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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Joanne Butterworth-Gray Board Chair, Digital Transformation Committee Chair Joanne Butterworth-Gray is a transformational leader whose 45-year career spans agribusiness, government and executive roles. She is renowned for fostering mindset shifts and championing adoption of innovative technologies and sustainable practices across Australian farming communities. Her collaborative, entrepreneurial approach has modernised industry organisations, embracing contemporary governance to address complex challenges in food security, climate impact, energy transition and digital innovation. Joanne’s experience as a professional chair and non-executive director covers large capital projects, asset modernisation, land management, utilities, agribusiness and legal frameworks. Her commitment to emerging technologies is strengthened by completing the AI Fluency for Directors course at the University of Sydney. Passionate about climate mitigation and adaptation, she drives outcome-focused strategies and has led industry-wide moves toward new technologies and circular economy practices. Key accomplishments include: 2002 RIRDC runner-up, 2006 becoming the first female CEO of Victoria’s wine industry and, in 2013, leading governance transformation at a maximum-security prison. |
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Michael Browne Director, People, Safety and Culture Committee Chair Michael has over two decades of experience in planning, project management and asset delivery within the water industry. His roles at Sydney Water, Yarra Valley Water and across the sector have shaped his expertise in urban water cycle management, which he brings to Southern Rural Water. A Barkandji-Wamba Wemba man from rural New South Wales, Michael works collaboratively to embed integrated water management policies and enhance planning for Country. He champions approaches that incorporate Traditional Owner’s goals as a foundational understanding to strategic planning that further informs technical approaches. Michael advocates for inclusive water management, ensuring community and cultural values remain central. His vision prioritises water as a shared community asset, integrating sustainability, emerging technologies and long-term resilience into decision-making. |
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Jackson Chatfield Independent Aboriginal Board Delegate Jackson is a proud Gunditjmara-Kirrae Whurrong man born and raised on Country in Warrnambool, south west Victoria. He is now based in Port Fairy. He currently serves as Executive Officer of the Birrarung Council, providing cultural and strategic leadership to advise the Victorian Government on protecting the Birrarung (Yarra River) under the Yarra River Protection Act 2017. Jackson supported DEECA’s water catchment group’s preparations and responses to the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s Land Injustices Inquiry, deepening his insight into Victoria’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. His previous roles include Statewide Aboriginal Landcare Facilitator with the Victorian Landcare Program at DELWP and Cultural Ambassador for the Victorian Nature Festival. Through these roles, Jackson has championed Traditional Owner involvement in environmental management and strengthened cultural knowledge-sharing across the sector. |
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Brendan Flynn Director Brendan brings extensive expertise in finance, economics, and government policy from both 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 has given him a deep understanding of economic and social policies. He recognises the vital role of water and agriculture in Victoria’s economy and sees Southern Rural Water as essential in delivering sustainable resources. Passionate about rural communities, Brendan listens to customer concerns, advocates for effective water management, and promotes the value of water services. He is eager to contribute to Southern Rural Water’s vision of excellence in rural water management. |
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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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Michelle McCrum Deputy Chair, Governance and Compliance Committee Chair Michelle brings over 30 years of strategic leadership and extensive experience in cultural change and digital technology consulting. Living in a rural, agricultural community and married to a fifth-generation farmer, she understands firsthand the challenges of climate change and the importance of water security in farming. As Chair of the Governance and Compliance Committee, Michelle ensures Southern Rural Water upholds strong oversight, transparency and ethical decision-making. She engages in multiple rural communities actively listening to farmers, working to explore solutions and opportunities for support. Committed to the future of rural water management, Michelle continues to study cyber, digital technologies and AI to guide the next generation through emerging technologies to meet evolving industry challenges. |
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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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Anthony Scarff Director, Audit and Risk Committee Chair Anthony brings energy and a deep commitment to economic and environmental sustainability at Southern Rural Water. With over 20 years’ experience across finance, strategy and business administration, he takes a holistic approach to ensuring customers and communities continue to benefit from a strong organisation. Throughout his career, Anthony has transformed businesses, modernised systems and created efficiencies to improve customer service and operational success. His expertise supports Southern Rural Water’s focus on water management, benefiting farmers, customers and the environment. |
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Andrew Smith Director Andrew is an experienced agribusiness and commercial banking leader with more than 35 years working across regional Australia in executive, director and advisory roles. He has held senior positions in agricultural finance, business banking, strategy and organisational leadership, and is recognised for his strong stakeholder engagement and practical understanding of farming communities. Andrew is currently CEO of Farm Trade Australia. His previous roles include senior executive positions with Rural Finance, Rural Bank and Bendigo Bank, where he led national agribusiness teams, research and marketing functions, and major strategy, growth and transformation initiatives. Earlier in his career, Andrew worked in valuations, relationship management and regional leadership roles across Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales. Raised in Bairnsdale, Andrew brings a deep personal and professional connection to regional Victoria and a long-standing commitment to the sustainability and prosperity of rural industries. He holds qualifications in agricultural science and business (property) and is a registered valuer. |
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Kylie Steel Director Kylie comes from a five-generation legacy of apple and cherry farming in Bacchus Marsh, where she has witnessed business practices evolve in response to climate change and emerging technologies. Major environmental events, including the Millennium Drought and Black Saturday bushfires, shaped her career, inspiring further studies in bushfire science and the establishment of SCB Consult, a specialist consultancy in climate change, bushfire science and emergency management. A passionate advocate for sustainability and resilient farming, Kylie prioritises risk management and strong relationships with farming communities. She also serves on the Resilient Building Council of Australia, Bushfire Building Council and Barwon Health Foundation. |
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Scott Cornish Acting Managing Director 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. |
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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Rachael Lunn General Manager Service Delivery Rachel is responsible for leading Southern Rural Water’s service delivery functions, with a strong focus on delivering safe, strategically smart, fair and reliable services collaboratively with our customers and community. Having joined Southern Rural Water in late 2025, Rachel brings more than 20 years’ senior leadership experience in London and Victoria across state government, local government and the private sector. Her professional background spans compliance and regulation, statutory and strategic planning, engineering, environmental, corporate, legal and customer service functions, supporting a strong understanding of operational service delivery in complex regulatory and community settings. A values-led, people-first transformational leader with significant experience in business and productivity improvement, customer service uplift and cultural renewal, Rachel has formal qualifications in a range of applied science and leadership disciplines as well as project management and change management. As a Chartered Planner, Chartered Surveyor and Chartered Environmentalist, she is a member of the Society for the Environment, Australian Institute of Company Directors, Planning Institute of Australia, the Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the Property institute of Australia. |
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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. |
