Our people | Bush Heritage Australia Skip to main content
Sue O Connor Bush Heritage's President. Photo Annette Ruzicka
Image Information
Sue O Connor Bush Heritage's President. Photo Annette Ruzicka

Our Board

An independent, committed Board of Directors oversees the organisation, headed by President Sue O’Connor and Vice-President Phillip Cornwell.

Our Board

Our staff

Guided by our Senior Leadership Team, we employ about 200 staff around the country in roles as diverse as reserve management, indigenous partnerships, ecology, planning, human resources, finance, fundraising and marketing.

Senior Leadership Team
Rachel Lowry Bush Heritage Chief Executive Officer. Photo Bee Stephens
Image Information
Rachel Lowry Bush Heritage Chief Executive Officer. Photo Bee Stephens
Rebecca Spindler. Photo Annette Ruzicka
Image Information
Dr Rebecca Spindler. Photo Annette Ruzicka

Our science

Informing everything we do is a team of ecologists and researchers led by our Executive Manager, Science and Conservation – Dr Rebecca Spindler.

Dr Spindler has over 20 years of conservation science experience, working to improve the reproduction, health and conservation of rare and endangered species.

Conservation science

Our founder

“I was walking in Tasmania’s Liffey Valley in 1990 when I made a decision that began the journey we now know as Bush Heritage Australia... I was high above two beautiful bush blocks that had come up for sale and that logging companies were keen to buy... I thought about what might happen if someone didn’t protect that land."

Founder: Bob Brown
Caption of this image Bob Brown squats by a creek in the Liffey Valley.
Image Information
Bob Brown squats by a creek in the Liffey Valley.
Staff and volunteers at Scottsdale Reserve.
Image Information
Staff and volunteers at Scottsdale Reserve. Photo Bee Stephens.

Our volunteers

Volunteers have been vital to the success of Bush Heritage. We have a strong volunteer program with over 1,600 active volunteers supporting our work. 

Last financial year their contribution amounted to an incredible 40,627 hours! 

Volunteering

Ambassadors

We thank our ambassadors – Chris Darwin (great grandson of naturalist Charles Darwin), photographer Steve Parish and Phillip Adams (journalist).

Life members

A handful of very special people have made exceptional contributors to our success. Phillip ToyneDon RoyalBob Brown, Judy HendersonKaren Alexander, Louise Sylvan and Chris Grubb have all been awarded Life memberships.