18 November 2025
An election was recently held for two positions on the AWRI Board: one in the Grape Research Levy payer category and one in the large Wine Grapes Levy payer category.
The AWRI is pleased to announce that Peter Szabo (CCW Co-operative Ltd, SA) was elected in the Grape Research Levy payer category and Wayne Ellis (Ellis Castle Consulting, Vic) was elected in the large Wine Grapes Levy payer category.
Peter Szabo is a vineyard owner and seasoned agribusiness leader with over four decades of experience across the Australian wine sector. He is currently the General Manager and Company Secretary of CCW Co-operative Ltd—Australia’s largest grower-owned grape supply organisation— overseeing operations, financial performance and strategic direction of a membership of nearly 500 winegrape growers. Peter is also a Director of CIT (Central Irrigation Trust).
Wayne Ellis is a highly experienced people, strategy, supply and operations and process manager with over 25 years’ cross functional experience with medium to large FMCG companies. He has extensive experience across a wide range of industry sectors including wine, project management, supply chain management and operational management in the electronics industry. In previous roles at Duxton Vineyards, Accolade Wines, Zilzie Wines and Treasury Wine Estates, Wayne was responsible for overseeing the supply chain and operations across Australia and New Zealand. He is currently a consultant with Ellis Castle Consulting.
Both Directors will commence their new elected terms on 1 January 2026. The terms of outgoing Board members Iain Jones and Damien Sheehan conclude on 31 December 2025. The AWRI thanks Iain and Damien for their contributions over their time on the AWRI Board.