Welcome to
Far West Young Farmers
Your gateway to the future of agriculture in the vast and vibrant region of Far West New South Wales!
At Far West Young Farmers, we're more than just an association; we're a dynamic community of young individuals passionate about shaping the agricultural landscape of our region. Our roots run deep in the rich soils of Far West NSW, and we're committed to nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Our Mission
"Far West Young Farmers is dedicated to fostering the next generation of rural leaders by building a strong, supportive community of young people passionate about agriculture. We strive to preserve and grow the future of farming in the Far West through education, innovation, and hands-on experience. Our goal is to connect, inspire, and empower young farmers to create a thriving, sustainable future for the outback."
Why Farmers Matter
Farming isn’t just a job—it’s a way of life. Farmers feed our communities, fuel industries, and preserve the land for future generations. In an ever-changing world, young farmers are the future of rural Australia, ensuring food security, sustainability, and innovation in agriculture. That’s why we’re here—to support, educate, and connect the next wave of agricultural leaders.
Join Us
Whether you're a seasoned farmer, a budding agricultural enthusiast, or someone simply curious about rural life, there’s a place for you here. Through our diverse range of programs, events, and resources, we provide opportunities for knowledge exchange, skill development, and meaningful connections. From workshops on sustainable farming practices to networking events with industry experts, we’re dedicated to equipping our members with the tools they need to succeed.
Claudia Simounds
PRESIDENT
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PRESIDENT .
Claudia Simounds is President of the FWYF Committee and is based in Broken Hill. A fifth-generation producer, Claudia grew up on her family’s sheep and cattle station south of Tibooburra, giving her a deep connection to the Far West of New South Wales and the agricultural industry.
Currently taking a break from her career to focus on raising her young son, Claudia remains closely involved in rural life. Outside of work, she enjoys mustering on the family property, spending time with her family, attending events and meeting new people. She is passionate about supporting young people to enter and remain in agriculture, recognising the increasing challenges around land affordability and industry viability.
“Supporting young people to get into the industry and maintain their place in agriculture is something I am incredibly passionate about,” Claudia says. “I think it is extremely important there is a next generation, and I hope young Australian families continue to have the opportunity to work the land.”
In the year ahead, Claudia is excited to work alongside new FWYF committee members, bring fresh ideas to the table and continue delivering events, agricultural training and education across the Far West of New South Wales.
Sammy Anderson
VICE PRESIDENT
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VICE PRESIDENT .
Sammy Anderson is the Vice President of the Far West NSW Region committee and is based in Broken Hill. Originally from the Eyre Peninsula, Sammy was first drawn to the Far West through her work in wool classing, travelling back and forth between South Australia and New South Wales. Over time, the region became home after she met her now husband and settled in the area.
Sammy works as a wool broker with Fox and Lillie Rural, combining her strong connection to the wool industry with a passion for supporting producers and the broader agricultural sector. Her career has given her a deep appreciation for the people, resilience and opportunities that exist within the industry.
Outside of work, Sammy spends most of her time being a mum and raising her family. She also runs a wedding photography business on the side, enjoying the creativity and connection that comes with capturing special moments. At home, she loves spending time in her vegetable garden and is passionate about growing as much of her family’s food as possible in their backyard.
Sammy believes the future of agriculture is incredibly exciting, with constant innovation and new opportunities always emerging. She is particularly passionate about the wool industry and sees a strong future for wool as a natural, sustainable fibre with an important place in the world.
“As an industry, there is always innovation and the next big exciting thing around the corner,” Sammy says. “I’m particularly passionate about the wool industry. Wool is such a great fibre and has such a strong green story that I believe it has a real place in the world in the future.”
Looking ahead, Sammy is excited about everything the Far West NSW Region committee has planned for the year. From practical events focused on bookkeeping and helping people become the best contractor they can be for both themselves and their employer, to the social side of the committee, she is looking forward to another fantastic ball, to be held at the end of the year.
Kate Bright
SECRETARY
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SECRETARY .
Kate grew up on a sheep and cattle station that has been in her family for five generations. While she moved to town at 17 to work full-time during a severe drought, her passion for agriculture never wavered. Now working in the heavy machinery and truck mechanical industry, Kate continues to support farmers across Far West NSW by ensuring they have the tools and equipment they need to keep their operations running smoothly.
Although she doesn’t contract outside her family’s property or plan on moving back home, Kate is deeply committed to ensuring there are enough skilled hands to keep the agricultural industry thriving in the Far West. She remembers a time when finding an experienced contractor was nearly impossible, and while there is now a strong wave of talented young workers coming through, she believes in the importance of ongoing education and mentorship to keep skills and knowledge at their best.
Kate is passionate about the broad scope of FWYF’s workshops and programs, which cater to everyone—from station owners and farm managers to contractors and those completely new to the industry. With land prices making it harder for young farmers to enter the game, she finds it incredibly rewarding to help provide the latest education and resources to the next generation, whether it’s technology systems, chemical applications, butchering, shearing schools, or evolving best practices in grazing.
She believes that by supporting, listening to, and educating young people in agriculture—regardless of their role—the Far West can continue to grow as a strong and sustainable industry.
When she’s not working or contributing to FWYF, you’ll most likely find Kate enjoying a pub night with friends, checking out the sunset, or embracing the simple joys of country life—like eating chops on the back lawn in summer. She rarely wears feminine clothes but loves any excuse to get really dressed up. Just don’t offer her anything remotely spicy!
Sally Crozier
TREASURER
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TREASURER .
Sally grew up on Wilandra Station, 170km northeast of Broken Hill, alongside her four brothers. She completed her primary schooling through Broken Hill School of the Air before attending Yanco Agricultural High School for her secondary education. Since then, her passion for the land and the agricultural industry has shaped her career, leading her to work across multiple aspects of the industry.
In 2014, Sally began her hands-on experience at Delamere Station in the Northern Territory, working in the camp for Australian Agricultural Company (AACO). She then spent 2015 traveling across Queensland, the NT, and WA, working alongside Ron Wall breaking horses, delivering horsemanship schools, and competing in camp drafts and challenges. In 2016, she returned home to Wilandra Station and established herself in contract mustering and wool classing throughout the Far West.
By 2018, Sally and her husband launched their own business, TESA Pastoral, providing a wide range of rural services with a specialty in mustering. Alongside their contract work, they also run their own Merino and Dorper sheep across Far West NSW. Now based in Broken Hill, Sally continues to balance running their business, bookkeeping, and raising their three young children.
“I have been part of FWYF since its founding in 2019, and this is now my fourth year as Treasurer— a role I really enjoy. Being involved in FWYF has given me the opportunity to connect with like-minded people who share the same passion for agriculture. I love being part of a group that is dedicated to creating opportunities for young people in an industry that means so much to me.”
Sally’s vision for the Far West is to see more young people take up the many opportunities available in agriculture. She hopes to help upskill and attract new workers to the region, ensuring the industry remains strong and sustainable for future generations.
When she finds a rare spare moment, Sally enjoys working her horses and dogs—though between business, bookkeeping, and three kids, those moments are few and far between!
Contact Sally:
📍 Facebook: TESA Pastoral
📧 Email: tesa.pastoral@gmail.com
Georgia Turner
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
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SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER .
Georgia Turner has a long-standing connection to the Far West of New South Wales. Growing up, she spent many of her school holidays visiting her grandparents in the Ivanhoe area, developing an appreciation for the region and its people. Later in life, her connection to the Far West grew even stronger when she met her fiancé, who lives on a property near Mossgiel.
Georgia works within the red meat supply chain for beef processor In her role, she supports producers with carcase compliance and market access, helping ensure livestock meet supply chain requirements and assisting producers to achieve the best possible outcomes. Drawing on her background in agriculture and business, Georgia is passionate about building stronger connections between producers and the broader supply chain.
She believes the future of agriculture is incredibly exciting, with innovation continuing to transform every part of the industry. From new technology and improved communication to stronger feedback loops across the supply chain, Georgia sees significant opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen sustainability and maintain Australia’s competitiveness on a global scale.
“The people within the industry are truly our greatest asset,” Georgia says. “It is fantastic to see the next generation coming through with so much to offer, and I think our industry is getting better at communicating, collaborating and creating opportunities for the future.”
Georgia is particularly passionate about supporting rural communities and helping people gain a better understanding of the red meat supply chain. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in the Far West, connecting with local communities and meeting new people.
Looking ahead, Georgia is excited to meet more people across the Far West region through FWFR and help deliver valuable events, education and opportunities for the community. She hopes to see the committee continue to grow, strengthen connections and support local people to develop new skills and confidence.