Theresa Chapman’s CV takes diversity to a whole new level.

As the recently appointed Scheme Operator on the Dial Blythe and Kindred North Motton irrigation schemes, Theresa draws on an extensive range of skills and experience.

Building labourer, crew member on a research vessel, agricultural consultant, speaker and researcher, field officer, PhD candidate researching soil ecology, drought resilience project officer and community storm and flood resilience planner with SES are all listed on her CV.

“I have a great passion for the land, nature and farmers, so working with farmers to make sure they can access irrigation water where and when they need it is a great fit for me,” Theresa shared.

“My roles have varied from a salty sailor to a soil ecologist – and even counting out thousands of googly eyes in my parents’ small craft supplies wholesale warehouse – so I’m used to thinking on my feet, coming up with solutions and communicating with a wide range of stakeholders.”

As a Scheme Operator, Theresa is enjoying getting to know the farmers in communities along the north west coast and ensuring Tasmanian Irrigation’s infrastructure is fit-for-purpose, delivering thousands of megalitres of high-surety water to parched paddocks.

In her own time, Theresa has an interest in natural building projects and loves to be in the garden.

She grew up in Brisbane and then moved to “smaller and smaller towns”, including Townsville, Bellingen, Oban and North Ballachulish in Scotland.

“I have been on the north west coast of Tasmania for 17 years and am loving the village life in Penguin,” Theresa said.

“I just wanted to get out from behind a work desk, so it’s great to be able to manage vegetation, service valves, trade water and inspect property outlets on all the farms. I love learning and there is so much in this role that is brand new for me.

“There is no doubt that Tasmanian Irrigation water has completely changed the economic structure of the area. I walked into a shed the other day and found about 50 people in there working with broccoli.

“There are so many great stories of marginal grazing enterprises being converted to high-value cropping – all because of Tasmanian Irrigation water.”