After more than 10 years in operation, the Western Australian Marine Science Institution has undergone a major governance review and on Thursday (26 March) welcomed a new board led by Dr Paul Vogel AM as chair.

The reinvigorated board replaces the existing research and government partnership representatives who have led the institution through three major research programs that have vastly improved our understanding of the Western Australian marine environment.

The board membership, which reaches an institutional milestone for WAMSI with a more balanced gender representation, consists of:

• Dr Paul Vogel (Chair), Non-executive board director and strategic consultant
• Dr Debra Cousins, Executive Director, Science and Innovation, Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation
• Dr Ian Cresswell, Environmental Scientist
• Mr Bruce Lake, Director and previous Chair of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA)
• Dr Rod Lukatelich, Non-Executive Director and Consultant
• Dr Rochelle Macdonald, CEO Mid West Ports Authority and Non Executive Director Ports Australia
• Ms Shirley McPherson, member of the official Australian Delegation to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples.

The focus for WAMSI’s new skills-based and independent board will be on delivering key priorities in the WA Government’s Blueprint for Marine Science and seeking further opportunities for collaborative, strategic marine research.

“I am delighted to be appointed as chair to continue the great work of WAMSI under a much improved governance structure with exciting prospects for further strategic and collaborative marine research to benefit all our stakeholders that will also deliver enhanced economic, environment and social outcomes for WA,” Dr Vogel said.

WAMSI CEO Dr Luke Twomey echoed the need for a strategic change.

“Times have changed since WAMSI was launched in 2007,” Dr Twomey said. “I’m optimistic that this structure will help us to move into a new strategic phase that responds to the changing economic climate.”

“I’d like to welcome the new board and chair and thank the outgoing board members for their valuable contribution,” Dr Twomey said. “I’d especially like to thank Bruce Lake, for stepping in as interim chair to oversee the governance review process.”

The new board will meet again in April 2020.

RELATED LINKS

WAMSI Board