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Our Board

Humphrey Howie

Presiding Member

Humphrey is the proprietor of an organic citrus-growing and packing enterprise, and has a degree in Agricultural Science and a Diploma in Permaculture Design.

Humphrey’s family business has been growing fruit on the same land for over 100 years. The orchard began converting to organic management in 1994 and is certified organic with the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia.

Humphrey has worked in salinity and water management in South Australia and been involved with a range of natural resource management organisations. Humphrey is currently a member of the Bookmark Creek Action Group and Chair of the Renmark Environmental Watering Committee.

Humphrey has been on the Trust Board since 1997 and was elected Presiding Member in 2019.


Kate Strachan

Deputy Presiding Member

Kate is a viticulturist with over 27 years of experience in the winegrape growing industry, beginning with Southcorp in the Barossa Valley and the Riverland, and then at Taylors Wines and Knappstein Wines in the Clare Valley. In 2013, she returned to the family fruit property in Renmark to grow figs, pomegranates and winegrapes and is a fifth-generation grower. Kate has a degree in Agricultural Science and a Graduate Diploma in Education.

Kate has expertise in the technical aspects of viticulture, horticulture, logistics, procurement and project management. Kate is also an agricultural educator, believing that education at all levels is the key to the long term social, economic and environmental sustainability of our agricultural sector.

Kate was elected to the Trust Board in 2013, and was elected Deputy Presiding Member in 2019.


David Ludas

Assistant Deputy Presiding Member

David’s involvement with the Wine Industry spans over 40 years serving on a range of industry bodies. David, together with his wife and son, manages 50 hectares of vineyard in Renmark North.

David has seen and experienced major changes in irrigation infrastructure, management, and water policy. David is passionate and committed to representing Trust members and the district to ensure their water entitlements are being supplied.

David sits on the South Australian Murray Irrigators' Committee and was a member of South Australia's River Murray Advisory Committee.

David was elected to the Trust Board in 2007, and was elected Assistant Deputy Presiding Member in 2019.


James Butler

Director

James is a grower with irrigation properties within the Renmark and Chaffey districts.

James has been a Director of the Renmark Irrigation Trust since 2012 and also currently sits on the South Australian Murray Irrigators (SAMI) Committee and the Bookmark Creek Action Group.


Ibrahim Demir

Director

Ibrahim’s family migrated to Australia from Turkey in 1970, settling in Sydney before moving to Renmark in 1977.

Ibrahim has been involved in fruit growing in Renmark since 1980, being involved in all aspects of the operation and production of produce.

Ibrahim was elected to the Trust Board in 2004.


Jasvindar Kor

Director

Jasvindar co-manages Bachra Produce which operates an irrigated horticulture and packing shed business. Stone fruit is grown for sale on the Australian fresh market, together with wine grapes and oranges.

Jasvindar grew up in Fiji and has been in Renmark since 2000.

Jasvindar was appointed to the Trust Board in 2021.


Jim Markeas

Director

Jim manages the family owned Mallee Estate winery in Renmark, which produces all wines onsite and offers a cellar door and restaurant experience. The winery uses estate grown grapes with the first vineyard established by his immigrant parents in 1969.

Mallee Estate Wines was established in 1998 and has experienced global and domestic success, being awarded Riverland winery of the year at the New York International wine competition from 2015-2019. Jim’s vision is to continue to drive the family business forward and expand by value adding to its core foundation of irrigated primary production. 

Jim holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Wine Science) and in 2015 was awarded Riverland Winemaker of the Year. Jim is also a director at Riverland Wine (as a winemaker representative) and is active in the local community.

Jim was elected to the Trust Board in 2016.