Directors

Llew Vale has extensive governance and water industry experience and expertise in primary production. Mr Vale has been a farmer for 35 years at Toora, and is a former Councillor and Mayor of the Shire of South Gippsland. Mr Vale was awarded an Order of Australia in 2002 for services to the water industry and community. 

Qualifications: BBus, FCA, MAICD

Jennifer Dawson from Bendigo has broad skills in finance, governance and the water industry. Ms Dawson has been a part time director of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd since 1999, and was a director of Coliban Water from 2000-2010. Ms Dawson has a Bachelor of Business (Accounting), is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dennis Moon is a business owner from Rochester with expertise in customer engagement. Mr Moon is a tomato grower and operates three other businesses. He is the former chair of the Australian Tomato Processing Research Council and is the tomato representative on Horticulture Australia Limited. Mr Moon was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship.

Neil Pankhurst has practical experience in primary production and customer engagement. Mr Pankhurst is an irrigator dairy farmer from Tongala who has been a Councillor and now Mayor of the Shire of Campaspe. He has been the captain of the Yambuna Fire Brigade and chair of Tongala & District Financial Services.

Sarah Scales is a business and risk management consultant and also owns a mixed farming enterprise near Mansfield. She was previously the General Manager, AWB International in addition to other senior management positions with AWB Limited. Ms Scales has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and has completed the Stanford Executive Program.

Ian Mansbridge a fourth generation farmer from Pompapiel and has extensive experience in banking and finance with expertise in risk management and governance. Mr Mansbridge was, until 2008, Head of Special Projects at the Bendigo Bank Ltd. He is the deputy chair of Sandhurst Trustees and has held a number of director positions with other organisations. He has a Diploma of Corporate Management and is a Certified Practising Accountant.

Frank Whitford from Northwood has valuable managerial experience and skills in business management and governance. Mr Whitford is the Managing Director of Furniture and Bedding Concepts. He is a member of the board of PrimeSafe Victoria. Mr Whitford has an Associate Diploma of Business Studies and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.

Prior to starting at Goulburn-Murray Water, Gavin Hanlon was Managing Director of Coliban Water and previous to this the Chief Executive Officer of the North Central Catchment Management Authority.

He is Fellow of the Institute of Management, a Graduate of the Institute of Company Directors and a Williamson Fellow.

Gavin Hanlon became the Managing Director of Goulburn-Murray Water in August 2011.