Global Pulse Confederation's Executive Committee. 


Peter is a Board Member of Regional Development Australia, which is responsible for determining strategy for the region in the areas of development, sustainability and resilience. He is also an Executive Committee Member of the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland. 


Peter holds post-graduate qualifications in Agribusiness from Monash University and has lectured in agribusiness, supply chain and risk management subjects at the University of Queensland. 


He operates a mixed farming and cattle breeding operation on the Darling Downs in Southern Queensland.


He is married to Sonjas and has 3 children.
Nick Goddard — Pulse Grains in Australia

Merrill Ryan

Dr Merrill Ryan, a principal scientist with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has been breeding pulse crops for the Northern grains region for 25 years. 


She has bred and co-bred mungbean and chickpea varieties, been involved in pigeon pea genetics and advised on pulse protein initiatives. Merrill presently leads the National Mungbean Improvement Program funded by DAF and GRDC and is involved in a global ACIAR funded initiative, the International Mungbean Improvement Network, partnering with several countries to share germplasm and genomic knowledge.
Nick Goddard — Pulse Grains in Australia

Jane Brownlee

(Communications Officer)

Jane is an enthusiastic early career research technician with over 8 years of experience in conducting research across a variety of crops, including wheat, barley, pulses, and sugarcane. Her passion lies in connecting fundamental research with real-world impact, and she is dedicated to advancing the agriculture industry by attracting and engaging new generations with fresh ideas. She is keen to bridge the gap between academia and industry, and hopes to engage with people through workshops, conferences, and events to promote innovation and drive positive change in the pulse industry.


Jane's experience in conducting research on different crops has given her a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in agriculture. She is skilled in utilizing advanced research techniques and technologies to generate meaningful data and insights that can be translated into practical applications for farmers and industry stakeholders.


She is an advocate for attracting and empowering new generations in the agriculture industry and supports young researchers to pursue careers in agriculture. Her passion for connecting research with practical applications and engaging with industry stakeholders makes her a valuable asset to the pulse communities and the broader agriculture industry.
Nick Goddard — Pulse Grains in Australia

Kristy Hobson

Dr Kristy Hobson is the project leader and senior breeder of Chickpea Breeding Australia, a joint collaboration between NSW DPI and GRDC.


Kristy has 20 years of experience breeding chickpea in Australia and has been involved in the release of numerous desi and kabuli chickpea varieties for Australian grain growers.


Nick Goddard — Pulse Grains in Australia

Dr Penny Roberts

(Treasurer)

Senior Research Agronomist

SARDI (South Australian Research and Development Institute), Clare, SA 5453

Senior researcher specialising in improving pulse production in South Australia.


Nick Goddard — Pulse Grains in Australia

Nick Goddard

(CEO Pulse Australia)

Peter Semmler — Pulse Grains in Australia

Peter Semmler

After a number of years working as a Trader for various export companies specialising in pulses I took a position with TLC in 1994 and shifted to Horsham.


Primary focus was to develop the export market for Australian red lentils which was a great success I travelled extensively to all the major red lentil markets. India. Pakistan, Bangladesh, UAE and Egypt. The objective of these trips was to meet the Buyers and develop a good relationship and understanding pf their needs. 


While in Horsham spent a lot of time especially with the Lentil Breeding team 


And provided valuable input from a marketing stance.


Later on was part of the RAG GROUP which oeversaw and mentioned P B Seeds after they were granted the Lentil “pipeline.


In the last 3 years have been part of the Pea and Lentil program under the Auspices of DEEP and have maintained close contact with the others on these two committees.
Dr Lars Kamphuis — Pulse Grains in Australia

Dr Lars Kamphuis 

(2025 Conference Chair)

Senior Research Fellow

Centre for Crop and Disease Management, Curtin University

Bentley, WA ,6102

Theme Leader Canola and Pulse Diseases at CCDM

Purpose Statement:

The organisation will: 


  • Promote the scientific study of pulses, their fit within farming systems and end uses;
  • Provide a forum for the exchange of ideas materials and technologies within the pulse research community;
  • Summarise current research findings and make recommendations on future research directions;
  • Support emerging researchers in their career through mentoring, financial support through conference bursaries and by providing a platform to share their research.
  • Establish and maintain links between research and industry bodies to facilitate interactions aimed at improving competitiveness and value of the Australian pulse industry;
  • Promote consumption of pulses in human and animal diets;
  • Support international pulse research activities for global knowledge sharing.

Constitution:

The Pulse Grains Society of Australia Inc. was incorporated under the Association Incorporation Reform Act 2012 on the 30th of November 2021. This association follows the model rules for an incorporated association in the State of Victoria. Click here to learn more.

Keeping Your Finger on the Pulse: 

Pulse Grain Society of Australia Inc

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