Brett Hosking, a fifth generation grain grower from Quambatook, and Warracknabeal’s Julia Hausler have been elected Grain Growers Limited (GGL) directors at its annual meeting in Albury.
The two were the board’s endorsed candidates in the five-person ballot to fill the southern region vacancies, created by the retirement of Gerry Lane, Lockhart NSW, and Bruce Smith, Cootamundra NSW.
Ms Hausler (who polled 912 votes) and Mr Hosking (868 votes) both said it was important GGL improved its collaboration with members.
“I think that’s really important to any organisation that seeks to represent growers, that they have the connection and that focus,” Mr Hosking said.
“I’m not saying that it has been done badly, I’m saying it can always be done better. There is room to engage better.”
Mr Hosking is president of the Victorian Farmers Federation Grains Group and a passionate advocate for grain growers’ representation in the industry.
Ms Hausler has a long involvement with the grains industry, formerly working as a grain accumulator in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
She said there were positive signs ahead for the industry.
“The current season is a challenge but it is also an exciting challenge because there’s going to be a lot of volume of grain and with that comes opportunity,” she said following Tuesday annual meeting.
Other candidates standing for election were Mark Hoskinson, Kikoria NSW, (348), Dan Cooper, Pullabooka NSW (223), and Bob McCormack, Old Junee NSW (281).
The meeting also confirmed the appointment of non-grower director Michele Allan and voted to approve a series of constitutional changes.
The changes include:
- Removing the power of the board to vote against director candidates or motions arising at the AGM. They will still be able to vote in favour of a candidate or motion.
- Removing the requirement that independent directors be voted onto the board by members.
- The merging of several membership classes into one class.
Despite grower opposition before the meeting to grouping all the changes into one motion rather than treating each change on its own, the motion passed with 79.32 per cent of the vote.
There was no questions or debate from the floor before the vote, which needed 75 per cent support to succeed.
GGL chairman John Eastburn dismissed suggestions the board was not doing enough to support the industry.
GGL reported a $2.7 million loss, following a $394,000 loss a year earlier, despite a 61 per cent increase in revenue and a reduction in expenses.
“We are looking at all things that may help the industry,” Mr Eastburn said.
”The real problem is the world is awash with wheat right now because the northern hemisphere has had good crops too, so we’re playing into a very full market.”
He welcomed the new directors’ appointments.
“They’ll bring new ideas to the board, which is good,” he said.