Our board
Southern Rural Water’s board currently comprises of eight board members including the Managing Director and seven non-executive directors.
The chair and non-executive directors are appointed by the Minister for Water; the Managing Director is appointed by the board.
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Ms Joanne Butterworth-Gray Chair Joanne is a highly accomplished leader with a 45-year agribusiness and regional leadership legacy. Her extensive farming and water policy knowledge has been pivotal to her role as Chair of the Southern Rural Water board. Her diverse career, spanning across agriculture, agritourism and executive roles within the Victorian wine industry and Victorian Government, has been instrumental in fostering a shift in agribusiness mindsets and promoting the adoption of innovative technologies and sustainable agribusiness practices in Victorian farming communities. An entrepreneur by nature, Joanne has contributed to transforming the Gippsland agricultural region and establishing a collaborative sector-based approach to agriculture that encompasses all food and fibre production. Joanne’s hands-on experience as a farm gate agritourism business owner for 14 years has instilled a profound understanding of customer needs and a deep appreciation for collaborative work. Joanne sees her role at Southern Rural Water as an advocate for the Victorian food and fibre economy and is committed to leading Southern Rural Water as an agile and future-ready business partner for food security and through the regional renewable energy transition. Her forward-thinking approach and unwavering dedication to agribusiness are evident in the various Chair positions she holds, including with Fairtrade Australia & New Zealand. She is highly strategic and facilitates conversations to ensure everyone can contribute and feels respected and valued. |
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Mr Michael Browne Director For over two decades, Michael has worked in planning, project management and asset delivery across the water industry. Through his positions at Sydney Water and Yarra Valley Water and roles in integrated water management (IWM) across the Victorian Government, Michael brings expertise in urban water cycle management to the Southern Rural Water board. A Barkandji-Wamba Wemba man from rural NSW, Michael is currently working closely with Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation to help embed IWM policies, improve planning for Country and support effective water allocation conversations. He recognises Traditional Owner aspirations must be met through collaboration. Through his engagements with water corporations, government agencies and the community, Michael advocates for optimistic collaboration to address challenges and opportunities across Southern Rural Water's service area. Michael's vision extends to treating water as a valuable community asset, with water corporations, such as Southern Rural Water having a social responsibility to manage this resource. He envisions an industry that places the community and cultural values at the core of decision-making for water management. Michael is dedicated to fostering open conversations and to deep listening to understand the diverse needs and challenges within communities. He seeks to integrate flexibility into decision-making processes to ensure that these include consideration of future generations and challenges, such as drought, emerging technologies and shifting community expectations. |
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Mr Jackson Chatfield Independent Aboriginal Board Delegate Jackson is a proud Gunditjmara-Kirrae Whurrong man born and raised on Country in Warrnambool, South-West Victoria. After moving to Melbourne in 2016 to pursue work and personal opportunities, he returned home to his Country and is now based in Port Fairy. He has been serving as the Executive Officer for the Birrarung Council since March 2022 where he provides cultural and strategic leadership. The Birrarung Council, established under the Yarra River Protection (Wilip-gin Birrarung murron) Act 2017 (the Act), provides advice to the Victorian Government on protecting and improving the Birrarung (Yarra River) and its lands. Jackson also supported DEECA’s Water Catchment Group preparations for and responses to the Yoorrook Justice Commission's Land Injustices Inquiry. This experience gave Jackson great insights into the State's water reform agenda and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities to support Aboriginal self-determination and strengthen Traditional Owners’ role in Victoria's water sector. Jackson has also served as Statewide Aboriginal Landcare Facilitator with the Victorian Landcare Program at DELWP as well as a Cultural Ambassador for the Victorian Nature Festival. You can read more about one of Jackson's most important places on Country and why the history of Australia is important to him here: https://www.vic.gov.au/nature-festival-smoking-ceremony |
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Mr Brendan Flynn Director Brendan brings a wealth of expertise in finance, economics and government policy analysis from the private and public sectors to the Southern Rural Water board. His experience as Deputy Secretary at the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance and the Department of Premier and Cabinet provides a deep understanding of economic and social policies. With a strong economic background, Brendan understands the importance of robust financial management and the pivotal role water and agriculture play in the broader Victorian economy. He recognises the significance of a thriving agricultural sector for Victoria and sees Southern Rural Water as a crucial entity that delivers a vital resource for the environment, economy and communities. Brendan also understands the importance of local agriculture and the integral role the agricultural sector plays within rural communities. He actively listens to customers to understand the challenges and issues associated with rural water management and places great importance on promoting the value of water and the services Southern Rural Water provides. Brendan is the newest member of the Southern Rural Water board and is excited to contribute to fulfilling the vision of delivering exceptional value to customers and the community through excellence in rural water management. |
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Mrs Catherine Jenkins Director Cath Jenkins lives with her family on their beef farm at South Purrumbete in South West Victoria, where they ran a dairy enterprise for over 15 years. A former Chair of Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and Vic Catchments, Cath is currently a member of the Victorian Agriculture Climate Change Council and a Board member of Western Victoria Primary Health Network. Passionate about Victorian agriculture and sustainable rural communities, she brings together practical farming experience and strong leadership in regional development and the water sector. In addition to governance roles, Cath owns and operates, Rural People Co., providing consulting and facilitation services to organisations and agribusinesses across regional Australia. |
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Mrs Michelle McCrum Director and Chair of People, Safety and Culture Committee Michelle is the longest-serving member of the current Southern Rural Water board and brings over 25 years of strategic expertise and leadership experience to the organisation. Married to a fifth-generation farmer and living within the agricultural community, Michelle sees the impacts of climate change and water security firsthand and understands how important water is to farming and the economy. Michelle prides herself on listening to customers to understand their needs but also helping farmers consider new solutions and exploring how Southern Rural Water can assist them. She considers the full ecosystem in which customers, communities and Southern Rural Water interact. As Chair of the People, Safety, and Culture Committee, Michelle is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive workplace for staff. Her advocacy for diversity and cultural safety underpins the importance she places on creating an environment where individuals feel heard and valued. Michelle is excited about Southern Rural Water’s future and is empowering the next generation of board members and executives by sharing her knowledge and experience to help them navigate challenges, such as evolving technologies and liabilities. |
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Mrs Claire Miller Director Claire is a senior executive with expertise in rural and environmental water policy and management, national water reform, stakeholder and community engagement, communication, and government relations. As a water policy specialist and a former journalist, she has more than 40 years experience immersed in complex operating environments on the frontline of resolving issues in water, climate change, agriculture and environment. On a crowded planet, Claire is passionate about breaking down the false binary of agriculture vs environment, and going beyond idealism to find practical solutions to improve river health and keep family farms in production. Having been involved in the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in various government and industry roles since its inception in 2007, Claire knows intimately the socioeconomic impacts and environmental limits of water reform. She is focused on ensuring that hard lessons learned in the north will pave a smoother pathway to sustainable, affordable water supplies in the south. |
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Mr Anthony Scarff Director and Acting Chair of Audit, Risk and Governance Committee Anthony brings a vibrant curiosity and energy to the Southern Rural Water board and is deeply committed to the economic, agricultural and environmental sustainability the corporation provides for our community. |
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Mr Andrew Smith Director Andrew is an engaging, influential and passionate agribusiness industry leader with over 35 years in agriculture and commercial banking in executive, director and consulting roles. A trusted advisor to Board Chairs, Directors, CEO’s and Executives. Renowned for positive engagement with internal and external stakeholders. Agribusiness specialist who has operated at executive and general manager level and has worked in locations and industries across regional Australia, and today is the CEO for Farm Trade Australia. Can shift culture and deliver compelling strategies, organisational growth, transformation, corporate governance, customer and employee experience, audit, and risk management. Andrew grew up in Bairnsdale, Victoria and completed tertiary studies in agricultural science and then business (property). A registered valuer who started out as a graduate with the Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria, and over 10 years progressed through valuations and relationship management roles before being appointed as Regional Manager – Gippsland. Then moved to Westpac in relationship manager and regional manager roles before taking on a national agribusiness strategy role in Sydney head office, and then Head of Commercial & Agribusiness Banking for North Queensland, based in Townsville. Andrew then returned to Rural Finance as General Manager Agribusiness, leading the sales, valuations, marketing, valuations and industry research functions before the business was sold to Bendigo Bank and integrated with Rural Bank, their specialist agribusiness arm. Andrew then joined the Rural Bank Executive as General Manager Agribusiness and took on the national leadership of the Agribusiness sales teams. Over time Andrew also moved into senior leadership roles with Bendigo Bank, including Head of Business Banking. Andrew is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Program and has completed executive leadership training at Columbia Business School and Monash Mt Eliza. |
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Ms Kylie Steel Director Kylie comes from a family with a rich legacy in orchard growing, spanning five generations of apple and cherry farmers in Bacchus Marsh. As a member of a farming family, Kylie has seen business practices modernise and evolve in response to climate change and emerging technology. Significant environmental events, such as the Millennial Drought and Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria, have helped shape Kylie's career. These events motivated her to pursue further studies in bushfire science and establish SCB Consult, a business dedicated to providing specialist consulting on climate change, bushfire science and emergency management. Her forward-thinking leadership and passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of people and the communities she serves are evident in her commitment to sustainability, environmental protection and resilient farming practices. Risk management is ingrained in Kylie's work, and she sees the benefits of establishing strong relationships with farming communities to prepare for future climate change challenges. She actively seeks to build these connections to further her understanding of stakeholders' evolving needs and help build Southern Rural Water into a future-ready organisation that supports farmers. Kylie is also a member of the Expert Technical Panel of the Resilient Building Council of Australia and the Bushfire Building Council of Australia and a director of the Barwon Health Foundation. |
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Mr Cameron FitzGerald Managing Director As Managing Director, Cameron is passionate about providing water services that enable the prosperity of the agriculture sector. He deeply respects the work of farmers who put top quality, healthy and nutritious food on our plates and is driven to deliver world class water services to enable their prosperity. Cameron has led crucial water security initiatives, playing a pivotal role during the Millennium Drought through his leadership of the Target 155 task force which set new water-saving behaviours for Melbourne, with many still being practised today. He understands the wider value that sustainable long term water management creates for both regional and urban communities. He is committed to planning for a water future that is sustainable in the face of a changing climate. His highlights at Southern Rural Water include generational changes in infrastructure through modernisation. This has opened opportunities for expanded access to agricultural and environmental water, and broke new ground by issuing of the first ever water licence to Traditional Owners in Victoria. A key aspect of Cameron's role is empowering people to succeed. He does this by assembling a diverse team, amplifying all voices, agreeing on pathways together and translating innovative ideas into impactful actions and results. |
Our executive team
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Stuart Wrigglesworth General Manager Finance, Safety and Risk As our CFO Stuart is responsible for supporting and delivering financial management as well as oversight of our risk management framework. Stuart is also responsible for our safety and delivering on our value of ‘always safe’. Having grown up on a family farm supplied from the Macalister system, Stuart joined Southern Rural Water as Finance Manager in late 2005 and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in March 2011. He has 6 years’ experience working in professional practice for PriceWaterhouse Coopers in Melbourne and South Africa, as well as over 5 years in the UK working in Finance and Accounting roles for a number of commercial and public sector businesses. Stuart holds a Bachelor of Commerce and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. |
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Scott Cornish General Manager, Asset Futures Scott is responsible for developing and delivering SRW’s capital plan including critical modernisation projects, with a focus on outstanding asset management and dam safety management. With 19 years of experience as a Civil Engineer in private consulting for diverse clients, including State Government Authorities, Local Government, and private industry Scott joined SRW Executive Team in July, 2021 bringing with him a wealth of experience as a Civil Engineer and multi-disciplinary senior leader having managed programs across teams in the Middle East, India, South Australia, New South Wales, metropolitan Melbourne, and rural Victoria. Scott joined SRW, from Western Water, with a personal commitment to the sustainable growth and well-being of local communities. |
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Simon Wilkinson General Manager Strategy, People and Culture Simon is responsible for leading our strategic water resources and environmental planning, business performance and pricing. In addition, he is responsible for communications and engagement activities for customers, stakeholders, and communities and leading our people and culture teams to drive excellence at Southern Rural Water.
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Melissa Jeal Corporate Secretary Melissa is responsible for corporate governance and compliance. Melissa joined Southern Rural Water in April 2021, having previously held senior governance and finance positions. With over two decades in the public sector, she brings a strong background in leading, developing and implementation of best practice frameworks in governance, compliance, risk management and finance. She holds a Bachelor Business (Accounting) and is a member of the Governance Institute of Australia and Certified Practicing Accountants. |