MEET THE TEAM
Where passion meets purpose, and industry education meets learned expertise.
THE FACES BEHIND THE NORTHERN ADELAIDE PLAINS FOOD CLUSTER
Here, you'll discover the passionate individuals and dedicated board members who drive the Northern Adelaide Plains Food Cluster. Each member brings unique expertise and a shared commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and community growth.
Get to know the faces behind our mission and learn how their diverse talents contribute to our success.
Joe Coluccio
Joe has recently joined the Northern Adelaide Plains Food Cluster with a background as the Business & Industry Advisor for the Virginia Horticulture Centre, Joe has been instrumental in fostering the growth of the Food Cluster.
Beyond his professional experience, Joe brings a passion for farming, winemaking, and gastronomy, which enriches his approach to this role.
GENERAL MANAGER
Mobile: 0413 208 182
Email: joe@northernadelaideplains.com.au
CONTACT DETAILS
Nicolette Colangelo
Nicolette has a background in both agricultrue and marketing. Growing up on the family farm, Rainbow Fresh, she developed a deep connection to farming, with many of her fondest memories rooted in farm life. With over three years of marketing experience within the industry, Nicolette brings a unique blend of practical farming knowledge and strategic marketing skills. She is passionate about advancing the agricultural sector and finding innovative ways to grow and promote the industry.
MARKETING COORDINATOR
CONTACT DETAILS
Mobile: 0404 526 565
Email: nicolette@northernadelaideplains.com.au
Barrie Lloyd
CHAIRPERSON
Ian Lewis
INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE
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Ian is a seasoned market development and value chain specialist with extensive experience delivering food and agribusiness projects across Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. For the past 15 years, he has operated his own consultancy, working with a diverse portfolio of clients across the industry.
Ian is also a contributor to Asiafruit and Produce Plus magazines, where he researches and writes in-depth business stories.
Earlier in his career, Ian held various roles at PIRSA, most notably as Program Manager, Market Development. In this position, he was responsible for planning and delivering the market development program under South Australia’s State Food Plan (2002–2007), with a strong emphasis on export growth.
Ian O’Loan
INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE
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Ian O’Loan OAM is a sixth-generation farmer and irrigation expert from Pt Gawler with over 30 years’ experience in agriculture and regional development. He played a key role in advancing horticulture on the Adelaide Plains as Chair of the Yorke Regional Development Board in 2007. Passionate about water management, Ian has worked closely with the NAIS program, NAPFC, and SA Water since 2019.
He is a registered company director and accredited livestock biosecurity auditor, with deep ties to the saleyard industry. Ian continues to manage his family’s broadacre and pastoral holdings at Mallala and Burra.
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Barrie is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Accountants of Australia and New Zealand and has over 50 year’s experience providing advice to the Accounting Industry as a Tax practitioner and Company Auditor.
Over my working life I have always given back to the community in which I have lived serving as Treasurer and chairman of various Not for Profits and sporting Boards.
In my Role as chairman I bring to the Board experience chairing meetings, understanding Financial Statements, governance and as an owner and operator of a Protected Cropping Farm on the Northern Adelaide Plains I have working knowledge of how to maintain a sustainable Protected Cropping Farm.
Juliet Tripodi
INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE
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Juliet Tripodi is deeply involved in her family’s horticulture business, Rainbow Fresh, which has been growing fresh produce for over 50 years. As a second-generation salad producer based in the Adelaide Plains, she has played an integral role in expanding the Rainbow Fresh brand, developing strong distribution networks, and promoting the “paddock to plate” message.
With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Juliet has witnessed and adapted to the changing demands, complexities, and consumer expectations within horticulture. While her family background sparked her career path, she also pursued other interests, earning a Bachelor of Social Work. This training has been invaluable in managing people and problem-solving—essential skills in a tight-knit agribusiness community.
Juliet also spent 10 years collaborating with Indigenous growers on sustainable business development, creating employment opportunities and partnerships under the brand “Matjarra.” She is a proud advocate for women in business, recognising the unique perspectives and contributions women bring to the horticulture industry.
Passionate about building and strengthening community and leadership strategies, Juliet is committed to making a meaningful impact within the horticultural sector.
“This industry is the backbone and future of the country… it will never run low on opportunities or growth.”
Richard Hartley
INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE
Holly Le
INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE
Paul Petrie
NON-VOTING MEMBER
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Professor Paul Petrie is the Program Leader of the Irrigated Crops group at the South Australian Research and Development Institute; he also holds the roles of Affiliate Professor at Adelaide University and Associate Professor at Flinders University.
Paul has extensive experience in the Australian wine industry which includes working in research and extension at the Australian Wine Research Institute and as the National Viticulturist at Treasury Wine Estates. He grew up helping his parents establish a vineyard on their irrigated grain and vegetable farm in New Zealand and completed a B.Hort.Sci. and a PhD at Lincoln University before moving to Australia for a role at CSIRO.
Paul’s research focuses on supporting the resilience of Australian orchards and vineyards, improving their productivity and ability to adapt to climate change. He also has an active interest in the application of technology to the horticultural industry and has previously developed smartphone based systems to monitor crop water status and disease severity. Paul also supports a wide range of horticultural projects, including the development of high-density almond and apricot orchards and the assessment of the recovery of apples and cherries after bushfire damage.
Anne Minion
NON-VOTING MEMBER
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Anne Minion is an experienced economic development, small business and community recovery professional based in regional South Australia. She has founded and operated several successful businesses and currently supports local enterprises through her role with Adelaide Plains Council. Anne brings extensive experience in business development, tourism, community engagement and disaster recovery, including work with Australian Red Cross following major emergencies. She is passionate about strengthening regional communities, the horticultural community of the Adelaide Plains, supporting small and family businesses, and creating practical opportunities for people to connect, grow and succeed.
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Richie Hartley has over 20 years’ experience in vegetable and grain production across the Riverland and Adelaide Plains. Raised on a small mixed arable and dairy farm in the UK, he brings a lifelong foundation in agriculture and practical farming experience.
Based in the Northern Adelaide Plains region, Richie is Farm Operations Manager for one of South Australia’s leading vertically integrated potato and onion enterprises, overseeing large-scale production focused on efficiency, quality, and supply chain performance.
He is a keen supporter of industry collaboration and is actively involved with other SA Regional Grower Groups. Richie is passionate about contributing practical grower insight and supporting the ongoing development of the horticulture sector in the Northern Adelaide Plains.
MEET THE GROWERS
Harvesting Quality, Cultivating Community