National Irrigators Council's newly elected chair Jenny McLeod with CEO Zara Lowien.
Finley’s Jenny McLeod has become the first woman to be elected chair of the National Irrigators’ Council.
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Mrs McLeod was inducted into the top job at the NIC AGM in Canberra last week, taking over from Moulamein-based former chair Jeremy Morton.
Rosalie Auricht was appointed vice-chair, and two new board members - Jenna Bell and Ben Fessey - were also welcomed into the fold.
CEO Zara Lowien welcomed the commitment by members to embrace these industry leadership roles, 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.
Mrs McLeod is the policy & communication manager at Coleambally Irrigation Co-operative Limited (CICL).
She brings extensive experience in water policy and a passion for resilient agricultural communities, driven by living and farming in Finley.
In welcoming Mrs McLeod to the top job, NIC acknowledged the contributions of Mr Morton as outgoing chair.
He had dedicated six years to the council, including four as chair.
Mrs McLeod addressed members and expressed gratitude for Mr Morton’s leadership and commitment to the industry, which started when he was secretary of the Wakool Rice Growers Association branch 28 years ago.
“Jeremy has worked hard to ensure we operated with integrity,” Mrs McLeod said.
“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 the new-look committee would be looking to the future with positivity.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
The full list of NIC directors is as follows: 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).
CEO Zara Lowien with outgoing chair Jeremy Morton.
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