The Board

The GWMWater Board is diverse and multi-faceted, with men and women from all different working and educational backgrounds. Our Board is skills-based and appointed by the Minister for Water. It represents the varied interests of the Grampians Wimmera Mallee region.

The Board is responsible for GWMWater's management in a number of areas. The Board's central purpose is to set the broad strategy and objectives of GWMWater. In doing this, the Board also has responsibility for risk management, organisational efficiencies and compliance, reporting and reviewing.

There are also four standing committees of the Board:

• Environment and Works Committee
• Audit Governance and Risk Committee
• Water Resources Committee
• Remuneration Committee

Peter Vogel OAM

Peter is a long established primary producer in the Watchem area and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the water industry and primary production. Peter is Chairman of the GWMWater Board of Directors.

Peter is also the Chair of the Remuneration Committee and is an ex-officio member on all Board committees.

Caroline Welsh

Caroline is a partner in Renney Farms, the family grain farm in Berriwillock. She is a Director of the Birchip Cropping Group and has previously worked for State government in extension, irrigation development and climate variability. Caroline holds a Master of Agribusiness (Marketing), a Graduate Diploma of Rural Resource Management and a Bachelor of Agriculture Science. Caroline is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Caroline is Deputy Chairperson to the GWMWater Board of Directors and also chairs the Environment and Works Committee.

Andrew Nicolaou

Andrew has been a director of State Trustees Limited and STL Financial Services Limited since 2016. He is a recognised leader in Financial and Risk Management Reform, Governance and Performance in the Public Sector, with significant experience in large government business enterprises including the water sector, rural sector and relevant departments. Andrew has significant experience with government and private sector boards, and audit and risk committees. He has a strong knowledge of financial management, risk and regulatory frameworks. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Economics and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Andrew is Chair of the GWMWater Audit Governance and Risk Committee.

David Jochinke

David is a broad acre mixed farmer at Murra Warra north of Horsham. He is President of the Victorian Farmers Federation, Vice President of the National Farmers Federation and Chair of the Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnership. David is a Nuffield Scholar, Australian Rural Leadership Fellow and has a Diploma of Applied Science.

Elisa de Wit

Elisa is a partner in the Melbourne office of international legal practice Norton Rose Fulbright. She leads the Melbourne environment practice and is a national head of the firm’s climate change and sustainability practice. Elisa has over 28 years’ of legal experience and has practised in three Australian jurisdictions and the United Kingdom. Elisa holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Bachelor of Arts, a Masters of Environmental Law and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. She is a Director of the Carbon Market Institute and Beyond Zero Emissions and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Linda Kwok

Linda is the Director and Principal of LHLK Architects, based in Horsham. She has over 20 years’ experience in the construction industry with senior project architect roles in various major infrastructure projects in Victoria. Linda is a Board Director of the Wimmera Health Care Group and chairs the project control groups. Linda has also taught at University of Melbourne and Federation University in the Environmental Design, Construction Management and Applied Management degree programs. Linda holds a Bachelor of Architecture, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Planning and Design (Urban Design) and a Master of Business Administration. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Scott Williams

Scott is a professional consultant with skills in corporate governance, management, strategic planning and foresight. He has a veterinary and agribusiness background and his career has included farm consultancy and management of agricultural research and development across a broad range of sectors, including wool, livestock and horticulture. Scott holds a Bachelor and a Master of Veterinary Science and Graduate Diplomas of Management and Strategic Foresight, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mark Williams

Mark Williams is a Board Director and is also GWMWater's Managing Director.