The WA Parks Foundation is fortunate to have a passionate group of Ambassadors.
Meet the people who love our WA parks, inspiring in others an appreciation of their uniqueness and value to the community.
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Karen Morrissey OAM
Karen is passionate about the Murchison Geo Region where she lives on Meeline Station and in Mount Magnet. Through her role as Shire Councillor and working in tourism, she has advocated for and supported the formation of a Murchison GeoRegion and Aspiring Geo Park. She initiated the annual Mount Magnet Astro Rocks Fest. In 2002, she was invested with an Order of Australia Medal for service to the community and recording the local history.
Why do I love WA Parks?
I love WA Parks which conserve nature and provide an irreplicable source of wonderment for all people - from a new baby in a back carrier to an elderly seasoned bush walker.
With built environments increasing and natural environments threatened by human development, WA Parks protect and give access to what is the most important asset people across the planet share in common - a need for interaction with the natural world for well being of body, mind, soul and spirit. Our fabulously diverse parks in Western Australia are underpinned by just as extraordinary geology and also preserve important cultural heritage of especially Aboriginal people.
WA Parks are significantly important to each of us and our world. How fortunate are we to have so much worth protecting for now and for generations of the future.
Gary Muir
Gary Muir is a sixth-generation member of the Muir family whose ancestors helped first settle WA’s south-west wilderness and the Eucla region. Gary became one of the first Conservation Officers with the then newly-formed Department of Conservation and Land Management and dedicated over a decade to the management of forests, parks and reserves in WA.
Gary then established WOW Wilderness as a leading ecotourism operation in the heart of the Walpole Wilderness, personally taking thousands of people each year through the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park to WA’s first wilderness zone in the Walpole Nornalup National Park. As with the generations of Muirs before him, he has a special appreciation and custodianship for the natural and cultural values of WA’s Parks.
Why do I love WA Parks?
My home has always been in the wild and it is humbling to recognise why I still have this home. It was through the stewardship of many unsung heroes in our past, so moved by WA’s uniqueness, beauty, biodiversity and long natural and cultural history, that they had a vision to influence others to conserve these wild places, that would ultimately lead to our WA Parks. WA’s Parks really are priceless, filled with so many jewels that lay hidden, safeguarded, yet endless ways to still explore and discover them again and again. To share these places, their stories with friends, to me, is the secret for enjoying life. This is why I love WA Parks. To see these areas really change people and build their own appreciation for our wild places. An influence that may lead to us recognising we may have still more unprotected wild places to be respected and reserved.
Philippa Nikulinsky AM
Philippa’s career focuses on a lifetime fascination with the flora and fauna of the arid lands of Western Australia. For nearly 50 years Philippa has travelled throughout this enormous State to record, draw and paint its phenomenal natural history. She has shared her gift for watercolour painting through her teaching, exhibitions, commissioned works and publications.
In 2016, Philippa was made a Member (AM) in the general division of the Order of Australia “for significant service to the visual arts as a botanical painter and illustrator, to professional associations, and as an author”. Her latest collection, Cape Arid, focused on one of Philippa’s favourite national parks. Philippa is currently working on a retrospective exhibition, to be held at the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery in 2019.
Why do I love WA Parks?
In wildness is the preservation of the world’ – Thoreau. It would be a privilege to be an ambassador for our National Parks. I would love my great grandchildren and all future generations to value and appreciate the wonders we have.
Jane O’Malley
With an inherent commitment to conservation, Jane has been instrumental in influencing development across the Peel Region so that it has been delivered with careful consideration of the fragile natural environment. Jane authored the City of Mandurah’s Bushland Protection Strategy.
In recent years, Jane has led the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council (PHCC), as their CEO, to become Australia’s 55th recognised Natural Resource Management Region. Jane is at the helm of a team of committed PHCC professionals hell-bent on protecting our environment by delivering landscape-scale restoration projects, advocating for policy changes and embedding greater appreciation of our natural environment as the basis of our regional and economic development.
Why do I love WA Parks?
WA Parks are magical! We are so lucky to have them and we should always encourage people to get out and explore them. Our parks are such an important part of the Western Australia lifestyle, and we need to embrace sharing them with our growing population. At the same time, we must also nurture and protect our WA Parks for ourselves, our children and our children’s children.
Robin Piesse
Principal, Projects and Programs
Robin Piesse is the Principal, Projects and Programs for the WA Parks Foundation. Robin has previously held senior leadership roles in government and the not-for-profit sector, most recently as the Managing Director of the Paraplegic Benefit Fund of Australia.
Why do I love WA Parks?
I spent my childhood roaming the bush and developed a deep love and respect for our landscape and species that live within it. The bush is a special place for me, bringing a sense of peace and connection to land. Our parks are critical to preserving the diversity and beauty of this natural environment for current and future generations to experience and share.
Howard Read
Howard has a wide experience in business, particularly in marketing and in charitable organisations in an honorary capacity. Of his 26 years as an executive in Marketforce Limited, he was Managing Director for 11 years and Chairman for 13 years.
As the pre-eminent Advertising and Marketing agency in Perth at the time, Howard had close contact with media organisations, and local and State Governments. He was directly involved with The Western Australian Tourism Commission advertising and marketing campaigns locally, nationally and internationally for over 15 years. The true appreciation of the State’s wonderful attractions and natural assets from the Kimberly to the karri forests and east of Kalgoorlie were promoted in Asia and many parts of the world.
He has been a director of a number of private and public companies, and charitable organisations. In one such involvement Howard served on the National Board of the Starlight Children’s Foundation and was Chair for Western Australia.
Why do I love WA Parks?
Western Australia is known for its pristine environment, spectacular natural attractions, and diversity of its flora and fauna. Less understood is the 101 national parks, 17 marine parks over 31 million hectares, which are a precious asset of all Western Australians and visitors to our State. The Parks need nurturing to protect the environment along with appropriate enhancement to keep them as a legacy for future generations and for enjoyment by local, national and international visitors. We also have a responsibility to connect these assets with the people to enjoy tranquillity and solitude for mental and physical wellbeing, education for the old and young, and interpretation of our national heritage. Every day I feel privileged to be able to interact with some part of our natural features of our State and to be an Ambassador for the WA Parks Foundation.
Tracey Roberts JP
Tracey Roberts is the Mayor of the City of Wanneroo and an active member of the community and maintains a strong focus on economic development, lifestyle impact and choices for the 200,000 residents of the growing City of Wanneroo.
Tracey has qualifications in Business Management and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In 2011 she was one of the first recipients of the Diploma of Local Government.
Why do I love WA Parks?
Yanchep National Park is a jewel in the Wanneroo crown; a truly beautiful place where visitors experience a strong sense of connection to nature, unique flora and wildlife. While listening to the engaging bird song and experiencing the unique aroma of the bush our parks evoke all the senses, connect us to Indigenous heritage and are integral to our feeling of community. They promote better public health, both physical and mental, and I strongly encourage their active and passive use by residents and visitors alike.
Verity Sebire
Verity is a Nyoongar woman with Western Aranda and Channel Islander heritage. She is passionate about parks, nature and wildlife – and the intrinsic connection they hold with Indigenous Traditional Landowners and Country.
She is active in the community and reconciliation spaces, as a Director of Reconciliation Western Australia and Kaitijin Mia Mia Aboriginal Foundation. Verity has held a strong affinity with nature and its preservation since childhood.
Why do I love WA Parks?
I grew up in Pemberton, in the lower south-west of WA on a property centred between the Gloucester, Warren and Beedelup National Parks, so my love for WA’s parks is grounded in my childhood. I didn’t realise how unique my childhood was and how extraordinary our WA parks were until I moved to the city in my late teens. I soon realised just how integral parks like those are to the wellbeing of all people. I believe that the conservation of our WA parks is vital to maintaining Aboriginal peoples’ connection to Country, and indispensable to ensuring that future generations are able to learn and practice culture. I believe that the celebration, promotion and protection of WA parks is fundamental to future generations of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians learning, growing and healing together.
Jim Sharp
Why do I love WA Parks?
Our Parks are a heritage for all to share and enjoy. They help define who we are as Western Australians. Rich visitor experiences in our Parks are essential to building a supportive, aware community which will ensure the value of our Parks are conserved for the future.
Tracy Shea
Tracy has held a range of policy, advisory and leadership roles across the State government in environment, conservation, recreation and parks-based tourism during a career spanning 38 years, with the last decade spent as an assistant director in the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and its predecessors.
Tracy is also a long-standing Executive member of the Forum Advocating Cultural and Eco-Tourism (FACET) and believes that sustainable nature-based tourism, and connecting people with parks, is vital to securing the community advocacy that parks need to survive and thrive.
She is also a strong advocate of Aboriginal cultural tourism in WA parks and sees it as a great way for locals and visitors alike to gain knowledge and understanding of our ancient and unique Aboriginal culture and heritage.
Why do I love WA Parks?
I’m an animal lover and WA’s vast network of parks - which covers an area larger than Victoria and Tasmania put together - safeguards the habitat of our extraordinary animals and plants as well as providing inspirational places for people to experience nature. Getting people connected with parks is the best way to ensure parks are understood, valued and protected into the future. Parks are also essential for our health and wellbeing. The job of protecting WA’s parks is too big for any one organisation and we need to bring people together and form partnerships and connections to protect these special places. I’m honoured to be a Park Ambassador and I look forward to helping in whatever way I can to bring people together to celebrate, promote, protect and enrich WA’s parks.
Richard Simpson
Director
Chair, Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority
Richard Simpson has a background in science but has worked in the finance and investment banking sectors for the past 30 years. He has advised corporates and governments around the world in a range of sectors from mining, oil and gas, infrastructure, tourism and agriculture.
Since returning to Perth from London, Sydney and Melbourne, Richard led the management buyout of Hartleys Limited in 2003 and was the inaugural Chairman and Managing Director of the wealth management and corporate advisory firm. He is currently a director of Hartleys Limited, has been Chairman of Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (covering Kings Park and Bold Park) since 2002 and a member of the State Emergency Management Committee since 2015.
Why do I love WA Parks?
Our parks provide me and many others a vital connection to the natural environment. They help teach us to value our unique biodiversity and beautiful landscapes, provide a sanctuary from an increasingly busy life and allow us to breathe fresh air and be inspired.
Eva Skira AM
Hon Treasurer
Non-Executive Director Macmahon and Chair of Trustees of St John of God Health Care
Eva Skira has an MBA with Distinction from IMD International (Geneva), and is a former career executive in banking and finance. Her Board roles include Chairman of the Water Corporation, Chairman of Trustees of St John of God Health Care and Director of RCR Tomlinson Ltd.
She has also served as Chairman of the Forest Products Commission and of Westscheme, and on a number of other Boards including Metrobus (formerly Transperth), MDA National Insurance, Doric Construction Group and as Deputy Chancellor of Murdoch University.
Why do I love WA Parks?
Having grown up in Tasmania where national parks were such an important part of our backyard, I am passionate about bringing people and parks together and making them part of our 'forever' sustainable State.