Our Team

Staff

Ms Noeline Ikin: Chief Executive Officer

Noeline Ikin is the Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Gulf Resource Management Group. She has been based in Georgetown since January 2001. The role of the CEO 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 main role is managing the development of the NGRMG's new Regional NRM Plan and she also maintains existing and fosters new partnerships to achieve the Plan's targets and priorities.

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.

Dale Harrison: Office Manager

Dale began work with the NGRMG in August 2010 and is based in Georgetown. Her previous job was Administration with the QLD Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.

As Office Manager for the NGRMG, Dale carries out office management duties for both the NGRMG and Grassroots Innovations Pty Ltd. This is Dales first job in natural Resource Management and is looking forward to gaining new knowledge and experiences.

Dale is a local girl who enjoys swimming, fishing and mustering.

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.

Kristjan Sorensen: Sustainable Industries Officer/Regional Landcare Facilitator

Kristjan is the Sustainable Industries Officer based in the Mareeba office. Kristjan is assisting land managers get the best, most sustainable productivity from their land. He believes that most properties have the nutrients and resources to become almost self sufficient. He also believes that the secret to a successful, long term farm is having healthy fertile soils that can maintain economic returns.
He is also involved in the compost tea trial held in Mareeba and is also a director in the compost facility at the Mareeba landfill site with Trust Nature FNQ. Building soil carbon and health is a passion.
Kristjan grew up in Cairns and spent his teenage years in Karumba. He has completed a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science at James Cook University in Cairns.
Other interests include bushwalking/trekking, travelling overseas, archery, riding his XR600 in rididulous places and the odd beer on a hot day.

Kathryn Boynton: Biodiversity Officer

Kathryn is based in Georgetown and has lived and worked all over Queensland from Normanton in the north to Nanango in the south, and a few places in between.

Kathryn studied a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) degree at James Cook University, Townsville and has worked as a ranger with Queensland Parks and Wildlife at Undara, Maleny, Townsville and Gladstone.

Her interests include travelling, photography, attempting to learn other languages and looking after her vegie garden.

Sarah Rizvi: Projects Coordinator

Sarah Joined the NGRMG early in 2012 as Projects Coordinator, after a career in Local Government. She works part-time from the Mareeba office, overseeing contracts, reporting and acquittals and seeking external project funding.

She lives in Koah with her husband and two children, and is keen on travelling, permaculture and enjoying the natural splendours of Far North Queensland.

Megan Loudon: Accounts Officer

Megan started with the Northern Gulf Group in December of 2009 as Accounts Assistant and has since moved on as Accounts Officer. She is responsible for all accounts and payroll with NGRMG. She is a local girl and enjoys fishing, pig catching, sessions at the pub and rodeos.

Megan is enjoying the opportunity to develop her accounting skills while working with NGRMG.

Erica Blumson: Communications Officer

Erica is now NGRMG's Communications Officer.

Erica has lived in different parts of Australia including the Atherton Tablelands and properties in Central Queensland and Western Australia, originally growing up on a farm near Dayboro in South East Queensland. Erica has an Associate Diploma in Applied Science and has worked in Forestry, Landcare and Rangelands and has also instructed in Conservation and Land Management.

Erica and her partner have two children. Her passions are the local environment, permaculture and gardening with kids. In her spare time she enjoys camping, fishing and travelling with the family.

Carly Starr: Biodiversity Project Manager

Carly is NGRMG's Biodiversity Project Officer and has worked as a field ecologist and project manager for conservation organisations and consultancy companies for the past 9 years across Asia and Australia, often living in rural communities for extended periods. Previous projects she has worked on involved research with reptiles, nocturnal primates, crocodiles, rodents, orang-utans, gibbons, sun bears and clouded leopards. She has a strong interest in traditional ecological knowledge and its inclusion in biodiversity research and monitoring. Carly has a PhD in ecology and a Bachelor degree in wildlife biology.

Her interests include spending time with her family, travelling and exploring the natural world.

Naomi Hobson: Grazing Lands Officer/Regional Landcare Facilitator

Naomi is NGRMG's Grazing Lands Officer and Regional Landcare Facilitator based in Georgetown. Originally from Gunnedah NSW, Naomi grew up on a mixed beef and cropping enteprise. Naomi followed her passion for agriculture and beef production through to University and completed an honours degree in animal science with a focus on cattle production, breeding and reproductive disease and meat science.

Naomi looks forward to working with graziers to identify challenges in the region so that our organisation can assist in developing strategic management responses to these issues as well as providing relevant sources of information to the garzing community.

Michael Anthony: Nature Refuge Officer

Michael is NGRMG's Nature Refuge Officer and is based in Georgetown. Michael's lifelong interest in reptiles and amphibians has taken him to biodiversity hotspots around the globe, but his particular sphere of interest is northern Australia's tropical savannah environment.

He has worked in a variety of industries including mining, landscaping and transport both in North Queensland and the Top End of NT.

Michael has had a strong involvement with community nature groups and is President of the Cape York Herpetological Society.

Niilo Gobius: Resource Evaluations Officer

Niilo is employed 3 days per week as the Resource Evaluations Officer and his role is to develop a regional accounting scheme to be able to monitor environmental trends in the regions land, water, coastal and marine environment, air and atmosphere, indigenous resource management and Northern Gulf community.
Niilo is a happily married father of three primary school aged kids and runs a few bullocks on the tablelands in his spare time.
He also works part time in Cape York running grazing land management workshops and mapping grazing properties. He has worked in agriculature all his life doing extension and research in animal nutrition, grazing management, feeding systems and improved pasture production.

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.

Jodi Archer: Admin/Accounts Officer

Jodi is currently the Indigenous Administration Officer for the Northern Gulf Indigenous Savannah Group (NGISG) located in Dimbulah, Jodi works in collaboration with other NGISG staff on all NGISG project funding agreements, and asists the Coordinator to seek alternative finding. Jodi is also currently training Jasmyn Bong who is a descendant of the Barbarrum Traditional Owner Group with a school based traineeship Certificate II in Business Administration. Jodi enjoys camping, shopping and spending quality time with her two children.

Lindsay Archer: Indigenous Mapping Officer

Ghost Nets Australia Programme Team

Riki Gunn: Project Coordinator

Riki’s current role is coordinating the Ghost Nets Australia 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 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.

Grace Heathcote: Project Officer

Grace is the Darwin-based Project Officer for Ghost Nets Australia and when not out bush can be found in the offices of the NRM Board NT. She is working to develop partnerships with groups in the NT and the Kimberley to help them manage ghost nets washing up on their coasts. Grace has a Bachelor of Arts/Science and a Masters degree in Natural Resource Management. Her interests include marine ecology, diving and swimming in the ocean, all of which are unfortunate hobbies in a place popular with crocodiles and stingers!

Grace and her husband are on a westward migration around Australia - having grown up in Tassie, lived in Northern Queensland for 2 ½ years and now based in the NT/Kimberleys they are seeing just how diverse, beautiful and BIG Australia is.

Jennifer Goldberg: Project Officer

Jen operates out of James Cook University in Cairns as project officer for GhostNets Australia. Her role spans the practical side of GNA’s work with Ranger Organisations in the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York. This includes helping to manage the derelict net issue; developing and strengthening partnerships; ground support with the off-shoot GhostNet gear workshops and programme; and assisting to progress GNA into the international arena.

A Bachelor of Science (Hons), a Graduate Diploma in Geographic Information Systems, and an adventurous streak have enabled Jen to enjoy a wide variety of work across Australia.

She has many diverse interests outside of work hours and pursues an ongoing love affair with the cello, the sea, birds, music and all things unusual.

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 Industry sector – Mr David Schubert

Director of Local Government sector - Mr Ian Tincknell

Director of the Community sector - Anna Burley

Anna joined the NGRMG as the Community Director late in 2011. You will often see Anna traversing the savannah region in her current role as a primary health care nurse, so her involvement in for caring for land and communities plays a significant role in her ability to care for people. Although it can be argued this has not always been the case as a previous career was working in financial markets

Originally from the mid north coast/hunter area of NSW, Anna has the priviledge of living and working in a number of remote areas until becoming based in Georgetown in 2006. In the rare periods of down time Anna enjoys photography, reading and many other arts/crafts pursuits.

Director of Conservation sector and secretary – Sarah Hoyal

Sarah Hoyal is currently the Coordinator of the Cairns and far North Environment Centre, the peak conservation group in the FNQ region. She has over 12 years experience working in the environment and community sector, which includes working for a Senator in Federal parliament, with Industry, government and Indigenous organisations as a consultant, and in community work both as a volunteer and paid employee. Sarah has travelled extensively and maintains a strong passion for environment and social justice issues.

Director of Indigenous Sector - Janet Busch