Dr Rod Kennett has worked in marine and terrestrial science and management in tropical north Australia for over 25 years. He holds PhD in Biology, has written over 40 research articles, and has led numerous research and natural resource management programs in universities, non-government and government organisation, including as Natural and Cultural Resource Manager in Kakadu National Park. Much of his work has focussed on increasing community participation in research and management, particularly by Indigenous communities. Rod currently manages the north-Australia wide Saltwater and I-Tracker programs at the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA).

Derek has worked in the fields of protected area, wildlife, and natural resource management for 25 years. His management and research interests are diverse but include fire management, mangrove and other coastal ecosystem ecology, island management and coral reef ecology. He has worked in the public, private and NGO sectors and spends part of each year travelling through globally critical biodiversity hotspots and studying their management systems. Derek has a strong interest in developing and applying alternative models for conservation management interventions and in particular emergent opportunities in conservation entrepreneurship.

Formerly Vice-Chancellor University of New England (1994-1996), Professor Thom has held positions such as Foundation Professor of Geography, Royal Military College, Duntroon (University of New South Wales, 1977-1984); Professor of Geography University of Sydney (1985-1993); and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research, University of Sydney (1990-1993).

He holds the title of Emeritus Professor from University of Sydney. Professor Thom served as Chair of the Australian State of Environment Committee 1998-2002, and as Chair of the Coastal Council of New South Wales (1999-2004). He was Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Built Environment at the University of NSW.

He served as the Visiting Professor for Coastal Management and Planning at the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources in Sydney. He also formerly held the position of Visiting Professor in the NSW Department of Planning.

Professor Thom is a member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, President of the Australian Coastal Society and Deputy Chair of the Federal Government's Coasts and Climate Change Council.

In 2010 Professor Bruce Thom was awarded a member of the Order of Australia for his contribution to the ecological management of the coastal zone and as a contributor to public debate on natural resource policy.

Bruce heads up the Indigenous Policy Branch within the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. In this role Bruce oversees the coordination of Indigenous policy development within the department. Bruce also plays a key role in ensuring Indigenous engagement under the Caring for our Country initiative and manages the highly regarded Working on Country Indigenous ranger program.

Immediately prior to joining the department Bruce worked in the Australian Government's employment portfolio and was responsible for policy relating to job seeker participation. His interest in employment and social policy more broadly has continued in his current role, recognising Indigenous participation in land and sea management as an important vehicle toward sustainable livelihoods and communities. Bruce has worked in the Australian Government for nearly 20 years across a range of portfolios, including: employment, education, health and small business. He is a keen student of public administration and holds a Bachelor's degree in Management and a Masters in Public Administration.

Maree Prior's salty career has included art and SCUBA teaching and project management in both Coastal Natural Resource Management (NRM) and visual arts.

Maree taught art at Cape York Schools in the early 80's; dived throughout the Torres Strait and Rabaul PNG, and sailed the Qld coast before moving into Coastal Management with Cooloola Coastcare in the early 2000's.

She was a diver/artist on the 1986 Pandora expedition; the 1987, 1988 Sirius expeditions and designed the Norfolk Island Bi-centennial stamp edition.

Since completing postgraduate studies in Integrated Coastal Zone Management at USC, Maree now works for Noosa Integrated Catchment Assoc, Cooloola Coastcare Assoc and is a freelance artist with coastal issues informing her work.

Associate Professor Johanna Rosier is the Program Leader of the Regional and Urban Planning program at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Johanna has come back to Queensland after being at Massey University in New Zealand. Where she researched and taught in the areas of coastal planning and conservation planning.  One of the highlight of her NZ experience was the independent review of the first New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement in 2004.  Her current research aims to identify how alternative dispute resolution techniques are applied in coastal planning in both Queensland and New Zealand, and to improve best practice in both planning regimes. She is also continuing research focused on evaluation of the effectiveness of coastal plans in both Queensland and New Zealand.  Johanna lectures in the areas of planning theory, environmental and planning law and conservation policy.

Publications
Many of Associate Professor Johanna Rosier's publications are available from the COAST Research Database.

Phil Rist is a Traditional Owner from the Nywaigi people and has extensive experience in cultural and land and water management.

Phil is Chief Executive Officer and a founding member of the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation based in Cardwell.

He is a member of the Indigenous Reef Advisory Committee for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

Phil is a board member of the NQLC (Nth Qld Land Council).

He was also the first Indigenous Marine Park Inspector employed for seven years with the Qld National Parks and Wildlife Service.

He eventually became Ranger-in-Charge of the then Northern Section of Lumholtz National Park.

Later Phil was ironically instrumental in changing the name of Lumholtz National Park to the now known Girringun National Park

Melissa George is a member of the Indigenous Advisory Committee since 2002 and has been Chair since 2006. The Indigenous Advisory Committee was established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.  The role of the Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC) is to:

• advise the Minister for the Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities on:

• the operation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC Act), taking into account the significance of Indigenous people's knowledge of the management of land and the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; and
• Indigenous Protected Areas; and

• provide advice to the Department of Sustainability, Environment,
  Water, Populations and Communities (SEWPaC) on Indigenous
  issues as they relate to the role of the department.

Melissa’s  contribution to the Committee has been articulate, practical and well considered. She has demonstrated strong practical experience and understanding of Indigenous natural and cultural resource  management and a good understanding of the EPBC Act.

Melissa was also appointed as a member of the Great Barrier Management Park Authority Board on 29 August 2008 for a four-year term.

Melissa has a background in Archaeology and Protected Area Management.  Melissa has been actively involved in protecting and managing land and sea through community natural resource management projects and liaising with and advising the Queensland and Australian Government.  She has also been actively involved with cultural heritage surveys, property planning and on ground NRM activities including weed management and revegetation. 

Melissa has participated and presented at numerous natural resources, land and sea management forums, locally, nationally and internationally.

Queensland Coastal 2011 Conference

Conference theme: Ancient Knowledge Contemporary Innovation
Dates: 19-21 October 2011
Venue & City: Pullman Reef Hotel, Cairns

Hosted by

The Girringun Aboriginal Corporation
235 Victoria Street
Cardwell Queensland 4849
Phone: (07) 4066 8300 
Email: admin@girringun.com.au

Gold and Website Sponsor

Important dates

Abstract submissions open: May 2011

Early Bird registration opens: July 2011

Early Bird registration closes: 14 September 2011

Abstract submissions close: 30 June 2011

Authors informed of acceptance: August 2011

Early Bird registration closes: 31 August 2011

Conference Managers

arinex pty limited
ABN 28 000 386 676

arinex Pty Limited has been appointed as the official PCO (Professional Conference Organiser). arinex is the largest total service provider for conferences, events, business travel and exhibitions in Australia. They are the only Australian partner of INCON, an exclusive international network of the world's top conference organisers and event managers. They are ideally placed to combine international know how and local expertise to this Conference and look forward to working with the Organising Committee to produce a memorable conference.

Address for Communications

Postal Address:
Level 5, 79 Adelaide Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000

Program Enquiries
Ph:  +61 7 3226 2800

Registration Enquiries
Ph: +61 2 9265 0700        
Fax: +61 2 9267 5443
Email: qldcoastal2011@arinex.com.au