Our Staff
Departments
Chief Executive Officer - Doug Humann
Doug Humann has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Bush Heritage Australia since 1997. 
Doug has a BA (Hons – Geography) and Diploma of Education from Melbourne University. He previously spent ten years as a secondary school teacher and eight years as the Director of the Victorian National Parks Association, Victoria's largest member-based nature conservation organisation. Doug is a member of the World Conservation Union - Commission of National Parks and Protected Areas.
In 1997 Doug won Wild Magazine's Australian Environmentalist of the Year and in 2005 was a finalist (Significant Innovation) in the Equity Trustees Not for Profit CEO of the Year Awards.
Doug has been a member of various state government advisory bodies and provided advice to governments on a range of issues connected with protected areas and conservation management. His interest in the outdoors and nature conservation has led to extensive travel with his family throughout Australia and abroad.
CEO Executive Assistant - Diane Oakley
Appointed January 2009
Conservation
Chief Conservation Officer - Nicki Markus
PhD in zoology (flying fox ecology) , BSc (zoology and psychology), Honours (juvenile chimpanzee behaviour)
Nicki is responsible for the conservation team that operates in three sections – strategy, policy and evaluation of Bush Heritage conservation work, the assessment and servicing of all of our reserves and our conservation stakeholder partnerships, and the operational aspects of managing our properties.
Nicki spent 18 months writing a book on Australia’s current conservation landscape (to be published by Melbourne Uni Press in February 2009) and working as a sustainability consultant to a global IT firm on a short-term contract. Before that, she worked as a senior manager for WWF-Australia for five years and oversaw the organisation’s national Species Conservation Program, including the Threatened Species Network, the Shorebirds Conservation Program and the Rio Tinto Frogs! Project. During that time, she had a particular interest in recovery and conservation planning and in the role of legislation in conservation.
Nicki had a four-year term in the zoo-industry , writing management plans; advising on wildlife conflict issues, initiating a large community-based revegetation project in SE Queensland (‘Food for Wildlife’), and acting as an advocate for flying fox conservation on behalf of the Australasian Bat Society. Appointed June 2008
Strategy, Policy and Evaluation
Strategy, Policy and Evaluation Manager - Stuart Cowell
BSc(Hons) Environmental Science. Stuart worked as a Research Scientist with CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems on issues of integration in natural resource planning and management. He has extensive experience working with Aboriginal people and organisations and has worked across the Top End, on the Great Barrier Reef and in Tasmania. He is experienced in natural resource management issues applicable to our current and future activities. Appointed 2001.
Ecological Monitoring Coordinator - Dr Jim Radford
Indigenous Programs Team Leader - Sarah Eccles
BA (Hist & Indigenous studies), Dip Nat Res Manag. Sarah is of Watharung descent. She has experience working with Aboriginal people both within non-government organisations such as Greening Australia, where she worked alongside the Indigenous Land Management facilitator, and in State Government roles. Her position involves facilitating co-management agreements on Bush Heritage reserves and greater conservation or ‘Caring for Country’ on indigenous held lands. Appointed 2005.
- Indigenous Programs, Nth Australia Officer - Lyndall McLean
Completed a degree in Outdoor Education at Bendigo University in 1987 then 15 years as a ranger in Kakadu National Park. In 2006 secondment to the Northern Land Council where she worked as a Sea Country Facilitator in the Caring for Country Unit. Lyndall took a position with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) as the remote area coordinator with the opportunity to expand Indigenous engagement in Quarantine work.
Lyndall joined the NAILSMA in May 2008 and her main roles are to work with NAILSMA and Indigenous people to support the purchase of ecologically and culturally significant country, to support conservation management on land already owned and managed by Indigenous people; and to support the participation of Indigenous people in the management of Bush Heritage reserves. Lyndall's initial focus is on regions and projects where Bush Heritage already has partnerships (Cape York and North West Queensland, Kimberley and West Arnhem), but her role is also to work on development of new project areas in collaboration with NAILSMA staff. Appointed May 2008 - Indigenous Programs, National Partnerships Officer - Don Bell
Appointed 2008
Regional Strategy Team Leader - Ben Carr
Ben grew up on a farm in the Western Australian sand plain where he learnt to love the bush. He has a background in ecological research and management, reserve management, environmental consulting, environmental impact assessment and native vegetation policy in Western Australia and Victoria. Ben has worked with volunteers, non-government conservation organisations, private industry, farmer groups, government departments and regional NRM groups. He has a commitment to understanding, protecting and restoring natural habitats and resources. Ben’s interest is in forming partnerships to achieve conservation objectives across Australia. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Murdoch University.
Appointed in February 2007.
Assessment and Property Services
Assessment and Property Services Manager- Dr Kate Fitzherbert
BSc (Hons), PhD in Ornithology. Kate has worked in ornithological research, principally on threatened species and their management, before moving into environmental fundraising. She has been instrumental in raising the funds for, and helping establish, privately-owned habitat reserves in Australia. Appointed 2001.
Conservation Projects Officer - Jen Grindrod
Appointed May 2008
Property Assessment Coordinator- Paul Foreman
Paul Foreman has a background in Forestry (B(For)Sci. - Melb University) and Botany (MSc. - La Trobe University) with extensive experience in State and Local Government, as well as botanical consultancy and with other NGO's. He has a particular interest in grassy ecosystems and worked with Trust for Nature (Victoria) from 1999 to 2002. Appointed 2005.
Investment Proposals Coordinator - Dr Amanda Kobelt
Spatial Information Coordinator - Richard MacNeill
BA(Hons), DipEd, BAppSc, MAppSc (Land Information). Richard has worked in cultural heritage management and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for over 10 years. He has extensive experience in cultural heritage management in the field and as spatial data coordinator and manager on behalf of Aboriginal communities in Victoria. Appointed 2005.
Ecologist GLE & Nth Australia - Max Tischler
Ecologist, QUBB - Murray Haseler
BSc Ecology; Grad Dip Tropical Ecology. Murray has worked with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service on wildlife issues and habitat surveys and assessments throughout the Brigalow and south-east Queensland bioregions. Prior to that he worked in Tasmania on wildlife issues. Appointed 2003.
Ecologist, K2C and SEGBW - Sandy Gilmore
Sandy Gilmore has joined Bush Heritage as the ecologist for southern Australia. He has worked extensively on bird communities and their ecology throughout eastern Australia and has a special interest in integrating our knowledge of ecology with how we manage the land. Sandy will work on selecting properties for acquisition, and management planning and research on reserves in temperate Australia. Appointed 2005.
Ecologist, SWBP - Dr Hugh Pringle
Dr Hugh Pringle has nearly twenty years of experience as a landscape and wildlife ecologist in outback Western Australia. Since joining Bush Heritage, he has also returned to the landscapes of his undergraduate studies in the south-west of WA. He is now getting involved in agricultural impact issues (such as secondary salinity and eutrophication) and die-back, as well as issues relating to Charles Darwin and Eurardy Reserves in WA. Appointed 2006.
Ecologist, Tasmania -Dr Matt Appleby
BSc(Hons), PhD (Environmental Studies). Matt has extensive experience at assessing and negotiating conservation covenants with landowners across Tasmania. Prior to this work, he completed a PhD and several research projects in the field of restoration ecology. Matt’s interests have been focused on the native grasslands and woodlands in Tasmania’s Midlands. His current position involves ecological assessments of land for the Beyond the Boundaries program. Appointed April 2007.
Ecologist Gondwana Link, WA - Angela Sanders
Appointed 2008
National Operations
National Operations Manager - David Whitelaw
BSc (Env Mgt). Dave has worked extensively in the Southwest and Pilbara regions of WA and most recently in Tasmania primarily engaged in protected area management within State Government. He brings to the Bush Heritage organisation leadership and management skills in the field of operations as well as his previous experiences working with staff and communities in remote areas. Dave is particularly interested in working with all Bush Heritage colleagues, partners and supporters to bring about sustainable, on-ground conservation outcomes on the reserves that we currently manage. Appointed March 2009.
Operations Officer - Glen Norris
Glen is currently studying his final year of a Soc Sci (ENV) degree. Originally from country NSW, Glen has an extensive background in earthmoving and project management in the telecommunications and civil construction industries, which has seen him involved in a wide array of remote and metropolitan projects. Appointed June 2007.
Operations Supervisor - Chantal Fowler
Chantal has completed a Bachelor degree in Park Management, majoring in Business Management. She has extensive and varied experience gained from volunteering and working for Parks Victoria and Parks Canada, working in a range of areas including field research, volunteer management, interpretation and education, visitor services, customer service and business administration. Appointed 2006.
- Property Planning Coordinator - Clair Dougherty
Appointed 2007 - Operations Project Funding Officer - Claire Munro
Appointed October 2008
Regional Operations Manager QLD and NT - Steve Heggie
Steve was the first reserve manager at the Bush Heritage Carnarvon Station Reserve, Qld. he has extensive experience in the management of conservation reserves and in working with reserve visitors from his time with Bush Heritage and as ranger at Kakadu National Park. Appointed 2004.
- Cravens Peak & Ethabuka Reserve Manager, QLD - Mark Lithgow
- Cravens Peak & Ethabuka Field Officer, QLD - Nella Lithgow
- Carnarvon Station Reserve Manager, QLD - Chris Wilson,
Darren worked for the Parks and Wildlife Service of the Northern Territory for 22 years. During this time he gave technical support to the Wildlife Division on projects such as Vegetation Survey & Mapping and Rare & Endangered Species Management. The last 10 years were spent as a ranger conducting fire, weed, visitor and feral animal management within Nitmiluk, Gregory and Watarrka National Parks. Appointed 2005. - Carnarvon Reserve Field Officer - Cathy Zwick
- Yourka Reserve, QLD - Paul and Leanne Hales
Paul grew up on properties in central Queensland and has excellent Natural Resource Management skills and experience. Paul's NRM roles included running weed control programs for the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of the Environment, then 10 years with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. His last position was Ranger-in-Charge with Diamantina Catchment, over 400 million acres of arid channel country. Paul has extensive, practical fire management experience including the coordinating emergency services at fires. Paul is also an accredited firearms trainer.
Leanne has a BA Psych, Geography & Enviro Sc. and has a stong background in environmental education, visitor and natural resource management. Leanne spent eight years working for Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service in a range of roles throughout central Queensland national parks. She began as a trainer with the Youth Conservation Corps, then moved on to regional safety coordinator and a business management position. She also has a background in social work and social planning and brings with her good communication and facilitation skills. Both appointed 2005. - Fan Palm Reserve, QLD - Siggy Heise-Pavlov
Regional Operations SWBP/SA
- Boolcoomatta Reserve, SA - Peter and Emma Ashton
Appointed July 2008 - Bon Bon Reserve, SA - Paul & Carolle Spencer
- Kojonup, Chereninup, Monjebup, Yarabee, Peniup Reserves WA - Mal Graham
- Charles Darwin Reserve, WA - Dale Fuller
Dale has an extensive background in natural resource management working with Parks Victoria in the Otways region and inland Victorian mallee country where he also grew-up. Dale has done ranger work in the Anglesea heath area of the eastern Otways under a unique co-management approach with the local mining industry. Appointed July 2009 - Eurardy Reserve, WA - Matthew Warnock
Appointed 2005, commenced at Eurardy 2008.
Regional Reserve Manager - South East Aust - Peter Saunders
Appointed 2008.
- Scottsdale Reserve, NSW, Tarcutta Reserve, NSW, Brogo Reserve, NSW, Burrin Burrin Reserve, NSW, Nameless Reserve, NSW - Peter Saunders
- Nardoo Hills Reserve, VIC - Dr David Baker-Gabb
Liffey Valley Reserves, TAS, East Coast Reserves, TAS - Stuart Cowell
Marketing
Chief Marketing Officer - Pamela Sutton-Legaud
Pamela is an experienced marketer and fundraiser, having worked in the international advertising industry in London and Melbourne. For the past 9 years, Pamela has worked in the Australian charity sector, with Oxfam Australia and Plan Australia, where she initiated the first ever charity partnership with the Commonwealth Games. In 2006, Pamela won a scholarship to complete her MBA at the Australian Graduate School of Management and was awarded the title of Victorian Telstra Busineswoman of the Year for the Community & Government sector 2006. Appointed January 2007.
PA / Supporter Services Assistant - Mandy Sharp
Community Engagement
Campaign Manager - Cheryl Pultz
Cheryl has worked as a professional fundraiser for 20 years. Her broad background includes work in the social services, cultural, scientific, political and environmental sectors. Her past experience includes the development and implementation of major gift, annual and capital campaigns, and the integration of relationship fundraising into the mix. Cheryl is a graduate of The Fundraising School and has been recognized for her achievements in fundraising with the designation of Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). Appointed 2008.
- Campaign Officer - Kristal Maio
- Campaign Officer - Toona Berwick
Philanthropy Executive- Roewen Wishart
B.A (Hons), LL.B. (Hons), MpubPol. Roewen has worked as a lawyer and policy analyst, including with the National Parks and Wildlife Service. He subsequently spent many years fundraising for overseas social and economic justice programs before joining Bush Heritage. He is based in Sydney. Appointed 2001.
Philanthropy Executive - Paul Evans
Dip. Eng, Dip. Sales Mang. Paul has a very eclectic background with extensive experience in customer relations, sales and tourism. His love for the environment has seen him involved with on-ground operations at the Eyre Bird Observatory and Newhaven Reserve, where he also had the opportunity to indulge his passion for wildlife photography. Before arriving at Bush Heritage in late 2005, he had been actively fundraising for other not-for-profit organisations overseas. Appointed 2005.
Bequest Team Leader - Merrilyn Julian
BA (Hons) MA Dip. Ed. Merrilyn has worked in the conservation movement for 20 years, both in Britain and Australia, principally as an environmental editor, before moving to bequest work. She is passionate about the preservation of natural habitat.
Appointed 2005.
- Bequest Officer Melbourne - Liz Balogh
B. App. Sci. (Environmental Management), Diploma Library & Information Management. Liz has worked in environmental, administrative and library positions. Her love of nature and desire to do something proactive and positive led her to work with Bush Heritage. She has worked in various roles within Bush Heritage, combining her knowledge of environmental issues with her skills in information management. Appointed (to this position) September 2007.
Supporter Services
Acting Supporter Service Manager - Katrina Blake
Appointed 2005
- Supporter Services Officer- Roger Dezylva
Appointed September 2008 - Supporter Services and iMIS Officer- Mark Johnson Appointed 2009
Conservation Partnerships Team Leader- Katrina Blake
Appointed 2005.
- Visitation Coordinator - Eve Jani
After graduating with an Advanced Diploma in Business Marketing, Eve headed off to travel extensively throughout the world, living and working in Dublin, London & more recently in Nepal. Eve has worked predominantly in the corporate sector, in process management, event management and people management. Eve has also sat on the Executive Council, as Special Events Coordinator for the Able Management Group charity out of Melbourne. In 2007, Eve took a career change after being offered the role of Volunteer Coordinator with Volunteer Service Nepal, in Kathmandu. Since returning Eve has been keen to continue on this career path and believes her love for travel, love for the Australian bush and experience in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors align well with her current role within Visitation. Appointed November 2008. - Visitation Coordinator - John Deer
John comes to Bush Heritage with a strong outdoor background, having lived and worked in one of Australia’s most biodiverse and culturally significant areas, Kakadu National Park. More recently John returned from a year spent volunteering at various conservation projects throughout South America where he spent time studying and working to conserve threatened species. John’s experiences have given him a passion for the natural environment, and by working with Bush Heritage he feels he can have greater positive impact on a national scale. Appointed January 2009. - Volunteer Recruitment and Training Coordinator - Heidi Fisher
Heidi is from rural NSW where time spent assisting on her grandparent’s farm led her to love the bush. Heidi has a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University and experience in community development and horticulture. She has led and managed volunteers for several organisations including Conservation Volunteers Australia. Heidi is particularly interested in cultural heritage, rural development and human ecology. Appointed May 2008 - Eurady Tourism Officer, WA - Elizabeth Lescheid
Over the past ten years, Elizabeth has worked in the outdoor and environmental education field leading expedition style courses for the National Outdoor Leadership School and Outward Bound. Prior to that, she completed a MSc with a major research paper focusing on Deep Ecology. Her lifelong passion for Nature and the outdoors has combined with a love of travel and she has traveled and lived in many different countries. She moved to Australia from Canada in 2003 and her first three years here were spent traveling and working in different parts of the country. The past two years were spent as a Volunteer Ranger on Carnarvon Station Reserve where she participated in many reserve management activities as well as beginning studying Ornithology by coorespondence from Charles Sturt University. Her extensive experience as a traveler, guide/educator and Nature enthusiast has well prepared her for her position at Eurardy Reserve.
Fundraising and Communications
Publications Team
Publications Team Leader - Anna Crago
Anna Crago has worked in book publishing in Australia and the UK, commissioning and editing a wide range of books, both fiction and non-fiction. She was selected for the 2006 Australian Publishing Association’s Residential Editorial Program, and has been a judge for the Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards. Books she commissioned have been shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award, featured on British TV’s daytime bookshow, Richard and Judy, and won various design awards. Her interest in the environment and sustainability led her to Bush Heritage. Appointed September 2008
Production Officer - Susannah Burgess
Appointed October 2008.
Communications Officer - Annette Ruzicka
Appointed October 2008
Direct Marketing Team Leader - Ivars Draguns
B.Sc.(Hons), Grad Dip Mktg, M.Mktg (DrktMktg). Ivars has a marketing background from a wide variety of industry sectors, including pharmaceutical, FMCG, retail, financial services and customer contact centres. He brings to Bush Heritage experience in managing acquisition and retention campaigns utilising direct mail, telemarketing and online channels. For many years, Ivars has been involved in not for profit community organisations, with an emphasis on developing cost effective communication outcomes. Appointed 2007.
- Direct Marketing Officer / Analyst - Ira Sivasubramaniam
Ira has knowledge of direct mail, online and telemarketing and looks after data analysis of records. Appointed 2008
Web and Online Communications
Communications Producer - Peter Houghton
Peter started his career in advertising photography and then moved into directing television commercials. He has worked in the Internet industry for the past 15 years. Now working as a Multi Media Consultant, Peter has extensive experience in leading creative and technical teams for interactive and multimedia web production and media strategy. Peter is a member of Film Victoria's Digital Media Fund Evaluation and Assessment Committee. Appointed September 2006.
People and Finance
General Manager - Annette Stewart
MBA MSc Env. Man & Restoration. Annette Stewart has over 20 years' experience in information technology and financial services, as well as a passion for all things environmental. She has a Masters degree in both business administration and environmental management, and brings a wide range of skills and experience to help us continue our mission. Appointed 2004.
Governance
Linda Thomas - Governance Co-ordinator
Linda spent a number of years in analytical roles in the finance and retail sectors before choosing to take up administrative roles with non-profit organisations. Bush Heritage has enabled her to further her interest in the environment and conservation, as well as become more familiar with Australia and its many habitats. After filling the CEO Executive Assistant role for three years, Linda moved across to the Governance Coordinator position. Appointed 2005.
OHSE Manager - Geoff Nevard
Geoff has a passion for Environmental Health and Safety, with over 20 years experience in production, engineering, logistics and safety roles with a number of manufacturing organisations. Prior to joining Bush Heritage he was responsible for the Health and Safety programs of one of the Australian divisions of General Electric. Appointed 2007
IT Systems
Information Services Manager – Greg Love
Appointed February 2009
Information Technology and Database Officer – Richard Alcorn
Richard likes being in the bush and is interested in the science that illuminates the processes of the living world. He is a computer programmer, and has been a teacher, but right now believes he has the best job he has ever had, working with Bush Heritage to improve the efficiency of our IT systems. He says, ‘Why is it the best? Because the cause is right, the people fantastic, and the organisation efficient and effective. What more could one want?’ Appointed 2006.
Finance
Special Projects - Barry Toll
Finance Manager – Nihal Gunawardena
Appointed September 2008.
- Assistant Accountant - Rahul Gupta
Appointed September 2008. - Accounts Officer - Joy Dobie
Appointed November 2008
People and Organisation Development
People and Organisation Development Manager - Phil Dwyer
Phil has worked across numerous industries in service, manufacturing, distribution, and the arts primarily in the people and organisation development fields. Phil joins us after gaining an MBA from Monash Mt Eliza Business School and working with the Arts Centre as Organisation Development manager from 2000 to 2008. The previous 7 years Phil consulted in HR, business improvement and change management projects. Phil began his career as a teacher before moving into small business retail as an owner operator followed by a stint with a division of Brambles as Training and Quality Manager. Appointed March 2008.
- People and Organisation Development Officer- Lisa Wollermann
Appointed 2008