Management Committee
Paul Birch
Independent Chair
Mr Paul Birch is an Independent Chair of the Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership, Management Committee. Paul has a background in finance and more than 30 years of experience in the corporate world. He was previously National Finance Manager for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). He joined FBA in 2008 as the Corporate Services Manager, and was elevated to the position of Chief Executive Officer of FBA in 2012.
Brent Mclellan
Management Committee
Brent is a Community Representative on the GHHP Management Committee. Brent is the Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement (TUMRA) Coordinator at Gidarjil Development Corporation based in Bundaberg. The Port Curtis Coral Coast Regional TUMRA was developed under the Reef Rescue Land and Sea Country Indigenous Partnerships Program authorised in 2011, and extends from Burrum Heads, south of Bundaberg, north to the mouth of the Fitzroy River and includes Curtis Island off Gladstone.
Dr Megan Ellis
Management Committee
Dr Megan Ellis is Gladstone Ports Corporation’s representative on the GHHP Management Committee.
Dr Ellis is a well-respected Marine Scientist at Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC), with more than 20 years of experience in environmental research. She continues to play an active role in research efforts, recently contributing to papers on topics such as seagrass ecosystems and grey nurse and wobbegong sharks.
In her spare time, Dr Ellis is a passionate volunteer during turtle nesting and hatching season, and is also an avid supporter of the next generation of environmental leaders. In addition to her role with the GHHP Management Committee, Dr Ellis is also a member of Gladstone’s Local Marine Advisory Committee and the Technical Sub-committee of the Port Curtis Integrated Monitoring Program
Alan Hayter
Management Committee
Alan Hayter is an Environment Lead at Conoco Phillips and their representative on the GHHP Management Committee.
Patrick Hastings
Management Committee
Patrick is the CEO of the Gladstone Industry Leadership Group (GILG). GILG is a not for profit organisation focused on the management and resolution of issues of mutual regional concern for seven of Australia’s largest industrial sites. Patrick has over ten years of experience in the resource and construction sectors, specialising in issue management, social performance, sustainability and communications.
Michelle Nelson
Management Committee
Desley O'Grady
Management Committee
Councillor Desley O'Grady has lived in the Gladstone Region for over 27 years. Cr O'Grady has worked, run successful businesses and been heavily involved in the communities of Seventeen Seventy, Calliope and Gladstone. Her grandparents Bill and Mable Spencer had businesses in the Boyne Valley. Her family history in the Gladstone Region goes back five generations. Cr O'Grady has a passion to assist community organisations' projects and is a financial member of many community organisations. Cr O'Grady is proud to say she was part of the Calliope Rodeo Association team that raised $80,000 for the Boyne Valley community through the 2013 Bulls and Bands Flood Appeal. She has been a regular attendee of Gladstone Regional Council and Chamber of Commerce meetings and CWA events. She was also a committee member for the Gladstone Region 20 year Vision panel. Cr O'Grady loves that we have such a versatile region, from the hinterland of the Boyne Valley to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, as a solid foundation to build on for the future. Her family has significant roots in the region and she is proud to participate in the growth of this glorious destination. Cr O'Grady looks forward to contributing to the strategic direction of Council and working as a team member with energy and enthusiasm, as well as being a strong and passionate voice for the community.
Owen Nevin
Management Committee
Owen Nevin is Associate Vice-Chancellor, Gladstone Region at CQUniversity and leads the Conservation Biology Research Cluster in the School of Medical and Applied Sciences. Owen has extensive experience in leading and managing interdisciplinary research teams and is an internationally respected conservation biologist specialising in population and behavioural ecology. Much of his research work has been focused around advancing the conservation of threatened species and their habitats through developing better management and understanding of behaviour, ecotourism and the impacts of resource exploitation.
Professor Nevin has served on both the European and Global Boards of the Society for Conservation Biology as well as scientific advisory positions for a wide range of institutions, organisations and foundations including the Centre for Alpine Ecology (Trento, Italy), Ministry of Defence (UK) and the Spirit Bear Research Foundation (British Columbia, Canada). Owen has been Associate Editor of Ursus (the Journal of the International Association for Bear Research and Management) since 2008 and is currently Chair of the Port Curtis Integrated Monitoring Program (PCIMP). He also serves on the Council of the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering.
Gerry Graham
Management Committee
Gerry Graham is the GREAN (Gladstone Region Environmental Advisory Network) community representative. Gerry has a background in Chemical Engineering and 40 years of experience in mineral processing and other industries. Having lived in Gladstone for more than 30 years and now retired, Gerry retains a strong interest in all aspects of the environment.
Rachel D'Arcy
Management Committee
Rachel is Manager of the Reef Innovation and Partnerships Team, within the Office of the Great Barrier Reef, Qld Department of Environment and Science. Rachel represents the Queensland Government on the GHHP Management Committee. Rachel has over 20 years’ experience in program management and policy development in the environmental field with state government.
Rachel is responsible for coordinating the establishment and implementation of regional report card partnerships, including the GHHP, the Mackay Whitsunday Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership, the Dry Topics Partnership for Healthy Waters, and the Wet Tropics Healthy Waterways Partnership. Through this role, Rachel helps to ensure that a consistent and collaborative approach is in place to assess the health of the regional waterways and identify management priorities.
Elyse Riethmuller
Management Committee
Elyse Riethmuller is the Chief Operating Officer at Fitzroy Basin Association who host Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership. Elyse is a highly competent and confident leader with over 20 years of technical experience in the natural resource and agricultural industries.