GMW elects new board

Over 200 people applied to join the new board, which will now be accountable to the government.

Goulburn Murray Water (GMW) has a newly appointed board with Campaspe Shire mayor Keith Pankhurst and Rochester tomato grower and business owner Dennis Moon appointed as directors.
The new board is chaired by Llew Vale with Jennifer Dawson, Ian Mansbridge, Sarah Scales and Frank Whitford appointed as the other directors.
Water Minister Peter Walsh made the announcement yesterday and said the board brings a combination of knowledge and expertise in the water industry, primary production, finance, risk management, governance and business.
He said each board member had specific knowledge which would contribute to planning and sound financial management to benefit all G-MW customers.
There was unprecedented interest in these positions, with almost 200 people applying to join the board, Mr Walsh said.
The interest received from across the state is a strong endorsement of the Victorian Coalition Governments new direction.
The new board would be responsible for setting strategies, objectives and targets for the benefit of all G-MW customers and one of the first tasks will be to appoint a new managing-director and to reengage with the customer base,4 Mr Walsh said.
The board will be accountable to Government and we will work closely with them to restore confidence in Goulburn-Murray Waters operations and the delivery of irrigation services so vital to northern Victorias prosperity.
Mr Vale is a beef farmer from Toora who has previously been chair of the Victorian Water Industry Association.
Ms Dawson from Bendigo is a Bendigo Bank director with extensive experience in the water industry, financial reporting and auditing. Mr Pankhurst of Tongala is an irrigator and dairy farmer with practical experience in primary production and
customer engagement.
Mr Mansbridge of Pompaniel has extensive experience in banking and finance and has held a number of director positions within banking, agriculture, food, water and finance industries.
Mr Moon of Rochester  is a former chair of the Australian Tomato Processing Research Council and the tomato representative of Horticulture Australia Limited.
Ms Scales is a business and risk-management consultant and runs a mixed farming enterprise near Mansfield. She was previously the general manager of AWB International.
Mr Whitford from  Northwood has valuable experience in senior management and strong governance skills. He is a managing director of a furniture business and a member of the board of PrimeSafe Victoria.