Andrew has had a long association with the South Coast region. He began his 25 year career as an economics researcher with the Department of Agriculture, and subsequently worked as a consultant researcher. Andrew is a vegetable producer and lecturer with skills in recruitment, marketing, economic and financial analysis and strategic planning.

After his first project managing wind erosion on the South Coast Sandplain, Andrew was involved in a broad range of areas including new pasture species, waterlogging, dryland salinity, raised beds, improving livestock production and crop rotations.

In 2005, Andrew and his family moved to Albany  after completing a project with the NSW Department of Primary Industry on holistic catchment management and the implications for dryland salinity, biodiversity, carbon sequestration and farm finances.

Being brought up in a coastal town in the North West of WA, Andrew has a strong affinity with the ocean and coastal environment, and believes careful management is necessary to retain its amenity value.

Andrew now runs a small vegetable farm, aimed at supplying a diverse range of specialist lines for local consumers and restaurants throughout the Great Southern, South West and Perth metro area. The enterprise has a strong focus on limiting the impact of farm practices on the environment, mainly through using biocontrol agents and minimising the use of chemical pesticides.

Anne has worked in Local and State Government for over 40 years including roles as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Community Development.  Her experience includes community, regional and economic development in both metropolitan and regional locations across WA.

Her contribution to Local Government was recognised with a Meritorious Award and being conferred a Fellow by the Local Government Professionals Association (WA).  In 2018 Anne as made a Member of the Order of Australia for contribution to gender equality.

Anne has a Bachelor of Applied Science, a Master of Business Leadership and is a qualified Company Director and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  She is an experience non-executive director and currently also sits on the Boards of Albany Community Care.

Colin is a protected area specialist with extensive experience in natural land management. He has worked with two State conservation agencies for over 40 years, holding senior leadership positions in the WA Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions and its predecessors.

Colin brings experience in government administration, and policy, planning and research in the natural environment, with particular interest in the relationship between people and their use of, and interaction with, the natural environment. Colin also has a long association with the development of Aboriginal programs, including joint management, native title, Aboriginal employment and heritage management.

Marie is a qualified Director with extensive experience in the not-for-profit, Government, private and listed company sectors. She was formerly selected for, and completed, the Chairman’s mentor program run by the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Marie has a passionate interest in sustainable management of resources to allow all stakeholders to operate in the community. As a native Western Australian having worked in the resources sector for much of her career, Marie has an intimate understanding of the challenges of maintaining our natural environment whilst ensuring all stakeholders benefit.

Lenore has had a successful career as a senior manager in the not-for-profit, private and education sectors, specialising in strategic planning and business and product development. She began her career in the university sector as a social researcher specialising in gender and transnational labour migration in East and Southeast Asia and has lived and worked extensively across the Asia-Pacific.

Moving to the South Coast in 2006, Lenore and her husband established a successful ecotourism business showcasing the region’s unique biodiversity and heritage. Winning numerous awards at the local, state and national level, that business was inducted into the Western Australian Tourism Hall of Fame for Ecotourism in 2015.

In 2017, Lenore was appointed Project Director and then CEO of the Great Southern Centre for Outdoor Recreation Excellence (GSCORE, now Outdoors Great Southern). She currently works as a consultant helping tourism businesses and destination marketing organisations to build capacity and grow the nature-based, trails and adventure tourism market.  

Lenore has served on the Board of Directors of numerous professional associations, state peak bodies, and regional associations, including Australia’s South West, Outdoors WA, Trails WA, and the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation.

A passionate advocate of sustainable and responsible travel, Lenore has a strong interest in environmental education and regenerative tourism.