A sixth-generation farmer, Cathy McGowan’s life has been characterised by strong family and community connections, and a love for rural Australia.

As a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, Cathy committed to the vision of a “prosperous caring rural Australia alive with opportunities for everyone”. 

She believes AgriFutures Australia is the premier national organisation for delivering on her commitment, particularly helping build a nation with effective rural policies based on prosperous and caring industries.

Prior to her role at AgriFutures Australia, her career highlights include representing the rural electorate of Indi in Parliament from 2013- 2019.

Cathy’s successful grassroots campaigns sparked nationwide interest in the potential of community-based, independent politicians to chart a new course for Australian democracy, demonstrating that when politics relates to a community, the power of a community is unleashed.

During her two terms as a politician, from 2013-2019, Cathy worked in Federal Parliament to develop policy around regional development, a national integrity commission, a code of conduct for politicians, and drought policy.

Cathy was awarded The Accountability Round Table award for political integrity in 2019 and is also an Officer of the Order of Australia and a Churchill fellow.

Among her many highlights from years of involvement in and leadership of rural and regional organisations, was Cathy’s presidency of Australian Women in Agriculture and her establishment of the Women and Dairy discussion groups across the country.

Cathy lives very contentedly on her hilltop farm in the Indigo Valley in north-eastern Victoria and is now on a different campaign trail, encouraging others to turn up, speak up and step up to leadership.

Andrew has over 20 years experience across commercial property, product development, placemaking, branding, marketing, user experience, start-ups, media, events & tech industries.

His family has been involved in commercial property for three generations and he is an investor in over a dozen commercial property projects. He has experience across Australia, SE Asia, U.K. and in the U.S. where he worked with major developers like Related Companies and Ashkenazay Acquisitions.

With a powerful mix of experience as an investor, property developer, experience designer and start-up founder; he brings a wholistic approach to creating great places that work in the real world.

Pivot City Innovation District

Pivot City Innovation District, is recognised as a key employment project in the Geelong region by both government and independent authorities.

Curated with onsite restaurants, gardens, gyms, events and complementary businesses, Pivot City Innovation District is about creating places where people love to work, can tap into instant networks and drum up new partnerships.

The most vital component to the success of Pivot City are the people and the tenants who grow their businesses here.  Within 6 years of growth, the site is home to more than 50 dynamic businesses and organisations, housing over 1,000 onsite jobs. With a dynamic mix of innovation, industry, tech, government, professional services, creative and community organisations alongside Runway incubator and co-working space.

Over 1,000 onsite jobs Australia’s fastest commercial internet 4,000 sqm of garden spaces 2022 UDIA Award Winner — Best Urban Renewal Project (National) 2021 UDIA Award Winner — Best Urban Renewal Project (Victoria) 2021 UDIA Award Winner — Best Regional Project (Victoria)