IAL Staff
Chris Bennett, CEO
Chris was appointed the IAL CEO in October 2008. His achievements include the establishment of a processing and marketing co-operative for the NSW oyster industry to overcome product quality issues, establishing an RTO to provide specific industry training needs and developing and managing a research program which doubled the almond industry’s strategic productivity objectives.
Chris has a Diploma of Agricultural Science and a Bachelor of Business.
Trevor Le Breton, Business Manager
Trevor has held several senior management positions over his 20+year career working in a range of industries including communications, transportation, logistics, training, safety, health and consulting. He joined IAL in January having spent the past three years as State Manager NSW/ACT at the National Safety Council of Australia. During Trevor’s time he led the process to rebuild NSW/ACT business, increasing revenue significantly through expanding both the training and consulting business and expanding a range of services to the members of the Council. Trevor would best be described as a specialist in the areas of sales, marketing and operations. In most of these roles he has been an active contributor to organisational improvement programmes, process improvement, organisational capability and communication. He has a Bachelor of Business and is a Master of Business Administration.
Trevor is a mad keen golfer, has a wife and three beautiful children - two girls and a boy - and in his spare time performs the role of Secretary for St Christopher’s FC.
Anne Currey, Editor-in-Chief Irrigation Australia magazine and Backwash e-newsletter
Anne lives by the beach in a flat but this hasn't stopped her from installing a small irrigation system which has been designed to ensure that her plants get just the right amount of water, when they need it.
P: 02 6686 5052
Email: anne@naturallyresourceful.com.au
Helen Horrigan, Administration
Helen works full time in the IAL National Office looking after a wide variety of administrative tasks. She has extensive experience in administration and customer service and is the cheerful voice at the end of the telephone. Her interests include community theatre and her daughter, Kelly, who adds a touch of quirkiness to her life.
Helen works from the National Office
Ph: 02 9476 0142
Fax: 02 9476 0792
Email: helen.horrigan@irrigation.org.au
Leo Demidjuk, Accountant
Leo is a qualified accountant with broad experience in all areas of accounting. He works part-time keeping the IAL accounts shipshape as well as preparing them for Board Meetings and auditing.
Leo works from the National Office
Ph: 02 9476 0142
Fax: 02 9476 0792
Mary-Anne Stewart, Accounts
Mary-Anne works from the National Office
Ph: 02 9476 0142
Fax: 02 9476 0792
Email: maryanne.stewart@irrigation.org.au
Liz Rex, Administrative Assistant
Liz works part-time in the IAL national office assisting in a wide variety of administrative tasks including relief reception and keeping our member database up to date.
Liz works from the National Office
Ph: 02 9476 0142
Fax: 02 9476 0792
Email: liz.rex@irrigation.org.au
Tim Gilbert, Industry Development Manager, National
Tim works part-time in his role with IAL working with Government to promote best practice in urban irrigation, water restrictions and water conservation.
Tim works from the National Office
Ph: Fax: 02 9476 0792
Mob: 0432 339 145
Email: tim.gilbert@irrigation.org.au
Merv Jessen, Industry Development Officer, QLD
In 2002 Merv successfully completed a Graduate Certificate in Rural Systems Management, and also holds an Associate Diploma and Certificate qualifications from the Qld Agricultural College (now USQ, Gatton College). He is a member of the Australian Pacific Extension Network (APEN) and has a Cert IV in Workplace Training & Assessment. Before taking on the position with Irrigation Australia, Merv worked with the Rural Water Use Efficiency project within the Queensland Dairy industry. Prior to that he was employed in various production and training roles throughout Queensland and in Papua New Guinea.
The performance and efficiency of irrigation systems are areas of particular interest for Merv and he is currently involved in the development of a number of programs to monitor, evaluate and improve the performance of irrigation systems throughout Australia focussing on non-urban use.
Merv can be contacted at 32 Herron Road, GYMPIE QLD 4570
Ph:/Fax: (07) 5482 8030
Mob: 0407 828 037
Email: merv.jessen@irrigation.org.au
Mark Quayle, Industry Development Officer, South East QLD
Mark is working in the South East of Queensland concentrating on urban irrigation issues.
Mark has a 30 year career in irrigation in Australia, South Africa and England, a Diploma in Agriculture, is a Certified Irrigation Auditor, has a Cert IV in Workplace Training & Assessment and is a Fellow of the Irrigation Institute of South Africa.
Before taking the position with Irrigation Australia Limited, Mark worked as Project Manager for a company specialising in commercial irrigation contracting. His professional career covers many facets of the irrigation industry including estimating and consulting as well as Company Director/Owner of a company specialising in design, supply and construction in domestic , commercial and agricultural projects.
Outside work, Mark has an interest in motor rallying and enjoys socialising with family and friends.
Mob: 0400 580 147
David Chester, Industry Development Officer, SA
David has been involved in the agricultural and natural resource sector both private and public for 30 years during which time he has covered research, implementation, extension and adult learning associated to these fields. He has also travelled extensively investigating a wide cross section of agricultural enterprises. Countries visited were Canada, West and East Coast of America, England, Scotland, Denmark, France, Italy, China and Malaysia.
David has also worked for a shareholder owned water supply co-operative in Western Australia where he worked with individuals and businesses to implement professional development for greater enterprise opportunities for rural based irrigation enterprises.
David moved to Adelaide in late 2005 where he continued to work in the agricultural and natural resource sectors along with managing personal business undertakings in South Australia.
Fax: 08 8226 4408
Mob: 0418 942 290
Email: david.chester@irrigation.org.au
David Jessen, Regional Support, South East QLD
David works on casual basis providing support to the South East Queensland Regional Committee.
David can be contacted at P O Box 4266, ST LUCIA SOUTH QLD 4067
Email: david.jessen@irrigation.org.au
Tracy Martin, Regional Support, WA
Tracy works part time providing support for WA Regional activities.
Tracy can be contacted at PO Box 61, VICTORIA PARK WA 6979
Ph: 08 9474 9089
Fax: 08 9367 6248
Email: tracy.martin@irrigation.org.au
