Our Team

Staff

Ms Noeline Gross: General Manager

Noeline Gross is the General Manager for the Northern Gulf Resource Management Group. She has been based in Georgetown since January 2001. The role of the General Manager is to basically empower community and industry to sustainably manage natural resources for future economic, social and environmental health.

Noeline is the mother of three children and owns a small horse stud. Her previous employment has included pathology, veterinary, zoo keeping and environmental tourism. She has a Science degree and is a councillor with the Etheridge Shire.

Noeline's goal in her work life is to see confident healthy communities that actively participate in setting future directions. Noeline's goals in her personal life are to fly light aircraft and foster disadvantaged youth.

Tim Hoogwerf: Operations Manager

Tim commenced working with us in April 2007 and is based in Mareeba.

As Operations Manager he is responsible for ensuring the success of all projects in the region and providing recommendations of new opportunities to the General Manager and Board.

Tim is happily married with two children. He has travelled widely and has an honours degree in science.

Sarah Connor: Planning and Partnerships Manager

Sarah has been involved with the NGRMG in several roles since it’s inception and is currently the Planning and Partnerships Manager. Sarah’s role is to continue to facilitate, foster and develop partnerships with community, industry and Government to support the NGRMG and the implementation of the Regional NRM Plan.

Sarah grew up on a horticultural property in Northern NSW and is married with three children. After obtaining her Environmental Science degree she has worked around Australia including the remote Kimberley region of WA and loves rural and remote communities.

Her other passions are fishing, camping, playing and watching a variety of sports and spending time with her kids.

Mr Michael Digby: Regional Mapping Services Coordinator

Michael Digby is the Regional Mapping Services Coordinator for the Northern Gulf Resource Management Group. He has been in this role, based in Georgetown, since April 2004.

Michael is a trade qualified motor mechanic and returned to university as a mature age student and graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Coastal Management. He is a foundation member of the Spatial Science Institute of Australia.

He has an extensive background in community, industry and Government liaison in spatial information systems. The role of his position is to research, develop and apply computer based Geographical Information Systems and GPS methods to natural resource and infrastructure mapping to support property and asset management. He is also working closely with the Northern Gulf Indigenous Savannah Group by providing technical support to the indigenous heritage mapping projects.

Additionally he provides advice and training in the development, implementation and operation of GPS/GIS hardware and software.

Michael enjoys the great outdoors, photography, fishing, shooting and flying.

Trevor Parker: Tablelands Mapping Coordinator

Trevor is the Tablelands Mapping Coordinator for the Northern Gulf Resource Management Group. Trevor is based in our Mareeba office and has lived on the Atherton Tablelands for 10 years. He started with us in February 2008. Trevor is coordinating mapping services for property planning on intensive farming properties within the Mareeba-Dimbulah Water Supply Area. Trevor has expertise in GPS and Geographical Information Systems gained through over 10 years experience in the Spatial Science discipline working for State and Federal governments. Trevor recently moved back to the Tablelands after a 2 year working stint in Western Australia where he worked on various projects from precision agriculture on wheat properties to biodiversity benefits of revegetation.

Trevor has a range of interests including horticulture, sustainability, botany, health and fitness and renewable energy. Trevor owns a small property at Wondecla. Outside of work he can be found riding his mountain bike, camping, working on his property, enjoying a beer on the veranda or working out at the gym.

Debbie Hansen: Grazing Lands Officer

Debbie is passionate about grazing land management and natural resource management. She is married with three children, two having left home while the youngest is still at boarding school. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science and for a long time was employed as an Environmental Manager in the mining industry.

Her philosophy is that the people who know the land are the best ones to make the decisions relating to its long term management. She also believe that paying attention to nature and changing conditions is the best management technique to ensure healthy animals and healthy pastures. She sees her role as a provider of assistance to graziers facilitating access to appropriate resources and tools which will assist in allowing them to get on with the job of running their properties.

Jimmy Richards (JR): Wild River Ranger Coordinator

JR is the Wild River Ranger Coordinator for the new team in the eastern Staaten River catchment. He was born and raised in Cairns and Kuranda where he spent the majority of his childhood.

Jimmy has had many jobs over the years and is finally fulfilling his dream of working with his traditional land and teaching others about the beauty of Australia.

Jimmy is very passionate about bull riding and though he can’t physically participate anymore you can always find him watching keenly from the sidelines. He is looking forward to the opportunities and challenges this job will present.

Allan Smith - Projects Officer

Allan joined NGRMG in mid 2008. His role as Projects Manager is to administer and manage contracts and projects. He was the Rural Land Officer with Etheridge Shire Council from 1999 to 2007.

As well as his role with NGRMG Allan continues his relationship with the ‘coal face’ as a consultant/contractor to Etheridge Shire Council. He also sits as a member of the National Rubber Vine Management Group Allan has lived in Georgetown since 1999 with his wife, small horses and even smaller dog.

Ian Beeton – Office Manager

Ian has worked for the NGRMG since October 2005. Past experience has enabled him to assist in the communications area and the production of videos for performance reporting.

Kristy-Leigh Bethel - Accounts Officer

Kristy started with the Northern Gulf group in November 2006 as the Administration Officer and has since been promoted to Accounts Officer responsible for processing all accounts and payroll. She is constantly updating her skills through training courses relevant to her job.

Kristy is also a proud homeowner and has settled down in Georgetown with her husband. Her hobbies include mustering on the weekends, gardening, fishing, pig catching and doing up her house.

Norelle Ryan – Assistant Accounts Officer

Norelle is the Assistant Accounts and Executive Officer for the Northern Gulf Resource Management Group. She commenced in this role in January 2009, based in Georgetown.

Norelle will be assisting Kristy with processing of accounts and payroll and also assisting the Executive by organising meetings, disseminating information, travel arrangements etc.

Norelle is a Georgetown/Gulf Country local who has previously worked for the Etheridge Shire Council and Department of Mines and Energy. Married with 2 grownup kids and 2 grand kids she can now spend more time engaging with the local community and help organising local events.

Jennay Delacour: Assistant Admin/Biodiversity Database Entry Officer

Jennay Delacour (pictured with niece Leah) is the Assistant Admin/Biodiversity Database Entry Officer for the Northern Gulf Resource Management Group. Jennay graduated from All Souls Saint Gabriel’s School in November of 2009; she began work at the NGRMG two weeks later. She has lived in the Georgetown shire her entire life on Eveleigh Station where she helps with all of the station work required.

Jennay is the youngest of five children with interests that include debating, horse riding, Brahman cattle studs, being with her family and the new found freedom that just-out-of-school offers (parties!).

Jennay is looking forward to the opportunities to be had from working with the NGRMG.

Val Speedie: Editor - Gulf Croaker Newsletter

Born Melbourne - migrated to various places in Northern NSW, SE Qld, attended Clayfield College for a while, stayed in Bonny Hills near Port Macquarie NSW for 5 years, meandered around Sydney then off to Perth for 10 years - married had 2 offspring and attended Murdoch University where they granted me a BSc to get rid of me.

We came to Innot Hot Springs in 1981 and earned a degree in manual labour harvesting lawyer vine from the rainforest, managing an orchard, share farming strawberries (Oh my aching back). In 1988 I had a ball in Mission Beach as assistant manager of a 30 acre environmental Park "Dundee Park - We cage the people not the animals" we had the whole range of Australian fauna including 200 salt water crocs. This was our downfall as a major flood in Dec. 1990 allowed the salties to float over the 3m fence and go walk-a-bout; much to the consternation of the local residents. Funny that!! The Park closed and I moved camp to Undara Lava Tubes which was just opening up to the public in a big way. I was head guide/biologist there for 11 years becoming a savannah guide in the process.(Great organisation by the way) I have now semi-retired and beside co-writing and editing the Gulf Croaker take on any other project offered that looks interesting. Retirement is not stopping work - it is freedom to do the work that you enjoy most.

The Northern Gulf Indigenous Savannah Group

The Northern Gulf Indigenous Savannah Group (NGISG) is a vital partner and consists of members from the Traditional Tribes or language groups of Tagalaka, Kurtijar, Barbarrum, Euwamian, Wakamin and Djungan. The NGISG has developed a strong and important working relationship with the Northern Gulf Resource Management Group, which is required for ‘caring for country’.

Ron Archer: Coordinator

Ron is the coordinator of the Northern Gulf Indigenous Savannah Group (NGISG) and is also a Senior Lecturer in Cultural Awareness Relationship/Partnership Development and the Chairman of Ngudda-bul-gan Tribal Aboriginal Corporation.

Married with 3 children, Jun-ju-lud as he is known in his native Djungan language was a keen rodeo participant but is now attached to the sidelines. Fishing, camping and horse riding are still passions.

In 2005 the NGISG was winner of the Alcan Landcare Indigenous Community Award – Queensland Landcare Awards.

‘Connection to Country’ is everyone’s business. ‘Caring for Country’ is the duty of the chosen.

Ricky Archer: Indigenous Mapping Officer

Ricky is the son of Ron and joined the NGISG as the Indigenous Mapping Officer in November 2005.

He aims to work collectively with land owners and traditional owners to record and archive the mapping of Cultural Sites to better manage and maintain these sites of significance. He is achieving this through use of GPS/GIS techniques and hopes to be able to pass these techniques on to other indigenous communities in the Northern Gulf region.

Interest include Rugby League, fishing - particularly of the barbed variety - camping, and he strums a mean guitar.

Vickie Mylrea: Admin/Accounts Officer

Vickie’s responsibilities range well beyond the administration of the Northern Gulf Indigenous Savannah Group. She writes grant applications, assists in reporting, does the accounts and tracks projects and is the first point of call for this busy office.

She is married with two boys, Oliver and Thomas. The family farm near Dimbulah grows small crops such as capsicums and lychee fruit trees. This ensures that she has virtually two full time jobs that together keeps life real.

Carpentaria Ghost Nets Program Team

Riki Gunn: Project Coordinator

Riki’s current role is coordinating the Carpentaria Ghost Nets Program which involves reducing the impact of Ghost Nets (feral foreign fishing nets) on the marine life of the Gulf of Carpentaria. To achieve this Riki coordinates indigenous involvements and the formation of partnerships between community, non-government organisations and all levels of Government.

Riki was born in Adelaide and graduated from Flinders University with a degree in Theatre but followed her yearnings for a coastal life in Northern Australia. After arriving in Darwin and gaining a position as a cook on a prawn trawler she moved up the ranks to eventually captain her own trawler and eventually settled in Karumba. She has also expanded into the tourism industry, successfully managing her own motel (Matilda’s End - Holidays Units, Karumba). She lives with her partner of 28 years, Neil who was on of the pioneers of the Barramundi Discovery Centre in Karumba, a not for profit organisation breeding Barramundi to restock local waterways.

Her hobbies (when she’s got time) include gardening, lead-lighting and reading.

Lisa Hamblin: Project Officer

“Originally from England, Lisa has been in Australia for nearly 6 years. She started with the Northern Gulf Resource Management Group in May 2006 and became a project officer for the Carpentaria Ghost Nets Programme in September 2006. She works with all the groups involved in the programme helping them to implement their work plans.

Working from the JCU office in Cairns Lisa is often seen as a green and white flash streaking through the city on her bright green 600cc Kawasaki ZX6R motor bike wearing white leathers.”

Executive

Chair of Directors - John Bethel

John was a foundation member of the NGRMG and has served as chairman since its inception, being re-elected in November 2007. He is the owner of Huonfels Station and at the forefront of technology leading the Geographical Information Systems in assisting property management.

He began a strong involvement with the Landcare movement in 1990 and has served in many capacities including Chairman of the Etheridge Landcare Group Inc, and the ‘Gulf and Grazing’ representative on the Northern Queensland Regional Assessment Panel, and was elected onto the Queensland Landcare Council. John also served 3 years on the inaugural board of the Queensland Beef Industry Institute and has also participated in numerous forums on production and research issues relating to the beef industry.

Deputy Chair - John Wason

John has been Deputy Chairman since 2003 and was re-elected at the Mt. Surprise AGM in 2007. He is married with a grown-up family and lives in Mutchilba. He is Chairperson of the Barbarrum Aboriginal Corporation and is involved with Traditional Owner Groups in the region supporting on-ground work.

John worked for the Department of Natural Resources for over 26 years selling water to property owners and consequently has a lot of on-ground connections with stakeholders in the region.

He regularly represents the NGRMG at national and state meetings and conferences.

Director of the Local Government sector – Mrs Corrie Pickering

Mayor of the Croydon Shire.

Corrie has lived in the Croydon Shire for the past 40 years mostly on a grazing property raising her 4 children. She also ran the local butchery business for 20 years.
She has had 15 years experience in Local Government, 3 as Councillor and 12 as the Mayor.

Corrie has been a member since the inception of the NGRMG Ltd. She was appointed the Local Government representative in 2005 and is a member of the “Finance and Audit” committee.

Director of Communities sector - Mr Ian Adcock

Ian Adcock is the Communities Director elected to the position April 2006. Ian was previously Director for Local Government until his retirement. A member from the inception of the Group, he has provided input from the first Steering Committee meeting. Ian is Secretary of the Mitchell River Watershed Management Group and a Director on the Queensland Water and Land Carers Board, representing Cape York.

Director of the Industry sector and Secretary - Mr Joe Lockyer

Joe is a prominent tourism business manager and proud father of 2 children. In partnership with his wife he designed, created and built the Bedrock Village Caravan Park and Bedrock Village Tours in Mt. Surprise. He is a Savannah Guide with an enormous knowledge of the region and spent 5 years at Undara Lodge as tour guide and maintenance manager. Prior to that he was a station mechanic and property manager.

Joe’s enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, the region make him an invaluable member of the NGRMG team.

Director of Conservation sector – Steve Ryan

Steve is a new arrival to the Far North. Coming from Sydney, with several stints in Brisbane, he had an ongoing interest and involvement in Northern Australian issues through his work with The Wilderness Society. Currently employed as Campaigner with the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre and enjoying getting to know the Gulf country and its people.

A degree in Biotechnology and a love of travel, not married (but being worked on) and an imminent father, he likes getting out for hiking and fishing.

Director of Indigenous sector – Mr. John Clark

John is the most recent director to join the Executive team. In his younger years he was a black tracker in Normanton and Croydon before gaining associate diplomas in land management, anthropology and archaeology, and politics and change.

He spent 7 years as a senior ranger in Kowanyama, 4 years with the North Queensland Land Council on Native Title, and 2 years as a project officer negotiating cultural heritage interests with mining companies.

He is a defacto with 6 girls and 1 boy and is associated with the Ewamian people through his mother and the Koko Berra people through his father.