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New Chair appointed for Westernport WaterLocal resident Tony Leonard has been appointed Chairman of Westernport Water from October 1, 2008. By Susan Webster - 21st September 2008 - Back to News The Minister for Water Tim Holding has appointed the Cowes resident to head the regional water corporation for the next two years.
Outgoing Chair, Pam Cameron said the appointment recognised the importance appointing a Chairman who lives locally.
She said: "I congratulate Mr Leonard on the appointment and am very pleased to hand over to him such a vibrant and focused organisation.
"Westernport Water has its future clearly laid out in the next five-year Water Plan’s continued augmentation of our system – building on the ongoing capital works we’ve established over the past few years for water supply and effluent treatment systems.
"It is a future that could include supply from the desalination plant, raising of the Candowie Reservoir wall and ongoing water conservation among our customers."
Mrs Cameron has served on the board for 10 years, seven of these as its Chair. Her departure has led to the appointment of a new board member Alison von Bibra, General Manager, Human Resources with Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, of Ascot Vale.
Mrs Cameron said: "My Chairmanship has been a period of growth, now the corporation enters a period of consolidation. I thank the Westernport Water staff and management for their exemplary efforts during sometimes testing times.
"I also want to thank our valued customers for their outstanding water stewardship during the 2006/07 drought.
"I’ve really enjoyed my time in the water industry; I’ve gained a lot of knowledge that, hopefully, has helped to drive the corporation forward."
Mrs Cameron said she will be working with greater focus on the campaign to establish an Aquatic Centre on Phillip Island … and spend more time to "follow my first love – farming".
Mr Leonard was appointed to the board of Westernport Water in October 2007 and is a member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee.
A regular visitor to Phillip Island over many years, he purchased a holiday home in 1988 and, upon retirement in 2002, became a permanent resident.
Prior to retirement he was a local director of a global financial services and risk management company with responsibilities including the group operations in seven countries throughout the Pacific region. He led a team which established and managed Cambridge Integrated Services Pty Ltd, a claims management provider for the Victorian Workcover Authority, and served as the appointed insurance broker and risk manager for the Victorian Government.
Mr Leonard is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Landcare and a number of local clubs.
Westernport Water’s Managing Director Murray Jackson welcomed the news of the appointments saying: "The moves recognise the potential of the advances made during the previous chairmanship. All the staff, management and board thank Pam Cameron for her unstinting commitment to a safe, secure water supply for our region. We also look forward to working with the new Chair and board."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: susanw@ptarmigan.com.au
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