Undera dairy farmer Sarah Parker has been appointed as chair of the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA).
Ms Parker replaces outgoing chair Helen Reynolds, who held the position for four years.
The new chair brings experience from a range of roles within the agricultural industry – both pre and post-farm gate and community services.
Ms Parker also has fulfilled director roles on regional, state and national boards with recent experience including representing Australia at the United Nations and in France as part of a National Farmers Federation looking at Sustainable Farming Practices.
“A great strength of the GBCMA is that it engages with and represents the whole community. While the core business is natural resource management, the GBCMA team works to benefit the community and region as a whole.
“There are many opportunities our region could seize and there are also many challenges we will face.
“The new board brings together a unique set of people who will provide strategic input to the work of the organisation and be engaged across the region working with our partners and our community.”
She said the board contained diverse strengths and established networks in the community and in business.
“I’m looking forward to working closely with the executive and overall team. The GBCMA is held in high regard in the region and I look forward to continuing the work of my predecessors alongside the new and continuing board members.”
Other board movements include the departure of longstanding member Nagambie beef farmer Ron Harris.
Ms Parker thanked outgoing chair Helen Reynolds and Ron Harris after their decisions to step down.
“Helen has been on the board for eight years and Ron has served for seven years. They’ve contributed greatly to the health of the catchment and the organisation.
Lima East farmer and Landcare employee Damien Gerrans is a new addition to the board along with former Worksafe Victoria and VicRoads CEO John Merritt.
Leanne Miller, Les McLean, Sarah Parker, John Merritt, Amanda McLaren, Damien Gerrans, Jodie Smith, Adrian Weston