The Grain Industry Association of Western Australia (GIWA) announced the outcome of its Board elections at the 2026 Annual General Meeting, held on Wednesday 7 October.
Andrew Bolt of Demeter Grains and Justyna Balowska of Byfields Business Advisers were elected to the GIWA Board.
GIWA Chair Tress Walmsley was returned unopposed after three years in the role.
Oat Council Chair joins the Board
Mr Bolt, who chairs the GIWA Oat Council, replaces Ashley Wiese as the Oat Council’s Board representative. Mr Wiese has retired from the Board, but remains as Deputy Chair of the GIWA Oat Council.
Ms Walmsley acknowledged Mr Wiese’s contribution to the GIWA Board and the wider grains industry.
“Andrew Bolt, Chair of the GIWA Oat Council, will replace Ashley Wiese as Board representative,” Ms Walmsley said. “Ash has retired from the Board after eight years, including serving as GIWA Chair in 2021. Ash has, and continues to be, a selfless contributor to GIWA and has been a driving force on the GIWA Oat Council for over 15 years, and prior to that the Western Oat Alliance. While he is stepping down from the GIWA Board, fortunately for GIWA, Ash will remain a member of the GIWA Oat Council and has been elected as Deputy Chair for 2026/27. GIWA and the Board thank him for his service on the Board and for his ongoing contribution to the Western Australian grain industry.”
New Treasurer appointed
Ms Balowska was elected Treasurer of the GIWA Board, replacing Eamonn Lanagan, also from Byfields, who has served as Treasurer for the past five years, the maximum term allowable under GIWA’s Constitution. “Eamonn contributed a wealth of financial and governance experience to GIWA’s operations, and we are very pleased to have Justyna step into his shoes to continue Byfield’s generous support of GIWA and the grain industry” said Ms Walmsley.
2026 GIWA Board
GIWA’s Commodity Councils are made up of dedicated volunteers from across the whole grain value chain including a large proportion of grain growers. The following delegates were confirmed to represent the Councils on the GIWA Board:
- Returning Wheat Council Chair – Tracy Lefroy, grower, Bindi Bindi
- Returning Barley Council Deputy Chair – Linda Hewson, grower, Broomehill
- NEW Oat Council Chair – Andrew Bolt, Demeter Grains
- Returning Oilseeds Council Deputy Chair – Peter Bostock, Pioneer Seeds
- Returning Pulses Council Chair – Ruth Young, grower, Calingiri
Independent seats on the GIWA Board were also confirmed at the AGM, including:
- Agronomy and R&D – Dr. Ben Biddulph, CSIRO
- NEW Commercial Skills – Justyna Balowska, Byfields Business Advisers
- Plant Breeding – Tress Walmsley, InterGrain
- Handling and Storage – Kellie Todman, CBH Group
- Research and Development – Dr. Kaara Klepper, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (co-opted)
While up for nomination, the GIWA Chair and Deputy Chair remain unchanged.
- GIWA Chair – Tress Walmsley
- GIWA Deputy Chair – Peter Bostock
