Campbell Town farmer and Tasmanian Wool Centre Director Judith Lyne and former Managing Director of Bellamy’s Australia and Maggie Beer Holdings Laura McBain have been appointed Non-Executive Directors of Tasmanian Irrigation.

Mrs Lyne brings more than 40 years of practical experience in the agricultural sector, working with her family on their diversified sheep, cattle and irrigated cropping farm Riccarton in the Midlands, as well as extensive knowledge from sitting on numerous community boards, councils and committees.

“Our own irrigation system has grown from a small circle of potatoes watered by a single gun spray in the 1980s to a multi-pivot system with water delivery from many sites today,” Mrs Lyne said.

“I am absolutely passionate about the future for farming and rural communities in Tasmania, as well as the potential that reliable and cost-effective irrigation water presents.”

Ms McBain was instrumental in increasing annual revenues of Bellamy’s Australia from $3 million to $240 million, and was named the 2013 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year (Private and Corporate). She has worked as an accountant in Sydney and Launceston, is a current Non-Executive Director of Lark Distilling Ltd and Capitol Health Ltd, and an independent consultant to Australian infant formula and food companies.

“The work that Tasmanian Irrigation has undertaken to date has provided significant benefits for the Tasmanian community, as well as promoting investment and economic development into the future,” Ms McBain said.

“I have extensive experience in managing complex supply chains from farm to domestic and export markets, and understand the enormous challenges for farmers to deliver sustainable agricultural outcomes, as well as profitable business ventures.”

Tasmanian Irrigation Board Chairman Samantha Hogg said Mrs Lyne and Ms McBain would add important voices and skill sets to the existing Board, comprising Dr John Whittington, Ms Abigail Foley and Mr Guy Kingwill, whose term expires in November.

“Tasmanian Irrigation looks forward to Judith and Laura working collaboratively with us to set future strategic direction for the Company’s important water delivery and project development operations,” Ms Hogg said.

“With Tasmanian Irrigation’s water delivery capabilities set to double from the current 133,000 megalitres, there has never been a more important time for the benefits of this unique public / private funding model to be realised.

“Tasmanian Irrigation is a proud economic enabler and plays a critical role in assisting the Tasmanian Government to achieve its target of increasing the farmgate value of the State’s agricultural sector to $10 billion a year by 2050.”

For more information, please contact: Sarah Hirst M: 0448 906021 E: sarah@sarahhirststrategy.com.au