National Irrigators’ Council's newly elected chair Jenny McLeod with CEO Zara Lowien.
A Finley farmer and policy manager has been elected the first female chair of the National Irrigators’ Council.
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Jenny McLeod was elected to replace retiring chair, and Moulamein farmer, Jeremy Morton — who served on the board for six years, with four as chair.
Renmark Irrigation Trust CEO Rosalie Auricht was appointed vice-chair at the annual general meeting, and two new board members joined — Jenna Bell from Leeton and Ben Fessey from the Sunraysia.
Murray Irrigation Ltd director Phil Snowden remains on the board.
National Irrigators’ Council CEO Zara Lowien welcomed the new board, with its strong diversity of locations, industry roles, age and gender.
Ms McLeod, who is the policy and communication manager at Coleambally Irrigation Co-operative Ltd (CICL), brings extensive experience in water policy and a passion for resilient agricultural communities, driven by living and farming in Finley.
She addressed members and expressed gratitude for Mr Morton’s leadership and commitment to the industry, that started as secretary of the Wakool Rice Growers Association branch 28 years ago.
“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,” Ms McLeod said.
“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 they 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,” she said.
The National Irrigators’ Council directors include: Jenny McLeod; 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 Ltd); Michael Drum (Macquarie Food and Fibre); Jenna Bell (Murrumbidgee Groundwater/Murrumbidgee Private Diverters) and Ben Fessey (OLAM Orchards Australia).
National Irrigators’ Council CEO Zara Lowien with outgoing chair Jeremy Morton, from Moulamein.
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