Vinehealth Australia, the South Australian statutory body charged with safeguarding the State’s vines from pests and diseases, has had three new Board members appointed by the Hon. Clare Scriven MLC, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development.
The new Board members, appointed following an independent selection process, are Dianne Davidson AM, Iain Jones and Krysteen McElroy. The trio will join current Directors Dr Jo Luck, Dr Sally Troy, Mr Alex Sas, and Mr Nick Secomb in selecting a Chair at the next meeting in December.
“The three new board members all bring extensive industry experience, and together with our continuing Directors, offer a great diversity of skills to ensure Vinehealth Australia delivers important biosecurity results for the South Australian grape and wine community,” said Suzanne McLoughlin, Acting CEO of Vinehealth Australia.
A Board Nominations Committee oversaw the selection process and comprised representatives from the South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA), Wine Grape Council of South Australia (WGCSA), South Australian Vine Improvement Association (SAVIA), as well as the outgoing Chair of Vinehealth Australia and an Independent Chair.
In a statement about its new Board members, Vinehealth Australia, said: “Dianne Davidson AM BAgrSc, MSc, is an agricultural scientist and an experienced horticulturist, specialising in winegrape production and soil and water management. Di is a vineyard owner and a long-time board Director with more than 25 years of experience. Di founded the highly regarded company Davidson Viticulture which for 26 years provided consulting and management services to table and wine grape producers throughout Australia and internationally. In 2015, Di was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in recognition of her services to the winemaking and horticulture industries and to higher education administration.
“Iain Jones BSc, MSc, is Head of Research and Development, Quality and Compliance at Treasury Wine Estates. Iain is responsible for leading the development and implementation of TWE’s Science and Technology Strategy and has more than 23 years of experience in the wine industry.
“Krysteen McElroy GAICD, is co-owner of a Limestone Coast family business that owns a vineyard. Krysteen is an experienced CEO and Board Member with more than 15 years of board-level experience across not for profit, government and private industry, with extensive experience in broadacre agriculture, viticulture and rural communities.”
A key role of the Board is to oversee implementation of the Vinehealth Australia Strategic Agenda 2021 to 2026, working alongside the South Australian grape and wine industry and government to protect vines from biosecurity risk and to advance vine health.