Directors

Justin Hanney

Appointed: October 2025

Justin is a seasoned leader with extensive experience in public policy, governance, and regional development. He has served as CEO of the Rural City of Wangaratta, City of Melbourne, and Regional Development Victoria, as well as Deputy Secretary in multiple Victorian government departments including Premier and Cabinet, with responsibilities spanning trade, industry, investment, and major projects.  

Justin holds a Master of Public Policy and Governance from Deakin University, a Graduate Diploma of Business Management, and a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University, and is a Williamson Community Leadership Program fellow.

He has been on the Boards of Save the Children since 2018 and Yurringa Energy since 2023, chairs the Australian Regional Leadership Program and is a Senior Partner at Davidson Business Advisory.

Justin previously had a farm in Tarrawingee and now resides in Clonbinane and Melbourne.

Natalie Akers

Appointed: October 2023

Natalie is a dairy farmer from Tallygaroopna, where together with her husband they operate an irrigated dairy farm.

Natalie has held a number of roles in the agricultural and water industry over the past 20 years, ranging from dairy research and extension, to working with milk-processing listed companies and senior water policy analysis.  She is currently involved in various water and community groups. 

For the last six years Natalie has worked as a private consultant on agricultural water policy.  Natalie has a Bachelor of Public Policy and Management with Honours, a Bachelor of Arts and as is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Andrew Cooney

Appointed: October 2023

Andrew has worked for more than 20 years in the Loddon Mallee region and has worked on a number of major projects and joint initiatives that have required engagement with the community and collaboration with multiple government agencies. Andrew is a respected professional with experience in governance, finance, project delivery and community engagement.

Andrew is the Chief Executive Officer of the City of Greater Bendigo and has held previous executive positions across Victoria with the (former) Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Coliban Water and Gannawarra and Loddon shires.

He has been involved in various other community and sport roles including as Chair and Committee Member of Bendigo Strikers Victorian Netball League Team, Chair of the AFL Central Victoria Football Commission, Chair of the Bendigo division of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and as a Board Director with Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE.

Andrew and his wife Chantal live in Bendigo with their four school-age daughters.

Rob McMillan

Appointed: October 2025

Rob is an infrastructure economist and utility sector leader with over two decades of experience in policy, regulation, and commercial strategy across energy, water, and transport. 

He is a director at Farrier Swier Consulting and a member of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s expert advisory panel.

Rob specialises in utility investment, governance, pricing, and stakeholder engagement, and is recognised for his expertise in regulatory design, customer participation, and renewable energy integration.  Based in Heathcote, he advises regulators, utilities, and government agencies across Australia and New Zealand, combining deep commercial and policy understanding with proven leadership in multi-disciplinary teams.

He has held governance roles with Victorian Indigenous Nurseries Cooperative and Open Gardens Victoria, and executive roles at Jemena with accountability for regulation of its electricity, gas and recycled water assets.

Rob holds qualifications in economics, regulatory economics, management, and governance, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Sue Oddie

Appointed: October 2025

Sue is an experienced non-executive director and advisor with deep expertise in business transformation and growth, sustainability strategies, and governance across diverse industries, including financial services and media.​

Sue brings more than two decades of executive and board-level experience leading growth and transformation initiatives, delivering strategic outcomes. She has worked extensively with boards and executive teams to shape strategy, embed governance frameworks, innovate and develop new business models, and develop sustainability strategies and climate transition plans to help organisations achieve net-zero objectives.​

Her career includes senior roles at ANZ Group, including leading transformative initiatives across the Pacific region, and spearheading growth in Australian markets. Earlier, as General Manager of Business Affairs at Network 10, Sue played a key role in the network’s recovery and growth, leading major strategic partnerships, policy advocacy, and industry innovation initiatives.​

Sue is a graduate and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management, a Master of Laws from Sydney University and a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales. She has also completed Business Sustainability Management studies at the University of Cambridge.​

Passionate about advancing sustainable development and regional resilience, Sue contributes a forward-looking perspective to Goulburn-Murray Water’s stewardship of vital water resources and infrastructure.

Kris Peach AM

Appointed: October 2021

Kris Peach AM has more than 30 years’ experience as a finance, accounting, audit and regulatory expert.

She is a former KPMG audit partner and former chair and CEO of the Australian Accounting Standards Board. Kris is an independent member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee of the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and a director of genU, a national disability, ageing and lifestyle services organisation, U Ethical, an award winning ESG investment fund manager, and Permanent Care and Adoptive Families, a small charity. She also sits on a number of International committees.

Kris is a Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and CPA Australia. She has a Master of Business (Accountancy) from the Queensland University of Technology and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Kris was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) in 2023 for significant service to the accountancy profession, and to the community

Liz Ryan

Appointed: October 2025

Liz Ryan is an experienced executive and non-executive director with over 20 years’ experience across the infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, and financial services sectors.

Liz is currently Executive General Manager – Transmission at AusNet, where she leads the safe, reliable, and sustainable operation of Victoria’s regulated electricity transmission network.

She previously held executive roles at ASX listed agribusiness Elders Limited, as well as leadership positions at General Electric, Singapore Airlines, and in management consulting.

Liz is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Diploma of Arts from the University of Melbourne, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Cambridge.

Larna Tarrant

Appointed: October 2023

Larna is a lawyer with experience as both a solicitor and a barrister.  

Larna was on the Board of Echuca Regional Health for nine years, including three years as Chair.

She has a military background with the Royal Australian Air Force, has a Bachelor of Laws and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Paul Weller

Appointed: October 2025

Paul manages a family dairy farm and oversees share farmers cropping 520 hectares near Lockington. He is a former Member of the Victorian Parliament, representing the seat of Rodney from 2006 to 2014.

During his time as an MP he was Chair of the Rural and Regional Committee (2010-2013) and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Victoria from 2013-2014.

He is currently the Chair of Fonterra Australia Suppliers Council, Chair of Water Partners, Chair of National Herd Development, Director of the Page Research Centre, and is a member of the Federal Management Committee of the National Party. Previously, he served as President of the Victorian Farmers Federation (2002-2005).

Paul’s community involvement includes membership of the Lockington CFA and Lockington Landcare.

He has an Advanced Diploma of Dairy Farm Management and participated in the Australian Rural Leadership Program.

Charmaine Quick 

Charmaine commenced as the Managing Director of GMW in 2019.

She has more than three decades of experience in the water industry and a strong history of leading change.

Prior to her appointment at GMW, Charmaine was the Executive General Manager, Service Delivery at Melbourne Water. She is known for her ability to influence and drive change at an organisation level, nationally and internationally for asset management, relationship contract management and customer service.

Charmaine is also a board member of VicWater, Institute of Water Administration and LaTrobe University, Shepparton Campus, Regional Advisory Board.

Charmaine is a long-time Shepparton resident and grew up on the family farm in the Wimmera, which helped her understand the value of water and its importance to the region’s communities.

Charmaine’s qualifications include Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Melbourne University) and Master of Environmental Science (Monash University). She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr Jennifer Mason

Jen, a Wamba Wamba and Dhudhuroa descendant, is passionate about environmental health and First Peoples' caring for Country and natural resource management.

Actively engaged in her communities, she has planned economic and social programs fostering cultural practices opportunities.

As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at ANU, her work documents oral histories, customs, and cultural connections to place. Jen holds qualifications in creative industries, tourism, and business management, and serves on research committees and the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council.

Her creative projects include photography, documentary films, digital art, and writing, reflecting her dedication to preserving and sharing cultural heritage.