The Goyder Institute for Water Research is delighted to announce that Jody Swirepik will be joining the Institute as its new Chair in January 2024. Ms Swirepik has been appointed following a wide national search for candidates.
Director of the Goyder Institute for Water Research, Dr Alec Rolston, said “We are very excited to welcome Jody to the Goyder Institute, and we very much look forward to her guidance over the coming years. Jody has exceptional experience at the executive level and we are delighted to be able to welcome her as the first female Chair of the Goyder Institute.”
Ms Swirepik holds a wealth of experience in the water sector and natural resources management, working with a broad range of stakeholders including First Nations peoples, government agencies and communities. Since March 2021, Jody has been Director of National Parks within the Department for Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Between 2018-2021, Jody was appointed the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder before moving into her last position. Prior to this, Jody spent three years as Executive General Manager of the Clean Energy Regulator working on carbon farming and emissions reductions. In her earlier career, Jody worked for the NSW EPA and the ACT Government before joining the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and subsequently the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA). Jody spent three years as General Manager of The Living Murray Initiative before becoming Executive Director Environmental Management in the MDBA.
Current, and outgoing Chair, Professor Barry Hart, said “Jody is an outstanding appointment for the Goyder Institute. Her experience and breadth of knowledge will greatly contribute to the direction of the Institute. As I depart from the position of Chair, I am delighted to be able to pass the baton on to Jody and I look forward to following the Institute’s successes under Jody’s leadership.”
New Chair, Jody Swirepik, said “I am delighted to be appointed as Chair of the Goyder Institute for Water Research, and I look forward to working with the Management Board, Research Advisory Committee, Alec and the Institute staff over the coming years. Outgoing Chair, Barry Hart, is leaving the Institute in a very strong position. I thank Barry for his efforts over the past three years and I look forward to building on his work. The Goyder Institute has delivered, and is delivering, a broad range of very exciting projects that are critical to informing Australia’s water resources management. I look forward to an exciting few years as I work with the Institute and its partners to develop new opportunities.”
