Australia21 Board Members

Emeritus Prof Bob Douglas AO (Chair)

Bob is a medical epidemiologist, and was formerly the Director of the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at The Australian National University.

 

Mr. Paul Barratt AO

Paul has an honours degree in physics and an arts degree [South Asian Civilization and Economics]. He is a former Secretary of the Federal Departments of Primary Industries and Energy and Defence, and a former Executive Director of the Business Council of Australia.

 

Dr. Jane Dixon

Jane is a public health social scientist at the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at the Australian National University. Her co-edited book The Seven Deadly Sins of Obesity: How the modern world is making us fat has just been published by UNSW Press. She has helped to establish several other major innovative networks and organisations including the Institute for Community Resource Development, the Health Inequalities Research Collaboration and the International Society for Equity in Health. She is a consultant to the World Health Organisation.

 

Mr. Richard Eckersley

Richard Eckersley's research explores progress and wellbeing. He has held senior positions with CSIRO, the Commission for the Future and the Australian Government. He has a background in science communication, policy and issue analysis, and futures studies.

 

Mr. Geoff Gorrie

Geoff retired as Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry two years ago. He is the Chair of the National Land and Water Resources Audit Advisory Council, Safe Food Queensland and Australian Forestry Standard Ltd and a Director of the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation. Geoff has a long history in agricultural and trade policy, food industry policies, natural resource management and sustainability issues. Geoff graduated B.Sc., Dip.Ed. from the University of New England and completed a B.Ec. and a B.A. at the Australian National University.

 

Ms. Deb Lavis

Deb is owner and managing director of Eco Tile Factory and Ginger Gecko Productions, a film production company. Her community activities have included Women Chiefs of Enterprises International, Adelaide City Council Central Market Roundtable and inaugural President of Grote Street Business Association and Small Business Advisory Council. She is creator of ECOtvc competition to make television messages for environmental sustainability.

 

Assoc. Prof. Anita Lee Hong

Anita is Head of the Centre for Aboriginal Studies, Curtin University of Technology in Western Australia. She is a descendant of the Badjala and Darraba language groups from Queensland. She has a Masters of Human Rights Education and a Bachelor of Applied Science Indigenous Community Management and Development from Curtin University.

 

Mr. Patrick O'Leary

Patrick has had a career spanning over 35 years in the global financial markets, first as a research analyst, economist and stockbroker and later as the investment strategist for a major investment manager. Educated in Egypt, Britain and Australia, he holds an honours Arts degree in philosophy and economics and a Science Masters degree in zoology. He has travelled extensively on business in Europe, Asia and America while being based in London and Melbourne.

 

Mr. Nick Stump

Nick's career in the resources industry spans 40 years. His interests are in sustainable development and technical innovation. He is Chairman of the Sustainable Minerals Institute and GroundProbe Pty Ltd and a Director of John Holland Group Pty Ltd and Ludowici Ltd. He is also a member of The University of Queensland Senate. He was formally Chief Executive of MIM Holdings Ltd and Comalco Ltd.

 

Mr. Jim Varghese

Jim is the Director-General of the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. He has extensive experience in senior management, policy and program delivery, and is a published author on public service delivery. He holds four degrees including a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), a Bachelor of Divinity, a Diploma in Education and a Master of Business Administration.

 

Dr. Brian Walker

Brian is a Research Scientist with the CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems. He is the Board Chair of the Global Resilience Alliance. In 2003 he was awarded the Australian Centenary Medal for service to Australian Society in Ecology. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. He was formerly Chief of CSIRO Wildlife Ecology.

 

Mr. Mike Waller

Mike is a director of Heuris Partners, a consulting company specialising in strategy development. Prior to establishing Heuris, he spent nearly six years with BHP Ltd, as Chief Economist & head of environment and community relations policy. Before that, Mike held senior positions in the UK Treasury and Australian public service. He holds an honours degree in economics and has undertaken executive training at the London Business School.

 

Mr. Michael Ward

Michael was formerly Managing Director of Ecos Corporation, a sustainability consultancy. Prior to joining Ecos, Michael was Vice-President of Corporate Communications for UUNet Australia (OzEmail). He has been Executive Director of the Australian Republican Movement and managed the communication of public health and education campaigns for the New South Wales Government Health Department.

 

Mr. Ian Dunlop

Ian has wide experience in the international energy industry, working for many years in oil, gas and coal exploration and production. He has a particular interest in the interaction of corporate governance, corporate responsibility and sustainability. An engineer from the University of Cambridge, he advises on governance and sustainability.

Professor Helen Garnett

Professor Helen Garnett is the recently retired Vice-Chancellor of the Charles Darwin University. Before taking up this role, she was the Executive Director of the Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation (ANSTO). As an Australian representative to the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency from 1994 to 2003, she played a significant role in numerous international initiatives. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has held directorships in a number of organisations.

Dr. Lynne Reeder Ph.D

Lynne is the Executive Director of Australia21. She has extensive experience in relationship management and policy development. She has worked at universities in Canberra and Melbourne in both academic and administrative roles. She has previously worked on a number of major research projects, including with the Committee for Economic Development of Australia on its project 'A Long Term Economic Strategy for Australia'.