WE ARE VICWATER
WE ARE Victoria’s peak industry association representing Victoria’s 18 water corporations and a number of other water sector organisations.
WE UNDERSTAND that collaboration lies at the heart of what we do.
WE KNOW that our members are better together, united to influence policy and regulation, plan for future challenges, generate shared value, promote best practice and build an innovative and robust water industry.
WE ARE agile and responsive to the needs of our members and the ever-changing environment in which they operate.
WE BRING people and organisations together to identify and deliver targeted projects that result in greater efficiencies and innovation.
WE VALUE strong leadership and strengthen sector governance by delivering development and networking opportunities for the director and executive cohort.
WE PROVIDE an effective vehicle for Victorian water corporations to benefit from shared learnings, investments, experimentation and risk-sharing, achieving real dollar industry efficiencies, and developing a common voice with stakeholders on key sector issues.
OUR BOARD
The VicWater Board of Directors provides a foundation to support the Victorian water industry. With six elected individuals from the VicWater membership, our directors represent the metropolitan, regional and rural sectors of the water industry ensuring a balanced perspective of issues and initiatives.
Chair
David Middleton
(appointed 23/05/2022)
David became the inaugural Chair of the Greater Western Water Board on 1 July 2021.
Prior appointments include City West Water Board Chair from October 2015 to June 2021 and Director at Yarra Valley Water from October 2011 to September 2015. David has over 30 years of industry operational and executive experience.
David holds bachelors and masters degrees in engineering, an MBA from Deakin University and is a Graduate Member of the AICD.
Deputy Chair
Therese Tierney
(appointed 23/05/2022)
Therese is an experienced CEO, Board Director and Chair. She has held CEO and senior management roles in metro Melbourne and regional Victoria, and in both the private and public health sectors and local government as both a Councillor and General Manager.
Therese is currently the Chair of East Gippsland Water, Chair of the Gippsland Primary Health Network and Maryvale Private Hospital and a Director at Omeo District Health. In 2021 she was appointed as Chair of the Gippsland Regional Partnership and a member of the Regional Development Advisory Committee.
Therese also works as a consultant, providing strategic and innovative solutions to challenges with business, change management, health/business planning and design, people and systems thinking. This also includes supporting Boards to improve their governance and create a positive and accountable culture.
Director
Charmaine Quick
(appointed 23/05/2022)
Charmaine Quick joined Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) with more than two decades of experience in the water industry and a strong history in leading change.
Prior to her appointment at GMW, Charmaine was the Executive General Manager, Service Delivery at Melbourne Water. Charmaine 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’s qualifications include Bachelor of Civil Engineering, Melbourne University, and Master Environmental Science, Monash University. Charmaine is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
Director
Nicola Hepenstall
(appointed 23/05/2022)
Nicola was appointed to the South Gippsland Water board on 1 October 2019.
Nicola is a highly skilled strategist with extensive experience in C-suite leadership roles, holding Executive Director and Non-executive Director positions spanning marketing services, research, education and member organisations. With over 25 years experience in evidence-based consulting, she has worked with State and Federal Government departments and many of Australia’s largest companies helping them navigate the complexity of the communications environment and develop strategies to enhance business and social outcomes.
Nicola is currently a Director of The Front Project and has previously held directorships of Haileybury College, Clemenger Group Limited and Chair of the Association of Market & Social Research Organisations.
Nicola holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours in Psychology) and is a Graduate of the AICD. Nicola was the Australian Marketing Institute’s Certified Practising Marketer of the Year 2018.
Director
Victor Perton
(appointed 23/05/2022)
Victor became a Director of Yarra Valley Water on 1 October 2015.
Victor is the founder of the Australian Leadership Project and the author of ‘The Case for Optimism: The Optimists Voices.’
Victor’s experience in governance includes service on boards including Transport Accident Commission, the Global Integrity Summit, the Australian Centre for Financial Studies and patron of the Digital Leadership Institute.
Victor has chaired public sector inquiries and committees on technology, justice, equal opportunity, regulatory efficiency, subordinate legislation and several other topics. Victor’s current work includes advice on optimistic leadership, Australian leadership, integrity and strategy.
Victor brings 18 years’ experience as a Parliamentarian, practice as a barrister, mediator, arbitrator, businessman, private sector board service and mentor. He is a former Commissioner to the Americas promoting foreign direct investment in Victoria, supporting Victorian exporters, building global supply chains and expatriate and alumni networks.
Director
Helen Symes
(appointed 1/1/2024)
Helen was appointed to the Coliban Water board on 1st October, 2017.
She is also the chair of the Audit, Risk and Finance Committee.
Helen is a Certified Practising Accountant and has over 28 years of diverse finance experience across a wide range of industries from healthcare, emergency services, corporate agriculture, media and public practice. She has held senior finance roles in both private and government organisations, including Ambulance Service Victoria, Warakirri Pty Ltd and Wimmera Health Care Group. She is also a partner in a dryland farming enterprise.
Helen is also a Director of CVGT Australia, chairing the Finance Committee.
Helen’s qualifications are a Bachelor of Business (Accounting), Graduate of the AICD, Diploma of Financial Planning, and Certificate IV in Agriculture.
Director
Stephen Brown
(appointed 8/11/2024)
Stephen Brown was appointed a Director of North East Water in October 2015. He was appointed Board Chair in October 2023.
Stephen Brown has held senior executive positions in the banking and finance industry with KPMG, ANZ, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, RSD Chartered Accountants and Rural Finance Corporation. He has held various other governance roles and is currently a director of Vision Super and an independent member of the City of Greater Bendigo Audit and Risk Committee.
Having completed a Bachelor of Business (Accounting), Stephen is a Chartered Accountant. He is also a registered Company Auditor, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Stephen is a member of the board’s Audit and Finance Committee, People and Culture Committee, Opportunity and Risk Committee and the Transformation and Major Projects Committee.
Director
Scott Williams
(appointed 8/11/2024)
Scott was appointed to the Central Highlands Water board on 1st October, 2021.
Scott is a consultant providing technical, management and governance services to the animal health and agriculture industries. He has Bachelor and Masters degrees in Veterinary Science, Graduate Diplomas of Management and Strategic Foresight and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
His career of over 30 years has included roles in veterinary practice, farm consultancy, the agvet pharmaceutical industry and agricultural research and development.
Scott is a Director of the Australia Wool Testing Authority Ltd, a Board Member of the Sovereign Hill Museums Trust, the Deputy Chair of the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (Vic) and a member of the Advisory Board to the Melbourne Veterinary School Board.
OUR STAFF
VicWater has a small team of hard working staff that represent the Victorian water industry peak body association.
Chief Executive Officer
Jo Lim
Jo joined VicWater in March 2019 and was appointed as CEO in July 2022.
Jo started her career in the federal public service, before holding senior executive roles in the IT sector and management consultancy.
Jo has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of Melbourne, and a Diploma of Business and Diploma of Management from Swinburne University.
Jo is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), and a member of the Australian Water Association.
Chief Operating Officer
Tara Daniel
Tara joined VicWater on Secondment in March 2022. Tara has worked in the water sector since 2006, holding various technical and strategic roles in both the UK and Victoria, most recently as the Manger Business Intelligence at Goulburn Valley Water.
Tara holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (hons) from UNSW and a Master of Chemical Engineering (by Research) from RMIT.
Tara is currently studying a Graduate Diploma of Economics from the University of New England.
Policy and Regulation Manager
Stuart Craven
Stuart Craven joined VicWater in October 2022 as the Policy and Regulation Manager.
Stuart was previously employed by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (and its predecessors) for 23 years. His last 18 years were in the department’s water group where he was involved in a number of major water projects and state-wide programs.
Stuart’s experience within the Victorian water sector and his extensive networks will be an asset for VicWater.
Stuart holds a Bachelor of Science and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Engagement Manager
Lauren Vines
Lauren joined VicWater in November 2015 and is responsible for managing the development and delivery of VicWater’s communications and events strategies, plans and activities, including maintaining effective ongoing engagement with members, stakeholders and sponsors.
Prior to working at VicWater, Lauren managed high level corporate events and weddings for Peter Rowland Catering at NGV, (National Gallery Victoria) and prior to that, managed marketing alliances and events at VACC, (Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce).
Lauren’s formal qualifications include Public Relations, Marketing and Event Management.
IWN Program Director
Jason Cotton
Jason joined Intelligent Water Networks (IWN) in 2023 from Greater Western Water (GWW) where he was the Manager of Innovation and Continuous Improvement.
Jason played a key role in the integration of GWW by leading the Operations Stream Integration.
Jason has an extensive innovation career in the Utilities Sector, small/medium enterprise and the education sector.
He holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree from Flinders University and a Certificate of Management from Mt Eliza Business School. Jason also studied under Gary Hamel at the Innovation Academy in the US.
IWN Deputy Program Director
Isobel Decru
Isobel joined Intelligent Water Networks (IWN) in 2024 from South East Water and RMIT University.
At South East Water, she was part of the Research, Development, and Innovation team, working as a research officer with a focus on biosolids.
At RMIT, she was the Deputy Centre Manager for the ARC Training Centre for the Transformation of Australia’s Biosolids Resource.
She holds a Bachelor of Science from Monash University, majoring in Environmental Science.
Administrative Assistant
Linna Fang
(Part time)
Linna joined VicWater as Administrative Assistant in 2021 and assists with the administrative duties including job posts and room bookings at the VicWater office.
