Headquarters:
1 Showground Road, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW 2127
Year founded:
1822 and The Education Department in 2021
Number of employees:
4
Phone:
(02) 9704 1197
Email:
education@rasnsw.com.au
Website:
rasnsw.com.au/education
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/rasnsw
“We put our customers at the centre of our business, responding to brokers in a proactive and timely manner and working with the customer to understand their unique risk profile and tailor appropriate solutions”
Erica Kofie, QBE
Duncan Kendall
Head of Education
Imogen Boughey
Agriculture Research Officer
Emily Blackburn
Rural, Regional and Remote Education Officer
Leadership
Duncan Kendall is head of education at the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW. With a career dedicated to innovative teaching, he has held leadership roles at Trinity Grammar, The Scots College and Yeshiva College. He holds a Bachelor of Education (Primary), a Master of Education and leadership credentials from Harvard and Cambridge. A passionate advocate for agricultural education, Kendall was the inaugural head of education. He’s an IB-certified educator and international presenter, including at the IBSC Conference in Canada and EduMind ANZ 2024. Kendall remains committed to inclusive, meaningful learning that connects students to real-world issues.
Head of Education
Duncan Kendall
Imogen Boughey is the agricultural research officer with the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Education team. She holds a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience (Hons I, Production Systems) from the University of Sydney, where she is also completing a PhD focused on alpaca behaviour and faecal microbiome in extensive systems. At the RAS, Boughey coordinates major school-based programs including RAS Farm Days, the Discover Ag STEM Careers Expo and education initiatives at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. She also oversees the Farmyard Nursery and Ag Discovery Pavilion. Boughey co-develops award-winning education resources, including Ag in a Box and professional development workshops.
Agriculture Research Officer
Imogen Boughey
Emily Blackburn holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) and a Bachelor of Education (Secondary). Formerly head teacher of special and inclusive education at Nyngan High School, she now supports the NSW Department of Education’s Rural Learning Exchange through her role with the RAS. Blackburn and her husband run Blackburn Pastoral, a prime lamb and beef enterprise. As a rural mother, educator, and farmer, she brings deep insight into the challenges faced by remote schools. Blackburn has held leadership roles across multiple subjects and was awarded the 2023 Future Women NSW Rural Women Scholarship and the 2022 AWiA NSW Leadership representative.
Rural, Regional and Remote Education Officer
Emily Blackburn
“We put our customers at the centre of our business, responding to brokers in a proactive and timely manner and working with the customer to understand their unique risk profile and tailor appropriate solutions”
Erica Kofie, QBE
“We continue to see cyber as a key opportunity and will be further developing customer-centric solutions across various geographies and segments in line with our growth aspirations”
Erica Kofie, QBE
Leadership
“We continue to see cyber as a key opportunity and will be further developing customer-centric solutions across various geographies and segments in line with our growth aspirations”
Erica Kofie, QBE
“We put our customers at the centre of our business, responding to brokers in a proactive and timely manner and working with the customer to understand their unique risk profile and tailor appropriate solutions”
Erica Kofie, QBE
Leadership
Jessica Ellem
Education Administrator
Jessica Ellem is an Education Administrator at the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS), where she leads the delivery and coordination of innovative agricultural education programs and events.
She is widely known for her exceptional communication and administration skills, which she applies to the Sydney Royal Easter Show School Program, ensuring thousands of students and educators experience hands-on agricultural learning through tailored excursions, workshops and curriculum-aligned materials.
Creative talents have also enhanced the Ag in a Box program, with some highlights being "Beef Cut Puzzle" for the ‘Blazing Beef’ and “Wool Processing Magnet Series" for 'Wicked Wool'.
Her work supports the success of high-impact programs and contributes to the broader mission of agricultural education across New South Wales. Jessica’s dedication continues to elevate the reach and impact of RAS initiatives such as Discover Ag, Farm Day, and Ag @ Home.
Education Administrator
Jessica Ellem
Jessica Bowler
Victoria State Sales Manager
Jessica Bowler has built her career on leadership, genuine care for people and a deep commitment to helping others grow. With a strong background in business development and account management, she excels at building client relationships, strategic thinking and process optimisation. In recent years, Bowler has focused on the education sector, where her passion for people and community has flourished. Beyond her professional work, she volunteers as fundraising manager with 300 Blankets, supporting those experiencing homelessness. Driven by purpose, she is dedicated to empowering others and creating strong, supportive teams that deliver meaningful impact for both clients and the wider community.
Victoria State Sales Manager
Jessica Bowler
With a proud 203-year legacy, the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) has fostered a culture defined by excellence, community and innovation.
Its identity is deeply rooted in educational heritage and service, yet it remains forward-thinking – bridging rural and urban divides through world-class events, educational programs and initiatives that champion the future of Australian agriculture.
The organisation’s flagship event, the Sydney Royal Easter Show, is not just a celebration of Australian agriculture but also a platform for education. Through impactful programs and strong industry partnerships, the RAS connects communities, showcases agricultural excellence and advocates for the sector’s ongoing relevance and vitality.
The RAS’s education team embraces a proactive, purpose-driven mindset, anchored in supporting time-poor teachers and embedding agriculture into the heart of Australia’s education curriculum. By co-designing solutions with educators, they spark curiosity, reduce teacher workload and make agriculture an essential part of every classroom.
Their ethos values real-world relevance, ensuring that every program is:
• engaging
• accessible
• creative
• flexible
Collective leadership has shaped an organisation that is adaptive and capable of responding to the evolving needs of Australian agriculture and education. A pivotal strategy in recent years has been the reinvestment of earnings back into agriculture, as they allocate close to 10–15% of total revenue to regional farming initiatives, directly supporting the sector’s growth and sustainability.
The launch of a dedicated Education Department in 2021 marked another significant milestone, enabling the delivery of curriculum-aligned programs, teacher development and immersive farm experiences that deepen engagement and understanding.
Clients engaging with the education team can expect a passionate, knowledgeable and collaborative experience. The organisation is committed to delivering cutting-edge, student-focused programs that foster creativity, curiosity and connections. From hands-on farm excursions to dynamic digital resources and teacher professional development, the RAS empowers partners to inspire the next generation of agricultural thinkers and problem-solvers.
Their programs are designed to address the growing disconnect between students, especially in metropolitan areas, and the origins of their food and fibre. By making learning relevant, hands-on and engaging, they help students understand the importance of agriculture and the diverse career opportunities it offers. Educators benefit from curriculum-aligned resources that save time, enhance engagement and support differentiated instruction, while students gain stronger connections to STEM, sustainability and real-world problem-solving.
Recognised as a winner in The Educator’s Service Provider Awards 2025, the organisation remains focused on the future and aims to advance agricultural technology education for senior students, as well as develop innovative programs in precision farming, robotics and data analytics. For younger learners, the emphasis will be on agriculture’s role in sustainability, food security and environmental stewardship, preparing the next generation to lead in both technology and sustainability.
Through its unwavering commitment, the RAS stands as a leading influence in shaping the future of agricultural learning.
“We continue to see cyber as a key opportunity and will be further developing customer-centric solutions across various geographies and segments in line with our growth aspirations”
Erica Kofie, QBE
Caroline Jeffries
Dean of Studies
Kane Bradford
Head Professional Practice,
Innovation and Partnership
Constantine Osuchukwu
Reverend
Simon Williams
Chief Strategy & Distribution Officer, Arch Insurance International
and Active Underwriter, Syndicate 1955
Caroline Jeffries has been the dean of studies at Lindisfarne since 2014. She has also held positions in leading schools in Sydney, London and the tertiary sector. Jeffries is a science teacher who joined Lindisfarne in 2004 and has a keen interest in equipping students for life beyond the school classroom.
Dean of Studies
Caroline Jeffries
Kane Bradford oversees the school’s teaching and learning agenda, with a particular focus on harnessing strategic partnerships to the benefit of our staff and students. He brings significant experience from his previous work as a teacher and leader in independent schools to his leadership spanning senior roles at the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).
Head Professional Practice, Innovation and Partnership
Kane Bradford
Constantine Osuchukwu joined Lindisfarne as chaplain in 2021. Previously, he was the parish priest of St Matthew’s in Wendouree, Diocese of Ballarat, Victoria. He has a Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy and Theology), a Masters of Counselling and a Graduate Diploma in Community Development. Osuchukwu brings experience in a variety of parish roles, plus ministry work in prisons and the tertiary sector.
Reverend
Constantine Osuchukwu
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
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