Meet the Board

The Girton Grammar School Board is currently made up of nine members who are responsible for the overall strategic direction of the School. 

The Board’s major responsibilities include oversight of the School’s mission and values, the Girton Grammar School Strategic Plan 2023-2028 and the Girton Grammar School Master Plan 2023-2033. The Board also has responsibilities with regard to financial oversight of the School, especially in relation to the fee structure and the expansion of buildings and facilities.

The composition of the Board is broad with a range of professional skills represented by its members. Over the next few editions of eLink, we would like to introduce our Board members to the Girton community.

Mr David Jemmett (Chair) BASc (Ag) Melb, MBA (Senior Exec.) Melb, MAICD

What is your role on the Board?

I am the current Board Chair and have held this position since November 2018. I am also a member of the Governance, Risk and Compliance Committee, the Principal’s Employment, Performance and Remuneration Committee, the Campus Development and Major Projects Committee, and the Finance Committee.

What is your connection to Girton Grammar School?

I have two children at the School, a son who started in Grade 4 (2017), and a daughter who started in Grade 6 (2017).

What is your career background and what experience do you bring to the Board?

I am at heart a scientist, having started my tertiary education with the completion of a degree in Agricultural Science. The past twenty years in senior management and a passion for learning led me to pursue a senior executive MBA, which I completed in 2019. 

My professional experience lies in commodities trading, business, and agriculture. Since 2010 I have been the Chief Operating Officer at Southern Stockfeeds, an animal feed manufacturing business located in Bridgewater, having previously held executive positions interstate and overseas. In this role, I am responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company, managing financial resources, and implementing strategic initiatives. 

The company employs around 50 people, and we are proud to have worked hard to create a positive work culture that fosters teamwork and employee development.

What was your motivation for joining the Girton Board?

When I saw the advertisement for a position on the Girton Board through the School eLink in 2017, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. I believed that my diverse skill set from both business and governance backgrounds would be a valuable asset to the School. Having previously served on several Boards for private businesses and industry bodies, I was confident that I could bring a unique perspective, particularly from a rural and agricultural viewpoint, as well as being relatively new to the region.

As someone who is passionate about community involvement and volunteerism, I saw the Girton Board as a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community in a meaningful way. My wife and I believe in modelling the importance of volunteerism to our children and demonstrating how contributing to a cause greater than oneself can have a positive impact on the community.

As Chair of the Board, I am excited to be part of a team committed to the School's mission of providing a high-quality education to its students. I am particularly interested in contributing to the School's strategic direction, governance, and financial management.