Board & management

Jacinta Ermacora, Chair, BSocWk, MSocSc (Policy and   Management), FAICD

Appointed 1 October 2015

Jacinta has a background in social work and policy development and brings experience in consumer advocacy, sexual assault advocacy and primary health reform, along with governance experience in natural resource management, Local Government and the water industry to the Wannon Water Board table. 

Her interests include promoting economic development in the Great South Coast Region and policy development in collaboration with communities.  Jacinta is qualified as a quality improvement performance assessor and is a graduate and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

Jacinta is currently a board director at South West TAFE, a board director of Great South Coast Regional Partnerships,  and independent chair of the Warrnambool Special Developmental School, Wollaston Campus Committee.  

Jacinta is the Chair of the Strategic Issues Committee and the Executive Remuneration Committee. 

Andrew Jeffers, Managing Director, B. Eng (Civil), M. Eng (Env), MBA, GAICD

Appointed 20 July 2015

Prior to his appointment in July 2015, Andrew worked for 16 years with Wannon Water and 23 years within the Victorian water industry in various engineering and corporate roles, which has resulted in a deep understanding of the water industry and the business of a water corporation. 

Andrew understands Wannon Water exists for its customers and understands the importance and community value of providing high quality water, sewerage and trade waste services.  He has a special interest in ensuring that Wannon Water helps communities in the south-west flourish.

Andrew is a member of the Victorian Intelligent Water Network Executive Committee, an independent member of the Corangamite Shire Audit Committee, a Director of the Great South Coast Group and a Director of Beyond the Bell.

Andrew is a member of the Strategic Issues Committee.

Michael Crutchfield, MBA, BA, BPE, Dip Ed.

Appointed 1 October 2015

Michael is a Country Fire Authority Operations Officer and was previously a member of the Victorian Parliament, where he was the Parliamentary Secretary for Water and Environment. He has a Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Physical Education and Diploma of Education.

Michael is a member of the Strategic Issues Committee.

Mick Murphy, OAM, DipCE, MAICD

Appointed 1 October 2015

From Mortlake, Mick has a background in civil engineering and business development consulting. He has 20 years’ experience as a local government and water board engineer. Prior to joining Wannon Water, Mick spent 20 years as a Chairman and Director of a number of State and Regional Statutory Authorities, and has served as a Mayor and Councillor of Moyne Shire, and as a foundation director of South West Water.

He was awarded a Centenary Medal in 2002 for service to water management, and an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2006 for service to the community of regional Victoria, particularly through local government, water conservation and environment organisations.

He is currently Executive Chairman of Michael J Murphy & Co Pty Ltd, Independent Chair of headspace South West, Independent Chair of Southern Grampians Audit and Risk Committee, Independent Chair of the State Riparian Forum and Chairman of Abbeyfield Aged Care.

Mick is Chairman of the Audit & Risk Management Committee, a member of the Strategic Issues Committee and the Executive Remuneration Committee.

Sarah-Jane Walsh, B.Ec, LLB, LLM, MBA, FAICD

Appointed 1 October 2017

Sarah-Jane is a Fellow and Accredited Facilitator with the AICD (since 2011) and has operated her own consultancy since 2009, advising on legal and governance issues for boards.

Previous roles have included Ombudsman at the Financial Ombudsman Service, Senior Fellow at Monash University lecturing on corporate governance and directors’ duties, Deputy General Counsel of ANZ Banking Group, and General Counsel and Company Secretary at Liberty Financial Ltd.

Sarah-Jane has previously served as Director for a number of Boards, holds a Bachelor of Law and Master of Law and is admitted as a legal practitioner in Victoria. She also holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Master of Business Administration.

Sarah-Jane is a member of the Audit & Risk Management Committee and Strategic Issues Committee.

Ken King, Dip For BForSc (Hon)  MRSV  MAICD

Appointed 1 October 2017

Ken is a Senior Project Manager at the Victorian Planning Authority. 

Previous roles include the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), holding executive roles in DSE, its predecessors and Parks Victoria (PV) for 25 years.

Ken has extensive experience in forestry, fire, fauna and flora management, and operations, policy and strategy.

Ken has previously served as Director for a number of Boards, holds a range of leadership roles within Victorian agencies including Chair of the Natural Resources Conservation League of Victoria and Eucalypt Australia.  He is also a member of Colac Area Health's Risk and Audit Committee.

Ken is a member of Executive Remuneration Committee and Strategic Issues Committee. 

Helen Scarborough, B. Ec., M.Ec, PhD, GAICD

Appointed 1 October 2017

Helen has held various academic roles at Deakin University for over 25 years and is currently Associate Professor in the Department of Economics.

Previous roles include Research Economist roles for Westpac Bank and the Australian Chamber of Manufacturers.

Helen has previously served as a Member of the Western Coastal Board.

Helen holds post graduate qualifications in economics and her PhD and research is in environmental economics.

Helen is a member of the Audit & Risk Management Committee and Strategic Issues Committee. 

Adrian Panow, BAppSc, GCBA, PhD, GAICD

Appointed 1 October 2019

Dr Adrian Panow is currently the Director of Deakin Energy at Deakin University which responds to the need for innovative solutions to the challenges of sustainable energy supply. 

Adrian is an experienced energy, resources and agrifood executive with international private and public sector expertise in business and technology development, sustainability, stakeholder engagement, joint ventures, commercialisation and program leadership.

Adrian holds an Australian Institute of Company Directors Diploma and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Biochemistry/Applied Chemistry, a PhD in Industrial Biotechnology and Graduate Certificate in Business Administration.  

Adrian is a member of the Audit & Risk Management Committee and the Strategic Issues Committee.

Susan Brumby, RN, DipFarm M'ment, GCertHELT, GDipWomensSt, MHM, PhD

Appointed 1 October 2019

Dr Susan Brumby holds a Master of Health Management, and a PhD in Sustainable Regional Communities.

Susan is the Founding Director of the National Centre for Farmer Health and has 15 years of farming land management knowledge and experience.  Focused on improving the health, wellbeing and safety of farmers, farm workers and their families across Australia, Dr Brumby led the implementation of five key strategies which includes inventive and award-winning service delivery models, farmer research, education and training.   

Susan is a member of the Executive Remuneration Committee and the Strategic Issues Committee.