The National Irrigators’ Council has elected a new leadership team at its annual general meeting in Canberra. This includes the appointment of Jenny McLeod as the first female chair and Rosalie Auricht as vice-chair, alongside two new board members, Jenna Bell and Ben Fessey.
National Irrigators’ Council CEO, Zara Lowien, welcomed members’ commitment to embrace these industry leadership roles and emphasised the importance of diverse representation within the organisation.
“We are excited to welcome a new board with a strong diversity of locations, industry roles, age and gender to the organisation,” she said.
Jenny McLeod, who serves as the Policy and Communication Manager at Coleambally Irrigation Co-operative Limited (CICL), brings extensive experience in water policy and a passion for resilient agricultural communities driven by living and farming in Finley, New South Wales.
National Irrigators’ Council acknowledged the contributions of outgoing chair Jeremy Morton, who dedicated six years to the council, including four as chair. Ms McLeod addressed members and expressed gratitude for Mr Morton’s leadership and commitment to the industry, which started as secretary of the Wakool Rice Growers Association branch 28 years ago.
Ms McLeod said, “Jeremy has worked hard to ensure we operated with integrity; our views were expressed clearly and based on building consensus within the industry and beyond. “Jeremy was committed to presenting an informed, highly analytical approach and continually challenging our way of thinking, which has served our industry well.”
Ms Lowien said, “As we look to the future, the new leadership team is committed to continuing to build a responsible and sustainable irrigation industry while protecting water property rights for future generations of farmers and their communities.
“As we continue to strengthen the organisation from the ground up, our board will also adapt and change so that we can ensure a reflective, vibrant and forward-thinking approach to national irrigation issues”.
Following the annual general meeting, the complete list of directors includes Jenny McLeod (CICL); Rosalie Auricht (Renmark Irrigation Trust); Michael Murray (Cotton Australia); Bernie George (Australian Food and Fibre); Caren Martin (South Australian Murray Irrigators); John Shannon (Border Rivers Food and Fibre); Phil Snowden (Murray Irrigation Limited); Michael Drum (Macquarie Food and Fibre); Jenna Bell (Murrumbidgee Groundwater/Murrumbidgee Private Diverters) and Ben Fessey (OLAM Orchards Australia).
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