Board & governance
Wimmera CMA Board is appointed by the Victorian Governments’ Minister for Water and Minster for Energy, Environment and Climate Change. Board members have experience and knowledge in land management, water resources management, natural resource management, primary industry, business management, and community engagement. Wimmera CMA Board is accountable for the overall performance of the Authority. Its role is to guide, govern, and provide professional and strategic advice in the development of the Authorities strategic direction for land, biodiversity, and water management in the Region.
How do people get involved?
The Minister, following an ‘Expression of Interest’ process, appoints members for a term of up to four years.
Peter Hilbig
Peter Hilbig was initially appointed Chair in October 2017 and reappointed in October 2021. He has lived at Halls Gap for over thirty years, employed as a teacher, education consultant and principal. He has worked in Malaysia and Northern Territory as a teacher and school leader, and locally as a teaching and leadership adviser and coach. He currently facilitates organisational reviews and strategic planning. Peter’s interest in the Wimmera and passion for sustainable catchment management developed through six years as manager of Project Platypus – Upper Wimmera Landcare, where he was inspired by the commitment of a diverse range of stakeholders using science to monitor and inform improvement in land and water quality, agriculture and biodiversity.
Peter is currently Chair of Vic Catchments, the peak body for Catchment Management Authorities in Victoria. He is a volunteer firefighter and a Justice of the Peace.
Peter is keen for the Wimmera CMA to engage effectively with all stakeholders to achieve a healthy and sustainable catchment community.
Julie Slater – Deputy Chair
Julie Slater was appointed to the Wimmera CMA Board in October 2019, having previously been a Board Member at the North Central CMA for eight years.
Julie is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is self-employed in a consulting practice, JLS Consulting specialising in public relations and marketing, strategic planning, and community engagement.
Julie holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and is Managing Director and Business Manager of a mixed cropping/livestock farming enterprise located within the Buloke Shire in North-west Victoria. She is also Chair of Women’s Health Loddon Mallee and Co-founder of the Buloke Women’s Network.
Angela Enbom
Angela Enbom was appointed to the Wimmera CMA Board in October 2019. Angela is a commercial beekeeper running her own business and a sustainable small-scale food-producer. As an apiarist, Angela has experience with a vast array of natural resources and landscapes. Angela is an executive on the Central Victorian Apiary Association and provides community bee and sustainable bee practices education to a range of community groups regularly.
Angela is a permaculture professional who has developed a sustainable organic integrated plant and animal system. One of the tenets of permaculture is to value the marginal and this includes our remote and regional communities. Angela is passionate about planning for the future of our rural communities and ensuring their sustainability now and into the future.
Angela brings to the board a wholistic, macro perspective and her experience in teaching, primary production, small business and the apiculture industry.
Emelia Sudholz
Emelia Sudholz was appointed to the Wimmera CMA Board in October 2011. Emelia is an agricultural scientist, teacher, and partner with her husband in a cropping and sheep farm business at Rupanyup South. Emelia has a strong background in water management, a member of the Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnerships Committee, and on the Murray Darling Basin Authority community Committee.
Emelia brings experience in natural resource management, stakeholder engagement, governance, farming expertise and involvement to the Board.
Emelia is committed to the Wimmera after moving here over 20 years ago and is heavily involved in local community groups.
David Drage
David Drage was appointed to the Board in October 2013 and reappointed for a third term, October 2021. David brings a diverse mix of farming, Landcare, community, and waterway experience and involvement to the Board. David lives on the family farm with his wife and two children. The farm grows winter cereals and legumes and they run a small flock of Merino ewes for wool and prime lamb production. There is also a strong focus on preserving and conserving the remaining remnant Buloke and box vegetation on the farm.
David’s long-term goals are utilising his land-based resources for food production, and his family’s livelihood, while preserving the farm to ensure it is handed on to the next generation in the best possible condition. David is a member of several community groups including Warracknabeal Rotary Club, Lah Landcare Group and Co-Chair of Grampians Regional Climate Adaption Group.
La Vergne Lehmann
La Vergne Lehmann was appointed to the Wimmera CMA Board in October 2017. La Vergne lives near Dimboola and brings a broad range of experience including natural resource management, community engagement, research, communications and media and tourism.
La Vergne is now working at the Yarriambiack Shire Council, coordinating the waste and sustainability functions of the Council.
She is passionate about sustainability and environmental issues in the region and is a regular contributor to several media and social media forums. La Vergne is also co-chair of the Grampians Regional Climate Adaptation Group.
Michael Porter
Michael Porter was appointed to the Board in November 2015 and is a past Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, and currently serves on the Business Planning Committee. Michael owns farming land in Victoria’s Western District, near Ballarat. He has had extensive experience in the Agricultural sector where he was the CEO of Southern Quality Produce Co-operative for almost four years. He has a particular interest in soil regeneration and making the best use of our limited water resources. Before working for SQP, he held Senior Management roles within ASX listed companies.
Michael holds a Bachelor of Business Studies with a major in Enterprise Development, a Post Graduate Qualification in Change Management and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He holds additional Board Positions including Directorships with ASX Listed Angel Seafood Holdings Ltd. He is a past Member and Chairman of the Audit Advisory Committee for the City of Ballarat. He also has extensive experience in the Defence sector where he held the rank of Commander in the Royal Australian Navy.
Michelle Graymore
Michelle Graymore was appointed to the Board in October 2017. Michelle is an Environmental Sociologist who is passionate about helping rural and regional communities be sustainable and resilient, particularly in the Wimmera.
Michelle works with environmental scientists, natural resource managers and the community. This enables Michelle to encourage local knowledge, community needs and values, and the best available science to be considered in planning, policy and decision making.
As well as a family connection to the Wimmera, Michelle spent four years leading the Wimmera Research Group (formerly known as Horsham Campus Research Precinct) at Federation University in Horsham. Michelle brings to the board expertise in sustainability, water management, climate change adaption, social change processes, community engagement and community resilience. In her role on the Board Michelle is keen to use her skills to contribute to the long-term sustainability of the region.
