Board Profile

Helen Martin has extensive experience in strategic planning for rural and regional areas, with a particular focus on coastal planning and integration of planning for private and public land. She runs a small consultancy based in East Gippsland. In addition, Helen is a sessional member of Planning Panels Victoria, a member of the Ministerial Reference Council on Climate Change Adaptation and an alternate member of the Heritage Council of Victoria. Helen has held senior positions in local government and has also worked for State and Commonwealth agencies, as well as in the private sector.

Mr Maud is a former local government councillor and has recently been appointed to the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority. As a member and past-president of the South Gippsland Conservation Society, Mr Maud has strongly supported improved planning and sustainable management of the coastline. He is a past member of the Central Coastal Board.

Board Profile

Chris Rose has a career spanning 25 years managing some of Australia's best examples of coastal and alpine areas. Beginning his career in fire management with the Tasmanian National Parks Service, Chris quickly moved into general park management with several years as District Manager for Tasmania's West Coast District. Chris then moved into the Regional Manager role followed by several years as Director Operations (Statewide). In 1996 Chris accepted a role as Chief Ranger Alpine with Parks Victoria and succeeded in revitalising many of the Alpine NP and Mount Buffalo NP tourism facilities. Since 2005 Chris has been Regional Manager East and has overseen the response and recovery to the 2006 fires and the 2007 Gippsland floods. Chris's region includes the Gippsland coast from Mallacoota to Kilkunda.

Kate currently holds the position of Director Planning and Community with East Gippsland Shire.  With qualifications in Planning, Rural Resource Management, Business Management and Public Policy and Governance, Kate has 20 years experience in Local Government and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  In her current role, Kate has responsibility for the delivery a broad range of Council functions including Development Approvals, Strategic Land Use, Recreation and Project Planning, Environmental Sustainability and Community Engagement and Strengthening.  Kate has practical experience and knowledge about coastal planning, policy development and working with communities as part of this process.

Peter Johnstone is owner-operator of an Eco-Tourism Charter Boat based at Lakes Entrance, member of Eco-Tourism Australia and a Licensed Tour Operator.  Previous to setting up this business, Peter has 20 years experience as a National Park Ranger managing several Victorian coastal and marine protected areas with extensive involvement in planning and visitor management. Peter originally trained as a cartographer before moving to heritage management then an educational role at Museum of Victoria.  Over recent years, Peter completed specialist training in marine based Tourism.  As a resident of Lakes Entrance, Peter is actively involved in the Friends of Gippsland Lakes, Gippsland Lakes Charter Boat Association and member of Lakes Entrance Business and Tourism Board.

Shayne Haywood has been professionally involved in Natural Resource Management for twenty years. He has had extensive experience in the strategic planning and management of natural resource programs in some of Australia’s most pristine environments in Tasmania, Far North Queensland, Cape York Peninsula and Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. Shayne has extensive experience in the protection and enhancement of coastal areas from both an ecological and an engineering perspective. Shayne has lived and worked with indigenous communities in Northern Australia and assisted in supporting these communities with natural resource management initiatives on home lands. He has worked for Local, State and Federal government agencies along with the private mining and agricultural sector. Shayne is currently employed with the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and his role involves managing the various aspects of terrestrial resource management within the region.

Ms. Alecia Bassett is a researcher in the field of natural resource management specifically concerning fish stocks, fishers and fisheries management. Alecia has tertiary education in marine biology and Antarctic science and is a Director of a private company providing innovative environmental solutions to the civil construction industry. Alecia is raising here young family in East Gippsland and is passionate about the health of the coastal and marine environment. Alecia is currently on contract with the East Gippsland Shire Council as the Sustainability Officer.

Ms Helen Bull: is a Certified Environmental Practitioner, with extensive experience in land and Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sustainability. Ms Bull has worked for the Department of Sustainability and Environment and predecessors, Parks Victoria, Holmesglen Institute of TAFE and the Country Fire Authority,
as well as the National Trust in a voluntary capacity. Ms Bull is the Director of a Sustainability Consultancy and a member of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand and the Institute of Foresters of Australia.

Mr Des Sinnott Is a former Secondary teacher for over 30 years delivering Agriculture, Science, Maths and Outdoor and Environmental Education. He has also operated a beef cattle  farm in Boisdale since the 1970's He is Passionate about the outdoors especially bushwalking, Cross Country Skiing and Offshore fishing, and has spent a lot of time on the Gippsland coast and offshore waters both above and below the water, scuba diving. Mr Des Sinnett has been a member of WGCMA board since 2003 and President of Watermark, a Community based organization, which works to improve the environment of the Gippsland Lakes and their catchments. Watermark is presently involved as a partner in a major project to recover a large area of the Heart morass near Sale.

Dr. Peter Veenker holds qualifications in business and management and is a Fellow of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants. He is self employed as a Consultant and chair of the East Gippsland Catchment Authority. He has extensive Senior Management experience and is the former CEO of a large statutory authority in the ACT. Dr. Peter Veenker was also foundation director of the East Gippsland TAFE Institute and has been chairman of a number of boards both here in Australia and overseas, with extensive governance experience.

Mr Michael Timpano holds qualifications in environmental science, with extensive experience in natural resource management, stategic planning and community engagement. He is a year 2000 GCLP graduate and a previous East Gippsland CMA board member.
Michael (Mike) is the State-wide Program Leader - Climate Change & Sustainability with DSE.  A resident of Gippsland since 1986, currently residing in Warragul. Mike is a new board appointee.