We are small, but we are mighty…
Here at West Gippy CMA, we share a passion for natural resource management and work respectfully and supportively with each other, Traditional Owners, community and partners for a better environment.
Our team is dedicated, knowledgeable and experienced – you will see us out in the field, collaborating with partners, planting, recording, measuring and more. Credibility and innovation are key to our work culture.
Each of us plays our part in achieving our vision of a healthy catchment, valued and cared for by the community, that underpins the environmental, social, cultural and economic wealth of the region.
You can read more about our team and values in our Annual Report.
Our Board
Our Board of Directors consists of the following passionate people who care for catchments.
Belinda is an experienced Non Executive Director and AICD graduate with qualifications in marine and environmental science.
Based in Gippsland, she brings strong local insight informed by more that 25 years of experience in environmental planning, natural resource management and primary production. She has led high profile strategic projects in the water sector across both public and private organisations.
Her governance strengths span strategy, risk and culture, guided by a contemporary leadership approach. Belinda is passionate about healthy waterways and securing a sustainable water future that supports both ecological systems and community wellbeing.
Susan is a primary producer of beef cattle in Bunyip and has conservation qualifications and experience in beef and dairy farm renovation and management.
From 2015 to 2021 Susan was a Board Member of the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority and was deputy chair from 2018. She has extensive Landcare and community contacts in the Westernport catchment and is a life member and president of Bunyip Landcare Group.
Susan is a member of Landcare Victoria’s Members’ Council and of the Longwarry-Koo Wee Rup Flood Protection District Advisory Committee and a committee member of the Cardinia Environment Coalition.
Abbey grew up on both dairy and beef farms throughout Gippsland and developed a passion for sustainability and conservation so went on to complete her studies in Environmental Science and Environment and Society.
She now works in the Ecological consulting industry and is committed to using her professional skills and knowledge to achieve positive environmental outcomes in conjunction with supporting community needs.
Abbey has advocated for her local community through tackling wicked problems such as sand bank erosion and aquatic habitat loss. She plans on using her background and skill set to represent today’s youth and inspire a sustainable future.
Russell Dow, GunaiKurnai, lives in West Gippsland and has 20 years of experience across various industries.
He started his career at 19, spending nine years in facilities management, followed by four years in transport and logistics. For the past seven years, Russell has been with GLaWAC, where he focuses on joint management.
His diverse background equips Russell with a unique perspective and a strong skill set to drive effective operational strategies.
Russell is passionate about continuous improvement and delivering results that benefit our community and organisation.
Nicole Griffin has a background in the local water industry having worked at Gippsland Water for five years as the General Manager of Business Development and then the General Manager of Assets and Agriculture.
Nicole also spent over three years at Southern Rural Water as the General Manager for Assets and Infrastructure prior to her current role as Director for Agribusiness for the SunRice Group where she has been for nearly four years.
Nicole has a passion for agriculture and the environment and believes that a healthy environment results in increased profits for farmers and the best outcomes for the catchment and community.
She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Systems Agriculture) and a Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Director and has previously been a Director at Quantum Support Services for four years.
Richard is a civil and environmental engineer with more than 30 years’ experience across water management, environmental regulation, and infrastructure delivery, spanning Commonwealth and Territory governments, the private sector, and international organisations.
He held the Commonwealth statutory position of Supervising Scientist (2013-2015), leading a world-renowned research institute into the environmental impacts of mining, and served as Director of Science for the Northern Territory’s Hydraulic Fracturing Taskforce.
His technical expertise covers surface and groundwater hydrology, geotechnical engineering, and environmental management, complemented by deep experience in stakeholder engagement with Indigenous communities, government, industry, and the research sector.
Richard is Director of IndoPacific Consultancy Services, an Adjunct Research Associate at Charles Darwin University, and Deputy Chair of Engineers Australia’s Gippsland Regional Committee, a South Gippsland resident he lives at Fish Creek.
Shelley has over 25 years’ experience in the land and water management sector including roles in research, extension, and policy.
Shelley holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours) and is a Sessional member of Planning Panels Victoria.
Previously she was a Director of Coliban Water and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Nick holds an undergraduate degree in education, post graduate qualifications in Management and Occupational Health and Safety and is a graduate of the AICD.
Nick has worked in the public and private sectors and has extensive Board experience with for-profit, not-for-profit and member-based entities.
He is currently a member of the Gippsland Lakes Coordinating Committee and former member of the Gippsland Lakes Advisory Ministerial Advisory Committee.
Nick is an experienced Chief Executive Officer and, prior to retirement from full-time work, was CEO of Gippsland Ports from 2008 – 2018. Nick is currently principal of a boutique consultancy practice providing services to a range of public and private sector clients.
He has a strong belief that positive conservation outcomes can be achieved through, and in conjunction with, sustainable regional development.
Jenny and her husband run a 664 hectare (1,500 Dry Sheep Equivalent) beef and sheep property in South Gippsland.
She has worked with rural communities and industries to build the capacity of people, build resilience and enhance wellbeing and embrace innovation and best practice in agriculture and natural resource management.
Jenny is passionate about sustainable agriculture, rural communities, the environment and the red meat industry.
Jenny’s contribution to agriculture, the environment and community has been recognised with numerous awards over the years including the West Gippsland CMA Lyrebird award.
Richard is Director of IndoPacific Consultancy Services, an Adjunct Research Associate at Charles Darwin University, and Deputy Chair of Engineers Australia’s Gippsland Regional Committee, a South Gippsland resident he lives at Fish Creek.
Glenys is a proud Gunaikurnai Elder whose leadership and community influence spans more than 30 years. She has dedicated her life to volunteering, driving improvements in economic development, health, and the social and emotional wellbeing of her community.
She was part of the negotiation team that secured Federal Court recognition of Gunaikurnai connection to Country and Native Title.
She has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors training and serves as Chair of the Traditional Owner Land Management Board, guiding the protection and care of traditional lands and waterways.
Glenys is committed to truth telling, cultural preservation, and strengthening Gunaikurnai identity. Through her work with the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, she supports cultural knowledge, protects Country and waterways, and creates opportunities for Gippsland community members to engage in cultural practice and growth.
Governance
Good governance ensures accountability and transparency. We’re required to list certain items on our website to meet government legislation. This includes the Statement of Obligations and Protected Disclosure Procedure. All governance information is available here.
“Estuaries and coasts are dynamic systems, and this makes my job both challenging and super rewarding.”
Callum Edwards, Coastal Waterways Officer
“Ensuring Traditional Owners are leading our work together is the most important and rewarding part of my job. The cultural values of our catchment are amazing and it is a privilege to be able to work to recognise and protect them.”
Mandy Leggett, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Officer
“Weed control sites are usually very scenic areas and popular for recreation, so it is a great place to be able to work.”
Matt Bowler, Manager Project Delivery
