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Position commenced: August 2017
Joined the Board: June 2011
Interests: Keen birdwatcher and naturalist
Bush Heritage’s new President, Chris Grubb, has supported the organisation for more than 14 years, six of those through service on the Board and several Board committees.
With a background in the investment industry and experience as a director of several other public and non-profit organisations, Chris will guide Bush Heritage’s growth and leadership under its new strategic plan. But he also has a strong appreciation for the bush, and is driven by a personal vision to see the natural world protected for generations to come.
How did you first become involved with Bush Heritage?
About 15 years ago, I was invited to a Bush Heritage presentation. I came away from that presentation feeling totally inspired. It was pretty clear to me then that Bush Heritage was on a path to making a real difference to conservation in this country.
Are there any particular experiences in nature that have had a lasting impact on you?
There are many, but one that’s stuck with me took place on Bush Heritage’s Naree Station Reserve, up near the NSW-Queensland border. I was with a group of people walking through the landscape, and we stopped at a Coolabah Tree. Gerard O’Neill, our Chief Executive, said to us, “this tree is probably around 500 or 600 years old”.
The tree was full of swallow nests, spiders’ webs, and insects of all kinds. I remember thinking, "This tree has seen hundreds of years of evolution take place and it’s still standing here today – still providing a home for all kinds of birds and insects – and we're helping to protect it so it can continue to do so".
Why do you support Bush Heritage?
In supporting Bush Heritage, I'm doing something that I think is absolutely vital: protecting the birds, the bees, the bush and the flowers so that our children and our children’s children have the pleasure of hearing, seeing and smelling the same things that we've been able to experience in our lifetimes.
