Three industry leaders were celebrated for their contribution to the Western Australian grains industry at the 2024 Grain Industry Association of Western Australia (GIWA) Annual General Meeting, held on Wednesday 9 October.
Beaumont grower Lyndon Mickel, current Deputy Chair of the GIWA Barley Council and past Board Chair, and Independent Board Directors Kerry Regan and Mark Narustrang, resigned from their Board positions at the AGM.
Incumbent GIWA Chair Tress Walmsley, who was uncontested in her nomination after serving one year as Chair, said the departing Directors had provided invaluable leadership of the grain industry association.
“Together, Lyndon, Kerry and Mark have spent more than two decades supporting the direction of GIWA,” Ms Walmsley said.
“This dedication and commitment is outstanding and has really impacted how GIWA delivers its industry-good work for the WA grains value chain.
“On behalf of all current GIWA Board and Commodity Council members, I applaud their dedication and thank them for their service.”
In addition to their departure from the GIWA Board, Lyndon and Mark were also recognised with GIWA Life Memberships.
“GIWA life membership recognises a significant contribution to the Association, and Lyndon and Mark have exemplified this over their tenure on the Board and Council. Our Association and our industry are all the better for their involvement,” Ms Walmsley said.
Board representatives were also announced for the five GIWA Commodity Councils, which are made up of dedicated volunteers from the whole of the grain supply chain including a large proportion of grain growers.
The following delegates were confirmed to represent the Councils on the GIWA Board:
- Wheat Council Chair – Tracy Lefroy, grower, Bindi Bindi
- New Barley Council Deputy Chair – Linda Hewson, grower, Broomehill
- Oat Council Deputy Chair – Ashley Wiese, grower, Highbury (formally Oat Council Chair)
- Oilseeds Council Chair – Peter Bostock, Pioneer Seeds
- Pulses Council Chair – Steve Powles, grower, Kojonup
Independent seats on the GIWA Board were also confirmed, including:
- Commercial Skills – Eamonn Lanagan, Byfields
- Plant Breeding – Tress Walmsley, InterGrain
- Handling and Storage – Kellie Todman, CBH Group
- Research and Development – Darshan Sharma, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (co-opted)
While up for nomination, the GIWA Chair, Deputy Chair and Treasurer remain unchanged.
A full list of Commodity Council members can be found here