Nick Young
Flinders Black Garlic – Mornington Peninsula – Vic
Nick joined the AGIA in 2020, in 2021 was elected to a Board position and in 2023 joined the Board executive as Treasurer until 2024 .
Nick farms garlic using organic and regenerative principles on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria..
In 2024, Nick won a 2024 Nuffield Scholarship to ‘Find ways to grow ‘greener’ organic garlic
Nick’s research aligns with AGIA’s strategic plan to help address garlic supply, production, climatic and sustainability challenges.
Simon Walker
Willamay Farms, Tenthill in the Lockyer Valley - QldÂ
Simon joined the AGIA Board in 2024 and was elected to Vice Chair in 2025.
Simon and his team grow organic vegetables as well as garlic. He started growing mixed and conventional garlic in 2020 and sell via their on-line store along with their processed garlic range.
Simon believes that we need more Australian Garlic growers and to continue to educate the Australian public about the benefits of local grown garlic verses the imported product for quality, taste, and the environmental perspective. The end goal being to reduce the amount that is imported.
Australian Garlic is the best!
Amanda Rofe
Balmattum Garlic – North of Euroa, Vic
Amanda starting growing garlic in 2019 on her farm located near Euroa, Vic.
In 2022 Amanda was one of four Victorian farmers selected for CQUniversity Australia’s Female Farmers of the Future project which is being delivered in partnership with the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub’ Birchip Cropping Group’ Food and Fibre Gippsland’ and Riverine Plains.
Amanda manages the Social Media for AGIA.
Damir Biki
Hoddles Creek Garlic, Hoddles Creek, Victoria
In January Damir stepped up to fill the role of Acting Treasurer whilst Nick was on temporary leave. In October 24 he assumed the role of Treasurer, and was formally nominated at the 2024 AGM.
In Damir’s part of the country the rainfall in this area is over 1.5 m per year, which is very wet for Garlic so he grows it in a greenhouse in waist-high beds. His greenhouse is 800 sqm, which can grow approx. 42,000 plants – planted densely in mid-March and harvested mid-November.
Damir has been growing garlic since 2018 and uses soil moisture probes to activate his dripper line irrigation system.
Joel White
Arawata Garlic, Arawata, SW Gippsland, Victoria
Joel joined the AGIA board as a casual member in August 2022 and was formally elected at the following AGM.
Joel previous experience was in the commercial food industry. He started growing garlic in 2018, but his principle business is beef cattle fattening grass fed accredited Black Angus.
Joel practises re-generative / biological farming and has a strong focus on soil health. In 2022 he grew 8000 plants and was planning to move into a commercial phase in 2023.
Dr David Rutley
Kilkea Barossa Garlic – South Australia
David joined the AGIA as a casual board member in early 2024 and was formally nominated at the 2024 AGM.
David has been growing garlic since 2002 and in recent years has produced garlic powder commercially using regenerative garlic techniques.
David runs a small consulting and project management business, has a PhD in Animal Selection and Marketing from the University of Adelaide and has worked both commercially and as a research scientist across all sectors of the red meat value chain: from consumer analysis, food service and retail through distribution, processing and production to genetics.
Belinda Lambert
Edward River Produce Garlic – Deniliquin, NSW
Belinda is a part time farmer based in Deniliquin NSW and started growing garlic in 2018. Belinda also works part time as an extension Officer for a Farming Systems Group and Knowledge Broker for the Future Drought Fund’s Southern NSW Drought Innovation Adoption and Resilience Hub.
Belinda was the AGIA Secretary from 2019 till 2024 and brings experience in agriculture extension, communications, technology and governance, and a passion for growing garlic.
Vele Civijovski
Garlic Kingdom Australia – Badja Forest Farm, Snowy Mountains - NSW
Vele was elected to the board in 2025 and specialises in growing rare and specialty heritage garlic varieties through non conventional methods using no till raised garden beds
Vele also conducts garlic planting and diverse variety tasting workshops and provides guidance on garlic cultivation to groups and individuals throughout the community, schools and other institutions.