Our Staff

Chief Executive Officer

Gerard O'Neill

Gerard became the CEO of Bush Heritage Australia in late 2011. He brings to the organisation a wealth of expertise gained through an extensive career in conservation and land management. After completing his science degree at Canberra University in 1979, he became a park ranger in the newly established Kakadu National Park. From there he went on to take up roles in park management and ecological survey in central Australia, East Gippsland and the Victorian mallee.

In 1995 Gerard was appointed as an executive in the then Victorian Department of Conservation and Natural Resources before taking up a role with Parks Victoria in 2001. In 2007 he was appointed Deputy Chief Executive of Parks Victoria, and in 2010 he additionally took on the role of Chief Operating Officer.

Gerard is a member of the Leadership Victoria alumni, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas.

Being a keen bird watcher, Gerard is often out and about, visiting the wild and remote parts of Australia.

Conservation Team

Senior Manager - Pip Walsh
BSc  •  Pip has over 20 years' experience in the not for profit sector working for a range of organisations with diverse business models, and has been part of senior management teams for both WWF and Greening Australia for over 10 years.  She was CEO of Greening Australia NSW prior to taking on this role at Bush Heritage.  Pip has also worked in leadership roles at the NSW Nature Conservation Trust and the National Parks Association NSW.  She has worked across all jurisdictions in Australia including in the planning of large scale conservation programs on private and Indigenous land including innovative Ramsar listings.  Pip is the leader of the Australian Conservation Action Planning Coaches Network in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, which focuses on helping teams and their coaches improve their strategic planning and delivery.  Appointed 2011.

Science and Monitoring

Science and Monitoring Manager - Dr Jim Radford
BSc (Hons), PhD (Applied Ecology)  •  Jim manages the ecological outcomes monitoring program on Bush Heritage's reserves and partner properties, and also manages Bush Heritage's research partnerships. In 2002, Jim completed a PhD on the ecology of white-browed treecreepers. He then spent 6 years researching the effects of land-use change on avifaunal communities in northern Victoria. His research interests include understanding the interplay between behavioural responses to landscape change and the ecological processes that determine the distribution and abundance of fauna. He is passionate about transferring this understanding into principles and guidelines for ecologically sustainable landscape management. Appointed 2008.

Ecologist Coordinator (and Ecologist Tasmania, Kosciuszko to Coast, South-West Botanical Province) - Dr Matt Appleby
BSc (Hons), PhD (Environmental Studies)   •  Matt has extensive experience 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 2007. 

Ecologist (Gulf to Lake Eyre and North Australia) - Max Tischler
BSc (Hons), PhD (Community Ecology) in progress  •  Max has been working in the Australian arid zone for the past 12 years, on a range of projects focused on the ecology of small mammals, reptiles and birds. He is particularly interested in the dynamics of bird communities. He also works with the Pastoral and Indigenous Partnerships Program, and sees the integration of conservation and production as essential for future land management in semi-arid and arid Australia. Appointed 2009.

Ecologist (Gondwana Link, Western Australia) - Angela Sanders
BSc (Environmental Science)  •  Angela has worked in a variety of conservation-based fields over the past 25 years, including as ecologist in the Fitzgerald Biosphere Reserve, assessing the conservation value of remnant vegetation and providing management guidelines, conducting vertebrate fauna surveys across Western Australia, and collecting environmental oral histories of wetlands and waterways in southern Western Australia. She is based in Albany and is the ecologist for the Gondwana Link Fitzgerald to Stirling operational area. Appointed 2008.

Ecologist (South-East Grassy Box Woodlands) - Sandy Gilmore
BSc (Hons), PhD in progress  •  Sandy 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 works on selecting properties for acquisition, and management planning and research on reserves in temperate Australia. Appointed 2005. 

Ecologist (Queensland Uplands and Brigalow Belt) - Murray Haseler
BSc (Ecology), Grad Dip Tropical Ecology  •  Murray previously 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.

Freshwater Ecologist - Dr Adam Kerezsy
BEnvSci (Hons), BA, Grad Dip Aquaculture, Grad Dip Ed, PhD  •  Having completed an Honours project on fish in outback New South Wales, Adam has recently been awarded a PhD on fish in outback Queensland. Obviously, studying fish in the outback is a recurring theme in Adam's life! Fittingly, he now works at Bush Heritage's Edgbaston Reserve, looking after endangered fish that live in artesian springs. Adam has also worked on contracts for government agencies such as the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Department of Primary Industries in rural New South Wales, and as a journalist and teacher. Appointed 2009.

Strategy, Policy and Acquisition

Strategy, Policy and Acquisition Manager - Dr Kate Fitzherbert
BSc (Hons), PhD (Ornithology)  •  Kate 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.

Regional Strategies Coordinator - Jen Grindrod
BA/BSc  •  Jen coordinates Bush Heritage's regionally-based conservation strategies which inform the organisation's conservation program, including reserve acquisition and operations, and partnership development. Jen started at Bush Heritage as a volunteer in 2006, both in the office and on reserves, to complement her university studies in environmental science and politics. After finishing her degrees Jen spent six months travelling and volunteering around Australia to immerse herself in our environment and culture. Upon returning to Melbourne, Jen filled a number of short-term contracts at Bush Heritage in the areas of volunteering and Indigenous training and employment. She recently completed a secondment with Trust for Nature (Victoria). Jen is passionate about ensuring that Bush Heritage's conservation efforts are as effective as possible. She has also trained as a coach for Conservation Action Planning, a tool used for planning effective ecological management. Appointed 2008.

Investment Proposals Coordinator - Annette Stewart
MBA, MSc Env Man Restoration  •  Annette has over 20 years of 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 Bush Heritage achieve its mission. Annette spent the first 5 years at Bush Heritage as General Manager, and is now working in the Conservation team on proposed new acquisitions and partnerships. Appointed 2004.

Property Planning Coordinator - Clair Dougherty
BSocSci(Env), DipEnvMan, DipVisArts  •  After working in the environmental field both in local government and in big business, Clair saw the light and moved into the not-for-profit sector. Clair previously spent several years as a furniture designer, and has a particular interest in using sustainable materials. She has also trained as a coach for Conservation Action Planning, a tool used for planning effective ecological management. Appointed 2007. 

Legal Counsel (Conservation) - Sandra Anderson
Solicitor (Commercial and Property Law), BA/LLB, Grad Dip Legal Practice  •  Sandra has recently returned to Bush Heritage after a 12 month sojourn in private legal practice. Sandra's expertise in commercial and property law ensures that Bush Heritage has the in-house capacity to manage many of the legal consequences of our property ownership across all state and territory jurisdictions of Australia. Her role involves the highly specialised area of conservation covenanting and Sandra continues to develop and nurture sound partnerships between Bush Heritage and all state covenanting agencies and environmental departments while negotiating covenants for both our existing and new reserves. Sandra's role also involves the provision and management of professional advice on issues pertaining to, for example, environmental law, mining law issues (particularly in Western Australia and South Australia) and the emerging market of carbon rights.

Property Assessment Coordinator - Paul Foreman
B(For)Sci, MSc (Botany)   •  Paul has extensive experience in state and local government, as well as botanical consultancy and with other NGOs. He has a particular interest in grassy ecosystems and worked with Trust for Nature (Victoria) from 1999 to 2002. Appointed 2005.

Spatial Information Coordinator - (vacant)

Indigenous Partnerships

Indigenous Programs Manager - Justin McCaul
BLeisMgt (Cultural Development), GCCommun (Social Change Communication), Master of Global Media Communication (in progress)  •  Justin started his career in the Indigenous and community arts sector in Brisbane in the 1990s. In 2000 he ventured to northeast Cambodia where he worked as a community education advisor on a United Nations-funded rural development project. From 2001 to 2003 he was communications advisor on a World Bank-funded biodiversity project in Virachey National Park, one of Cambodia's largest protected areas. In Cambodia he worked predominantly with Indigenous hill tribes people on conservation and sustainable development outcomes. Returning to Australia in 2004, Justin undertook postgraduate studies before taking up a media and communications role with the Australian Conservation Foundation's Northern Australia Program. Justin brings to Bush Heritage experience in Indigenous-led conservation, community engagement and communications and media. Justin is a descendent of the Barbarum people west of Cairns in north Queensland. Appointed 2011.

Indigenous Programs Policy Officer - Sarah Eccles
BA (Hist & Indigenous Studies), Dip Nat Res Manag  •  Sarah is of Watharung descent, and 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 Officer (North Australia) - Emma Ignjic
BA (Hons) Anthropology  •  Emma has experience working to support Indigenous governance and participation in conservation management with community-based Aboriginal land and sea management programs (Aurukun Land and Sea Management program), peak regional Indigenous organisations (Balkanu), non-government conservation organisations (The Wilderness Society) and the tertiary education sector (James Cook University). Her position involves facilitating partnerships with Indigenous people to support ‘caring for country' and conservation outcomes. Appointed 2009.

 Wunambal Gaambera healthy Country Manager - Tom Vigilante
Appointed 2011.

Business Development Team

Chief Operating Officer - Marnie Ireland
BEng (Env) Hons, MBA  •  Marnie has a strong commitment to sustainability - balancing environmental and social considerations with economic factors - and has a particular interest in fostering Indigenous economic development. She comes to Bush Heritage with a strong background in regional-scale natural resource management strategic planning, developed during her time working in a range of roles with various government departments and agencies, multinational engineering corporations and non-profit organizations on water-related issues. Marnie has a strong background in strategic planning, project management, contract administration and operations. Through her PhD research Marnie has developed a sustainability scorecard tool for freight transport logistics in rural areas. Most recently, her focus has been on business development and capacity-building roles as a consultant to various Indigenous businesses across Australia and an ecology research center. These experiences have fostered a keen interest in and excitement about what can be achieved in the next 5-10 years and beyond with Bush Heritage Australia and our partners. Appointed 2010.

People & Organisational Development Team

People and Organisation Development Manager - Fiona Hann
BA (Psychology and Criminology), BComm (Human Resources)   •  Fiona has over 12 years' experience in the human resources field working for a large automotive manufacturer. She commenced working with Bush Heritage in 2005, developing people management policies and procedures. After a short break, Fiona is delighted to return to Bush Heritage and looks forward to using her broad range of experience in people management to support the continued growth of the organisation. Appointed 2010.

People and Organisation Development Officer - Lisa Wollermann
BSocSci (Psych)   •  Lisa began at Bush Heritage through a work placement during studies. In her current role, she is responsible for supporting the organisation through providing front-line human resources services and advice, and contributing to organisation development initiatives. Appointed 2007.

Finance

Finance Director - Nadine Ponomarenko
BBus (Acc), CA, MBA • Nadine has extensive financial, commercial and consulting experience in accounting, finance and project management in a diverse range of organisations, including telecommunications, resources and manufacturing throughout Australia and overseas. Nadine's role includes responsibility for all financial matters as well as partnering with the Senior Management Team and Board of Directors. Appointed 2010.

Accounts and Administration Officer - Sylvia Mak
B.Bus (Accounting), ASA  •  Sylvia has extensive experience in diverse industries in the area of accounts payable. She also has experience in the accounting field, working as an Assistant Accountant for a few years with Deloitte in Hong Kong. Sylvia is also involved in the payroll area, where she can once again broaden her knowledge in the accounting field. Appointed 2010.

Finance Officer - Sue Chen
BA, MAcc (Hons)  •  Sue joined Bush Heritage after working as an intern for three months. Sue's current role involves assisting the Finance Team with generating reports and other financial activities. Appointed 2010.

Governance and Systems team

Governance & Business Systems Team Leader - Chantal Fowler
BParkMan (Business Management)  •  Chantal 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.

OH&S and Risk Coordinator - Eve Jani
Adv. Dip. Business Marketing  •  After graduating, Eve headed off to travel the world, living and working in Dublin, London and more recently in Nepal. Professionally, she has worked predominantly in the corporate sector, in process management, event management and people management, although she has also worked as a volunteer coordinator with Volunteer Service Nepal. She also sat on the Executive Council, as Special Events Coordinator for the Able Management Group charity out of Melbourne. Appointed 2008.

Grant Administrator - Julia Peacock
Julia supports both the conservation and fundraising staff at Bush Heritage to meet the requirements of granting bodies. Julia's passion for conserving the Australian bush led her to train as an ecologist and she has previously worked on the listing of species as threatened under federal environment legislation. More recently, Julia gained experience in grants management at the Federal Office for the Arts where she managed an employment program for Indigenous Australians. She is currently working part-time (3 days per week) whilst completing a Masters of Environment at the University of Melbourne. Appointed 2011.

Governance Coordinator & Executive Assistant - Linda Thomas
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. Appointed 2005. 

Access and Volunteers

Access and Volunteer Team Leader - Katrina Blake
Dip Nat Res Man  •  Katrina has a strong love for the environment, with a background in outdoor adventure tourism, outdoor education and a diploma in Natural Resource Management. Katrina first started at Bush Heritage as the Visitation Coordinator, and then moved into the role of Access and Volunteer Team Leader. Appointed 2005.

Volunteer Recruitment and Training Officer - Heidi Fisher
BA (Anthropology), Dip (Health Science) •  Heidi is from rural New South Wales, where she has worked on family and other farms. Heidi also worked in production and retail horticulture before moving into the NGO sector. Her professional experience includes neighbourhood centre management, community development and the delivery of various volunteer supported projects and events for organisations including Conservation Volunteers Australia. Appointed 2008.

Land Management Team

Senior Manager - David Whitelaw
BSc (Environmental Management)  •  David has worked extensively in the south-west and Pilbara regions of Western Australia and most recently in Tasmania, primarily engaged in protected area management within state government. He brings to Bush Heritage leadership and management skills in the field of operations as well as his previous experience 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 2009.

Regional Manager, Northern Australia – Steve Heggie
AssocDipAppSc  •  Steve completed studies in Parks and Wildlife at the University of Adelaide, before building a career and extensive experience in the management of conservation reserves during time as a ranger in Victorian, South Australian and Kakadu National Parks. In 2001 he was appointed as the first full-time Bush Heritage reserve manager on Carnarvon Station Reserve. He became the Reedy Creek Reserve Manager in 2004 and took up the Regional Manager for Northern Australia position in 2008. Appointed 2004.

Reserve Manager, Cravens Peak and Ethabuka reserves – Peter Welldon
Peter has worked in both the private and public sectors, developing knowledge and practical skills through a diverse career and life experiences. He enjoyed a rural upbringing in Central Western Queensland where he worked in cattle and sheep production. He then joined in the Royal Australian Army, working in engineering and electronics, and later the Correctional Services specialising in juvenile justice. In recent years, Peter has been working in the tropics as a Senior Ranger in the Ross River Dam and Paluma Dam catchment areas, specialising in water quality, dam safety, eco-tourism and water recreation. During this time Peter worked with community organisations and school groups promoting an understanding and of water quality and land conservation issues and practices. Appointed 2011.

Field Officer, Cravens Peak and Ethabuka reserves – Mauritz (Mo) Pieterse
Dip Marine Tech • Born in South Africa, with many years living in New Zealand and now Australia, Mo has spent most of his life working and living on nature reserves with wild animals, and a favourite, reptiles. It's a family thing; Mo's father was Director of Mapumalanga Parks Board and his mother the head of the Herpetological association in Pretoria. After completing his Diploma in Marine Technology in NZ, Mo moved to Australia and worked all around Queensland and Torres Straights with Greening Australia, and most recently with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service as a Ranger. Mo brings to BHA a lifetime of knowledge and experience of the natural environment, extensive fire, feral and weed experience, and a spirit that compliments the BHA culture. Appointed 2011.

Reserve Manager, Carnarvon Station Reserve – Chris Wilson
Chris has an extensive knowledge of practical conservation management across a range of semi-arid landscapes. He worked with Queensland National Parks for 8 years as a Natural Resource Ranger and Ranger in Charge. Chris has a strong background in on-ground conservation practices, including weed control, fire management and feral animal control. A rural upbringing in the grazing industry and his experience as owner/operator of a rural contracting business gave Chris his close association with the land. Chris lives at Carnarvon station with his wife Alison and three children. Appointed 2009.

Field Officer, Carnarvon Station Reserve – Mat McLean
Mat grew up in country Victoria in a family of dedicated campers and outdoor enthusiasts. He then settled into a travelling lifestyle that saw him working and travelling around Australia and overseas for 15 years. In 2000 he settled in Jabiru, working for Parks Australia as a field ranger in Kakadu National Park. In 2006 Mat and his young family relocated to Agnes Water, where he took up a ranger position with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Before moving to Carnarvon Station Reserve, Mat worked as Reedy Creek Reserve Manager. With solid practical conservation land management skills and enthusiasm, he hopes to advance the work of Bush Heritage Australia. Appointed 2009.

Reserve Manager, Yourka Reserve (job-share) – Leanne Hales
BA (Psychology, Geography, Environmental Science) • Leanne has a strong background in environmental education, and visitor and natural resource management. Leanne spent 8 years working for Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service in a range of roles throughout national parks in central Queensland. 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. Appointed 2005, commenced at Yourka in 2008.

Reserve Manager, Yourka Reserve (job-share) - Paul Hales
Paul grew up on properties in central Queensland and has extensive skills and experience in natural resource management. Paul's natural resource management roles have included running weed control programs for the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of the Environment, and 10 years with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. His last position was Ranger-in-Charge at Diamantina Catchment, covering over 400 million acres of arid channel country. Paul has extensive practical fire management experience, including coordinating emergency services at fires. Paul is also an accredited firearms trainer. Appointed 2005, commenced at Yourka in 2008.

Reserve Manager, Reedy Creek (job share) – Nella Lithgow
BEd, Grad Cert Traffic Safety  •  Nella grew up in country Victoria, which led to her love of the bush. She later spent 25 years as a high school teacher in both remote and populated areas. A sense of adventure has taken her to many parts of the world. Her fascination for red sand has led her on many isolated desert trips throughout Australia, and ultimately resulted in her appointment at Bush Heritage's largest red sand-pit, Cravens Peak! Appointed 2008.

Reserve Manager, Reedy Creek (job share) – Mark Lithgow
Mark moved across the Tasman Sea to Australia in the 70s to take up viticulture in the cool climate of the Yarra Valley of Victoria. In the mid 80s he established a vineyard with Nella and grew award-winning chardonnay. Over a 22-year period Mark held two senior positions in both viticulture and winemaking. Mark is an experienced fire-fighter and a qualified 4WD instructor, has a love for remote travel, and is hooked on deserts and survival. Appointed 2008.

Regional Manager, South Australia and Western Australia – Glen Norris
Originally from country NSW, Glen has an extensive background in earthmoving, soil conservation and project management in the telecommunications, civil construction, and agricultural industries, which has seen him involved in a wide array of remote and metropolitan projects. Glen spent two and a half years as National Operations Officer at Bush Heritage headquarters in Melbourne, developing the operational capacity of the organisation. Appointed 2007.

Gondwana Link Partnership and Kojonup Reserve Manager – Simon Smale
BHortSc (Hons), Postgrad Dip Landscape Architecture  •  Prior to taking up a job with Bush Heritage, Simon worked for a year with Greening Australia (WA) as its Gondwana Link Program Manager, and for 21 years as a landscape architect with the Department of Conservation in New Zealand, with built projects on the ground the length and breadth of the country. He had close involvement with development and delivery of Maori training packages for Department of Conservation staff, and with the development of collaborative conservation partnerships with Maori. Simon was the first non-Maori front person for a series of bilingual television programs on New Zealand''s Maori Television channel. He has undertaken conservation projects for The Nature Conservancy and other NGOs in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, China and Lao PDR. Allied with his training and experience as a landscape architect, he has a keen interest in landscape ecology, and in particular in the management of indigenous biodiversity and ecosystems in the context of working rural landscapes. Appointed 2009. 

Reserve Manager, Boolcoomatta Reserve (job-share) – Emma Ashton
BA (Communication Management), Cert III Conservation Land Management  •  Emma began her career in the communications field, working in marketing and public relations roles for almost 10 years. Emma grew up in country Victoria, and has always enjoyed working and living in rural communities. Emma and Peter share their position at Boolcoomatta, allowing Emma to teach their children through Broken Hill School of the Air. Appointed 2008.

Reserve Manager, Boolcoomatta Reserve (job-share) – Peter Ashton
BSc (Environmental Management)   •  Peter has over 14 years of experience in the protected land management field, principally as a ranger with Parks Victoria in locations including Eastern Melbourne, Kerang, Tallangatta/North-East Victoria and the Otways region. Peter's more recent work was in the application and planning of ecological burning principles. Peter also has well-developed skills in GIS mapping and remote sensing techniques associated with land management. Appointed 2008.

Reserve Manager, Charles Darwin Reserve – Dale Fuller
Dale has an extensive background in natural resource management, having worked 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 2009. 

Reserve Manager, Eurardy Reserve (job-share) – Matthew Warnock
Appointed 2005, commenced at Eurardy in 2008.

Reserve Manager, Eurardy Reserve (job share) – Elizabeth Lescheid
MSc (Deep Ecology)   •  Over the past 10 years, Elizabeth has worked in the outdoor and environmental education field, leading expedition-style courses for the National Outdoor Leadership School and Outward Bound. Her lifelong passion for nature and the outdoors has combined with a love of travel and she has travelled and lived in many different countries. She moved to Australia from Canada in 2003, and from 2006 to 2008, Elizabeth lived and worked (mostly in a volunteer capacity) on Carnarvon Station Reserve. During that time, she contributed in many ways to the successful running of the property. That experience was also valuable for her staff position on Eurardy Reserve, where since her arrival she has worked in a role primarily related to tourism. Her work has been vital in providing strategic direction regarding a more sustainable approach to the tourism operation on this reserve, and potentially for the organisation in general. In October 2009, Elizabeth officially became part of the Reserve Management team on Eurardy Reserve. She is also currently following her passion for birds by studying ornithology at Charles Sturt University. Appointed 2007, commenced at Eurardy in 2008.

Reserve Manager, Bon Bon Reserve – Glen Norris
See above. 

Regional Manager, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania – Alistair Dermer
AppSci (Protected Area Management and Ecotourism)  •  Alistair offers Bush Heritage a diverse range of natural resource management, operational and practical skills and experience. Alistair grew up on a semi-self sufficient property in north-east Victoria, where he learned core conservation values and practical skills at a young age. Following his studies, Alistair worked in a range of government and non-government jobs. Some of his experiences have included managing the Eyre and Broome Bird Observatories in Western Australia, sea bird research at Macquarie Island, fox bait trails and baseline fauna data collection in Tasmania, management of a variety of conservation programs, and the shared position of the first full-time reserve manager at Bush Heritage's Ethabuka Reserve in Queensland. Since then, Alistair has built his own family home and has been employed by the Australian Antarctic Division as the Station Support Coordinator within the Operations Unit. Appointed 2010. 

Regional Reserve Manager, South-East Australia – Peter Saunders
Peter manages conservation and infrastructure work across Bush Heritage's New South Wales and Victorian reserves (Scottsdale, Tarcutta Hills, Brogo, Burrin Burrin, ‘Nameless' Sylvan and Nardoo Hills). Formerly working as a Chartered Aircraft Engineer, Peter changed his career some years ago when he worked to develop management systems and compliance regimes for environmental management within a major federal department. This work ran concurrently with the management of his own 110-ha property focusing on native grass seed production and a low-intensity grazing enterprise. This work developed into his own small business in rural contracting and natural resource management services and the formalising of his experience with postgraduate study at the Australian National University prior to taking up employment with Bush Heritage Australia in 2009. Living in Gundaroo, New South Wales with his wife and two daughters, Peter is a keen sailor and an active member of the community, being on the Commons Trust, the Yass Area Landcare Network committee and an active Rural Fire Service member. Appointed 2009.

Field Officer, Nardoo Hills Reserves – Jeroen Van Veen
Dip Cons & Land Man  •  Jeroen has a keen understanding of the precarious state of Australia's biodiversity and spends his time at Bush Heritage looking after the Nardoo Hills Reserves in Victoria's central north. Jeroen has a background in conservation and land management and aims to repair the reserve's natural assets. Highlights for Jeroen are the rediscovery of plants and animals previously unknown at the Nardoo Hills Reserves, making a comeback. Appointed 2010.

Marketing Team

Chief Marketing Officer - Michael Fogarty
Michael comes to Bush Heritage after eight years' experience as the Director of Marketing and General Manager with the Australian Conservation Foundation. He has been a board member of the Roundtable of Non-profit Organisations, Chair of EarthShare Australia and a member of The Wilderness Society's National Finance Committee. He's also worked in the film industry and consulted to a range of non-profit organisations. Michael is inspired by the outstanding beauty, diversity and richness of the Australian landscape and is proud to be working for its protection with Bush Heritage. Appointed 2009.

Community Engagement

Campaign Manager - Position vacant

Anchors in the Landscape Campaign Coordinator – Liz Hackett
BA (Television Production), MA (Broadcasting and Electronic Communication), Nursing and Management of Australian Wildlife  •  Liz has a background in television production, information technology and administration, including many years at IBM Australia as Digital Media Sales Lead/Knowledge Manager. A lifelong environmentalist, she has produced her own nature documentary on the mountain pygmy possum, worked as a volunteer with Conservation Volunteers Australia since 2004, and was awarded Earthwatch Australia's Volunteer of the Year in 2008 for her research work investigating climate change in the Arctic. Liz plans to see all species of penguin during her lifetime: ten down, seven to go! Her passion for the environment led her to join Bush Heritage. Appointed 2009.

Campaign Officer – Maria Tolentino
Appointed 2010.

Philanthropy Executive – Roewen Wishart
BA (Hons), LLB (Hons), MPubPol, CFRE  •  Roewen has worked as a professional fundraiser for over 15 years, and before this as a policy analyst and lawyer. He has completed a Master of Public Policy and the internationally recognised Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). Until 2007 he was responsible for overall fundraising at Bush Heritage Australia, and now specialises in major gifts, with a special interest in innovative structures for philanthropy and not-for-profit project financing. He is a member of the Fundraising Institute of Australia's national Ethics Committee, and a Board member of Diplomacy Training Program. Appointed 2001.

Philanthropy Executive – Angie Smashnuk
BA, Assoc Cert Fundraising Management  •  Angie has fundraising experience in both the health and education sectors. Originally from Canada, her passion for animals, the environment and sustainable living led her to work at Bush Heritage Australia. Appointed 2009.

Philanthropy Executive – Anna Crago
BA  •  Anna spent eighteen months producing Bush Heritage's print publications and marketing materials before joining the Community Engagement team. Prior to joining Bush Heritage, she spent fifteen years in the publishing industry, where she commissioned, edited and published a wide range of fiction, non-fiction and specialist books. Her skills in relationship building combined with an interest in conservation led her to this new role at Bush Heritage. Appointed 2008.

Philanthropy Executive – Penny Reiners
Penny has worked in fundraising for over 10 years. Experienced in major gifts, bequests and events, her previous role was with the Lort Smith Animal Hospital. She comes from South Australia, loves the outback and is passionate about conserving the Australian bush. Appointed 2011.

Philanthropy Executive, Planned Giving – Annie Mayo
BA (Hons) •  Annie was promoted to this position at the end of 2011 after having first worked as Bequest Officer. She's has been a passionate advocate of Bush Heritage for over 15 years as a donor, bequestor and volunteer but never thought she'd be fortunate enough to work for them. Then the position in Bequests arose. When not at work, Annie's a keen birder, weaver, reader and stop-start veggie grower. Appointed 2011

Fundraising and Communications

Fundraising and Communications Manager – Alice Walter
Alice Walter is a fundraising and communications professional with over 10 years' experience working for social justice, international development and environment organisations in Australia and the UK. She has helped these organisations - including the British Red Cross, Oxfam Australia and the Australian Conservation Foundation - significantly increase their income bases and communities of support. She is passionate about Australia's unique landscapes and protecting the bushland she grew up with for future generations. Appointed 2010.

Media and Public Relations Team Leader – Annette Ruzicka
Annette has a strong marketing background, having previously worked for corporations such as Caterpillar and Visy across various branding and campaign activities. A compelling need to ‘do her bit' to protect the natural environment led her to join the Bush Heritage team. Appointed 2008.

Publications Team Leader – Bron Willis
BA (English), Dip Professional Writing and Editing  •  Bron brings to Bush Heritage experience in engaging audiences through print and online publications, and a passion for the Australian bush. Previously Bron was Associate Editor for not-for-profit organisation Bicycle Victoria, editing their member magazine Ride On and other publications. She has also worked in a marketing agency as a writer and copyeditor for a range of clients on their print and digital communications, and as a freelance writer for Wild magazine. She also has a background in film and TV production. Bron inherited a love of the Australian bush at a young age and hikes regularly in the national parks of Victoria and Tasmania. Appointed 2010.

Web Content Officer – Craig Allen
BSc (hons)  •  Craig is responsible for Bush Heritage's online presence. Craig's web development and writing expertise are grounded by an eclectic career in environmental science, management and education. He has worked on projects studying wetland ecology in South Australia, finch ecology on the Northern Territory, small mammal and riverine invertebrate ecology in Northern New South Wales and saltmarsh ecology in Sydney. In Victoria he worked to conserve wetlands and native grasslands with the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority. Before joining Bush Heritage, Craig was a freelance web developer and graphic artist, and cofounded the Connies environmental education collective. Appointed 2011.

Direct and Digital Marketing Team Leader – Alex Monday
BA (Hons) English  •  Responsible for Bush Heritage's direct marketing activities across all channels, Alex comes to the role with a background in fundraising and marketing for a range of not-for-profit organisations in both the UK and Australia. She hopes to now build on her previous experience in conservation fundraising to help advance the work of Bush Heritage. Appointed 2011.

Database and Supporter Services Team leader – Darren Pilkington
Darren has 11 years of experience in managing databases. He started off at the Carlton Football club before moving to the Arts Centre where he spent 6 years as the Database Coordinator and 2 years as the Marketing Intelligence Manager. Darren then moved to the AFL where he spent 2.5 years as the Database and Systems Coordinator. Appointed 2011.

Receptionist – Soundri Pillay
Soundri is a singer who is quite good at organising stationery and biscuits.  She has enjoyed babysitting a variety of marsupials and providing various groups and individuals with artwork, voiceovers, and admin assistance. Appointed 2011.

Database Officer – Gen Smith

Supporter Services Officer – Koly  Namdarian
BHoMgt  •  Koly has a Bachelor in Hospitality Management and has worked in a variety of fields, including engineering, real estate, hospitality, health, retail and education. Having a passion for the environment she loves what Bush Heritage does, and enjoys talking to and helping all our supporters. Koly also volunteers with Interchange Outer East, which provides programs and services to families of children and young adults with disabilities. Appointed 2011