The Australian Wine Research Institute > About the AWRI > AWRI Board > Election and appointment of Directors

Election and appointment of Directors

The Board of the Australian Wine Research Institute

The AWRI’s Constitution provides that there will be not less than five nor more than 11 Directors. Three of those directors are nominated and/or elected by organisations that pay the Wine Grapes Levy and one of those directors is nominated and/or elected by organisations that pay the Grape Research Levy. Levy payer elected directors should, in addition to their other duties and responsibilities, provide an industry perspective to the direction and priorities of AWRI’s RDE&C activities. Up to six appointed directors possessing complementary skills can also be appointed. The only Executive Director is the Managing Director.

Appointed Directors

There are no current vacancies for Appointed Directors.

Elected Directors 

AWRI 2026 Board election

Voting is now open in the election for a vacant position on the AWRI Board of Directors in the small (less than 2,000 tonnes) Wine Grapes Levy payer (wine producer) category.

Levy payers in the small category nominated the following candidates:

  • Mark Bourne (President, NSW Wine Industry Association, NSW)
  • Corrina Wright (Winemaker and Director, Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards, SA)

Levy payers in the small category are strongly encouraged to vote for their preferred candidate. This is an excellent opportunity to have a say in electing a candidate that can contribute to the Australian grape and wine research and development agenda.

Nominations were also called for in the medium (2,001 to 50,000 tonnes) Wine Grapes Levy Payer category. As only one nomination was received in that category, an election is not required. The AWRI is pleased to announce that Brett McClen of Brown Family Wine Group has been re-elected to the position of medium Wine Grapes Levy Payer Director.

Need help deciding if you are eligible to vote in this election?

The Wine Grapes Levy (WGL) is the levy payable on grapes used in the winemaking process. A small WGL payer is an organisation that crushes less than 2,000 tonnes of grapes per annum. Only small WGL payers are eligible to vote.

The election will be conducted electronically with assistance from Elections Australia Pty Ltd.

VOTING PERIOD NOW OPEN
The ballot is now open and voting has commenced. The ballot will close at 5:00 pm CDST on Friday, 20 November 2026.

VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Go to: http://www.myvote.com.au/awrismall and follow the instructions.
  2. Enter the name of the levy payer (the organisation liable to pay the levy) and the person submitting the vote on behalf of the levy payer
  3. Cast your vote.

A levy payer organisation may only vote once in this election. The following representatives are eligible to vote on behalf of the levy payer organisation:

  • Sole owner
  • Partner of a partnership
  • Director (or Director equivalent) of a Company or group of Companies.

Candidate supporting statements are available here.

The result of the election will be announced in the week commencing 23 November 2026 via the AWRI’s eBulletin and will also be published here on the AWRI website. The successful candidate will take office on 1 January 2026.

For further information please contact the Returning Officer, Shiralee Dodd at returningofficer@awri.com.au.