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.

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.

Although my traditional country is Wardandi Bubbulmun encompassing Busselton, Margaret River, Augusta, Pemberton, I was born and raised in the North West of Western Australia, only living in the South West from the age of twelve.

I followed the path of many young people and embarked on an adventure overseas in my early twenties, planning to stay only a year but returned after ten years.  My love of travel, culture, food and new experiences has not waned.

In the UK and in Perth, I worked in corporate positions in Department Store retailing, but a local elder persuaded me to change direction.

Now I share my culture with visitors from everywhere.  Maalinup Aboriginal Gallery is an Aboriginal family owned and operated enterprise in the Swan Valley offering Bushtucker, Authentic Aboriginal art and amazing hand painted giftware.  We’ve been there over 20 years.

Ainslie and David de Vos both have extensive experience in communications and media as well as community relations. Ainslie has been Manager External Affairs at Fremantle Ports since 1996. Before taking up this role she spent eight years as Public Affairs Manager at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

Earlier, she was a television journalist for the ABC in Perth and later Channel Nine in Perth and Sydney. Ainslie is also a member of the Strategic Priorities Panel for the WA Parks Foundation and of the Public Relations Institute of Australia. David has produced and directed many programs and documentaries in his 40 plus years with the ABC and appeared on many others.

Particular programs of note are Salvado’s Letters and The Day the Shark Came in.

Richard is a Nyoongar man, one of Australia’s leading Aboriginal performers, musicians and writers and has performed around the world. He has been a campaigner for social justice for Indigenous Australians from a young age. At 23 Dr Richard Walley OAM chaired the Aboriginal Advisory Board. He is Director of Aboriginal Productions and Promotions.

Mark became the Director General for the new Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions in July 2017. He now has combined CEO responsibilities for Perth Zoo, Rottnest Island, Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority and the Parks and Wildlife Service (formerly Department of Parks and Wildlife).

Mark was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority in November 2004. He joined the BGPA in October 1998 as Director, Living Collections with extensive experience in horticultural research, public and private sector management and business. Mark sits on a number of local, national and international boards and committees.

Melanie Wilshin is the General Manager of the WA Parks Foundation. Melanie’s previous leadership roles include Executive Management with Youth Focus, State Manager at Ticketek, Senior Manager at Mellen Events and her early career included management roles in Association Management and Conference industries in London and Vancouver.

Tim Winton is Australia’s most celebrated writer. His work has been translated into 28 languages. Long active in the environmental movement, he is the patron of the Australian Marine Conservation Society and the Trust for Australian Native Animals.

He played a prominent public role in advocating for the system of marine national parks the nation now enjoys.

Photo: Hank Kordas

Mike Wood is the Managing Director of Peregrine Travel Centre Perth and founding Chair of the Bibbulmun Track Foundation since 1996. Mike completed an end-to-end walk of the Bibbulmun Track in 2008 and has trekked extensively overseas, travelling to every continent.

Mike’s outdoor skills include bushwalking, both white water and sea kayaking, rock climbing and abseiling. Mike has led treks and expeditions for 36 years and feels it’s important to visit as many of the world’s long distance trails as possible to bring back knowledge to WA. Prior to joining Peregrine, Mike owned and operated the Mountain Designs adventure stores across the State.