Volunteer Advisory Committee

Her work has taken her through diverse landscapes across Australia, from alpine regions to semi-arid deserts and urban environments. She is passionate about conservation and has a strong interest in mammal reintroductions. Chagi has volunteered with Bush Heritage at two Special Wildlife Reserves in Queensland, Pullen Pullen Reserve and Edgbaston Reserve. Throughout her career, she has worked alongside many enthusiastic ecology volunteers and understands the crucial role volunteers play in conserving the natural environment.  

Ruth is a passionate educator – first as a school teacher and later as an academic in the Humanities. In 2017, she became a student at her own university and undertook a Graduate Certificate in Sustainability, which strengthened her determination to contribute practically to the environment.

“I have always been very impressed by the professionalism, dedication and impact of Bush Heritage and am delighted to have the opportunity to support such a valuable organisation.” 

Previously, Liz co-managed a consultancy with her husband, specializing in facilitation, team building, and strategic planning for rural and remote clients.

Currently, Liz works part time with a profit for purpose environmental consultancy during the summer months while co-managing two conservation-covenanted properties in Victoria. In winter, she volunteers with Bush Heritage Australia and other conservation organisations, having spent time recently on the Ethabuka, Pilungah, and Edgbaston reserves.

Liz’s commitment to volunteering extends to her local community, where she has served as Secretary for her local Landcare group and a social enterprise recycling initiative that creates employment opportunities while reducing landfill.

“I am excited about the opportunity to be a part of the advisory committee at this time with Bush Heritage expanding its number of reserves across Australia.  I look forward to the opportunity to strengthen the volunteer program to make an even greater contribution to the protection of our valuable and unique landscapes.” 

Ben has a long history of volunteering for conservation and biodiversity conservation projects across Australia. Ben grew up on a farming property near Geraldton in Western Australia and supported Bush Heritage in its early purchase of properties in WA including Charles Darwin Reserve and properties in the Fitz-Stirling section of Gondwana Link.

Ben has volunteered and worked extensively in many aspects of private conservation and land management including seed collecting, planting and direct seeding, erosion control, fauna identification and survey, fencing and fence removal! Ben lives and works in central Victoria on a small property bordering state forest and is working on its restoration and management.

“I have a deep commitment to Bush Heritage’s objectives, and I'm always inspired by how much they've achieved across Australian Landscapes. I'm excited to be able to contribute to these objectives through joining the Volunteer Advisory Committee and contributing my knowledge of volunteering, land management, and biodiversity conservation.” 

Now semi-retired, he spent much of his career as a Medical Practitioner in the RAAF, now doing some Reserve work. He is a specialist in Occupational Medicine, Public Health Medicine and Aerospace Medicine, and had deployments in East Timor, Solomon Islands and several times in the Middle East. He has also been active with organisations such as Doctors for the Environment Australia and Royal Australasian College of Physicians, holding a number of volunteer management roles.

He has a great love of the natural environment and spends time bushwalking (such as completing the South Coast Track in the southern Tasmania wilderness). He lives in Canberra with his wife, Heather, who is also a keen Bush Heritage supporter and volunteer.

“I have so much love and respect for all that Bush Heritage stands for, and the enlightened and dedicated people who make it work, both employees and supporters. There is so much more to be done across society to meet our challenges, but engaging more deeply with Bush Heritage is a way for me to contribute to that change.”

She co-founded and jointly ran the Repair Café Surf Coast for five years, was the Regional Coordinator for the Friends of the Hooded Plover Surf Coast for several years, working closely with volunteers and land managers, and educating the public. Sue has completed a range of fauna surveys, animal trapping, data collection and vegetation surveys as part of organisational biodiversity surveying and supporting academic research in remote locations.

Living in a small community and with an interest in health access and aged care she recently spent six years serving as a Board Director on a regional health service board. Sue also supports refugees in her area with English language classes.

“Volunteering is integral to the success of Bush Heritage achieving its goals, and it’s part of my DNA. I’m very excited to be part of the VAC and the Bush Heritage family, and to be able to advocate on behalf of volunteers and help promote and grow the success of the Bush Heritage volunteer program”