Governance - Marine Energy Research Australia

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Terms of Reference

The Advisory Board of Marine Energy Research Australia (MERA) provides broad-based advice and guidance to the MERA Management Team and the Centre’s Albany headquarters on all issues associated with the MERA missions of research and engagement.
  • Provide a mechanism to report and give feedback to the MERA Management Team;
  • Review and advise on the performance of MERA;
  • Make strategic recommendations about the research undertaken by MERA;
  • Highlight opportunities to develop the scope of research and the scale of MERA;
  • Assist and support MERA in maximising the impact of its outreach and engagement program;
  • Assist and support MERA in maximising its impact on the marine renewable energy industry and the Great Southern region of Western Australia.

Current Membership

NamePosition
Bruce Manning (CHAIR)Board Chair, Great Southern Development Commission (Albany)
Wiebke EbelingCentre Manager, MERA (Albany)
Jonathan FievezChief Executive Officer – Carnegie Clean Energy (Perth)
Andrew SharpeChief Executive Officer – City of Albany
Miranda TaylorChief Executive Officer – National Energy Resources Australia (NERA; Perth)
Stephanie ThorntonCluster Manager – Australian Ocean Energy Group (Sydney)
Jennifer O’NeilDirector – UWA Albany Campus
Ian HutchisonDirector (Operations) – Aquatera (Scotland, UK)
Christophe GaudinDirector, MERA (Perth)
Tanya HaExecutive Board member – Science & Technology Australia (Melbourne)
Joanne KeelingManager of Energy Futures Team – Dept. Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD; Perth)
Irene PenesisResearch Director – Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre (Tasmania)
Additional ex-officio members may be invited to join the Advisory Board as required over time.

Meeting and Reporting

The Advisory Board will meet twice a year, usually in April and November, via a combination of face-to-face (local meetings in Perth and Albany) and tele-conferencing / video-conferencing facilities. The previous meeting minutes, an agenda and an update report about research and engagement activities since the last meeting will be sent prior to each meeting, after review and approval by the Chair of the Advisory Board. Responsibility for keeping minutes of the Advisory Board meetings rests with MERA. On special occasion, the Advisory Board members may be invited to an extended face-to-face meeting in Western Australia.