Daniel Kahl joins Cotton Australia board

Third generation Wee Waa grower Daniel Kahl is among four directors appointed to the board of Cotton Australia.

Cotton Australia held its annual general meeting at last week’s Cotton Conference on the Gold Coast.

Three sitting directors were reappointed, with Mr Kahl being a new board member elected to the position.

The board welcomed Mr Kahl, a previous Nuffield Scholar whose grandfather Paul, a World War II fighter pilot, became a pioneer of cotton growing in Australia.

Mr Kahl’s grandfather moved his family from the US in 1960 and bought a farm at Wee Waa, where the family remains.

Paul and Jean Kahl along with Frank and Norma Hadley are credited with co-founding the modern Australian cotton industry in the Namoi Valley.

Daniel said his involvement in his local cotton grower association helped steer him to nominate for the board.

“I have been on local organisations and was looking for the next step in how to contribute to the industry,” Mr Kahl said.

“I threw my hat in the ring, but the other nominees were fantastic, so I was comfortable either way, and quite surprised when I was elected.

“I think the board and management have done a great job, so I will be adopting a watching brief initially and contributing in any way I can.”

Chair of the Cotton Australia board, Nigel Burnett began annual general meeting proceedings, followed by a presentation of the financial results by board member Rob Dugdale, of Narrabri.

The meeting acknowledged retiring board member Fleur Anderson, who served on the board for 11 years.

In accordance with the constitution, four positions were declared vacant, and the successful directors appointed were Bernie Bierhoff (Rowena), Daniel Kahl (Wee Waa), Angus O’Brien (Warren) and Elizabeth Stott (Leeton).

Other Cotton Australia board members include chair Mr Burnett (Emerald), April Cavanagh, Rob Dugdale (Narrabri), Matt McVeigh (Dalby), Arthur Spellson and Bruce Connolly.