Angela Hammond (NSW Nth)

I live in Inverell in northern NSW. My husband and I moved here three years ago after wanting to return westward to the landscapes and communities where our lives first began. During my university years in Armidale, I regularly travelled through Inverell on the way home to Hebel and always thought it was a beautiful and welcoming town.

When the opportunity came to relocate, we took a closer look, loved the feel of the region, and made the move. Inverell is wonderfully positioned—far enough west to feel connected to the country we love, yet still well-connected to both Brisbane and Sydney—which suits both our lifestyle and work commitment.

My motivation to join APEN stems from a strong connection to extension and adoption throughout my career. When I was working with MLA, I attended the APEN Conference in Darwin and delivered a presentation. I was genuinely impressed by the quality of the discussions, the openness of the people, and the shared passion for practical, meaningful extension work. APEN immediately felt like “my people”—a community that aligns closely with my professional purpose and the work I care deeply about.

My three core values: Integrity. Collaboration. Stewardship. Integrity guides how I show up in my work and community, ensuring that trust, honesty, and fairness underpin all decisions. Collaboration reflects my belief that meaningful change in agriculture happens when people come together with shared purpose. Stewardship captures my commitment to caring for land, people, and communities—supporting sustainable, resilient agricultural systems for the long term.