FORMER CBH director candidate and Walkaway farmer Gareth Rowe has been elected to the co-operative’s Grower Advisory Council (GAC).
Mr Rowe, who stood in the District 1 elections earlier this year, will join Kirrilee Warr from Yuna, Chris Antonio from Grass Valley, Helen Woodhams from Kojonup and Bryan Kilpatrick from Wagin on the council from July 1.
At the time of the elections, Mr Rowe campaigned for a better connection between growers and the CBH board.
Mr Rowe said he was looking forward to gaining more experience in the operations of CBH and its management and connecting with more growers.
“I want to be a good conduit to open up good communication from the farmer to the CBH management so we all get what we need,” he said.
“My objective is to make a difference and this is a way to do that and help progress what CBH wants to achieve.”
Nominations for the GAC opened in March with selections made by a panel consisting of four CBH grower directors, including the CBH chairman Wally Newman, GAC chairwoman Michelle Garratt and the CBH government and industry relations advisor.
Mr Newman said it was a difficult and challenging task selecting from such a passionate and experienced field of candidates.
“The Growers Advisory Council is an important conduit between our 4200 growers and the CBH Board and management,” he said.
“It’s essential to be able to use this valuable resource of knowledge to road test ideas and to gather insights and information.
“This year we received another strong talent pool of candidates and it’s gratifying that there is such continued appetite for involvement in our co-operative.
“I warmly welcome the successful candidates to the council and look forward to working with them in the future and I earnestly encourage those not successful to participate again next year.”
Mr Newman also thanked the six outgoing members Digby Willmott from Cunderdin, Linda Hewson from Katanning, David Slade from Mt Barker, Andrew Todd from Dowerin, Jeff Seaby from Mukinbudin and Michael O’Callaghan from Marchagee.
“We appreciate being on the GAC takes time and dedication and I’d like to thank those members leaving for their valuable contribution, commitment and strongly encourage their continued input through the GAC Alumni,” he said.