Meet our AgVet training experts
Welcome to our Facilitators page, where you’ll meet the dedicated professionals who bring years of expertise and industry knowledge to Agsafe's training programs. Our facilitators are leaders in agricultural chemical safety, regulatory compliance, and emergency response, with real-world experience in a variety of sectors. They’re committed to providing the highest quality training, ensuring that AgVet professionals are equipped with the skills and knowledge to handle chemicals safely and responsibly.
Blake Basell | Western Australia
Blake has over 20 years of experience in the agriculture, warehousing, and logistics industry, with a strong focus on safety management, emergency response, and training. He spent 10 years working with one of WA’s largest agricultural resellers and another 10 years with Nufarm Australia, where he served as State Logistics Manager. Blake’s expertise also includes managing Dangerous Goods compliance and training for a national transport company.
Vince Critchley | South Australia
Vince has a strong background in workplace health and safety (WHS), load shifting, and high-risk operations such as forklift training. With over two years of experience working with organisations like Carlisle Learning & Development and Australian Civil & Mining Training, Vince has also served as a WHS advisor for Heathgate Resources at a uranium mine, ensuring compliance in high-risk environments. Vince holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, as well as WHS.
David Jensen | Northern Queensland
David brings extensive experience across training, agribusiness, defence, aviation, maritime, technology, and mining. He spent nine years as a commercial grower of tropical exotic fruit in North Queensland, building on a career that includes 17 years in customer-facing global roles with Caterpillar Inc. and a decade as an avionics systems technician with the Royal Australian Air Force. His expertise covers training, relationship management, technology, and product testing, underpinned by a strong focus on work ethic, discipline, WHS, and customer service. David holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, an Associate Diploma of Communications Electronics, and trade qualifications as an Aircraft Radio Technician.
Hamish Mines | Victoria
Hamish brings nearly 30 years of experience across agribusiness, agronomy, training, and business development. His career spans senior roles in sales, research and development, marketing, and strategic leadership across both Victoria and Western Australia. Most recently, Hamish worked at Longerenong College as Training Manager and a Crop Agronomy and Agribusiness Teacher, supporting the development of the next generation of industry professionals. Hamish’s background is underpinned by strong expertise in agronomy, strategic planning, leadership, and customer service, along with qualifications including a Graduate Diploma of Strategic Business and an Advanced Diploma of Agriculture.
Stephen Wentworth | Southern/Western New South Wales and Northern Territory
Stephen brings over 20 years of experience in the agribusiness sector, having worked as a consulting agronomist and research manager. He has held senior roles across New South Wales, South Australia, and globally as a research manager for a leading provider of agricultural market research. Stephen holds a Master of Science in Agriculture (Research Agronomy) and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, both from the University of Sydney, and a Graduate Certificate in Regional Development from the University of Western Australia.
Colin West | Northern New South Wales
Colin brings over 40 years of experience in agricultural and regulatory roles. He started his career in a family farming partnership before transitioning to technical and agronomy roles with Schering AG and Elders. He then spent over two decades as a Dangerous Goods Inspector with WorkCover NSW (now Safe Work NSW). Colin holds a Diploma of Applied Science in Agriculture, a Graduate Diploma in Education, and a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment.