National Parks Association ACT Committee members

Rosemary joined NPA in 2020 after decades of working in environment and heritage management with the Australian and Tasmanian governments. A keen bushwalker and cross-country skier, Rosemary and her husband Mark have walked extensively in the Australian alps and completed the Australian Alps Walking Track in 2018. Rosemary’s vision for the NPA is for an organisation that attracts a diverse range of members across ages and backgrounds so it can continue to support the protection of parks and reserves in the ACT and NSW in the years ahead.

Jenny is NPA ACT Treasurer. One of the things she loves about the ACT is its identity as the bush capital and she is keen to support that through the NPA. She has recognised the power and importance of the environment from childhood. Environmental and sustainability matters have long been her area of work and interest, especially in water policy and programs, energy efficiency, climate change and agriculture.

Esther was president from 2017 to 2022. She has been on the Committee since 2013. A life-long conservationist, Esther was a member of the American environmental organisation, the Sierra Club, for nearly 30 years and joined NPA in 1998. Esther worked in the field of muscle biochemistry and is emeritus professor at the University of Minnesota and the ANU. She enjoys many activities in the natural world including bushwalking, camping and photography.

Mike has been a member of NPA ACT for about 35 years and regularly walks with the NPA. Mike is also a keen kayaker, well known for his long-distance journeys on the rivers of the Murray-Darling Basin. With his daughter Angela, he is the author of Murray-Darling Journeys, which explores the history of significant rowing and paddling journeys on the rivers of Australia's Murray-Darling Basin over the last 200 years.

A member of the Committee since 2022, Alison is a former career public servant, including 10 years as a senior executive in the federal Department of Environment. Since retiring from the public service, she has continued to work as a consultant on the environment and has been chair/president of the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust in Canberra since 2014. She was awarded an OAM in the June 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours for her environmental and community work.

Jennifer joined the Committee in 2022. Her career focus has been on conservation and public access – and her particular interest is in enhancing public awareness of national parks to ensure community support for ongoing protection. She has been involved in heritage conservation policy and practice for over 30 years in New Zealand, England, Italy and Australia and has worked in various natural and cultural heritage organisations, primarily in the public sector.

Rhys joined the committee in 2024 and deeply values the ACT’s spectacular biodiversity and access to nature, hiking, and mountain biking. He first joined NPA via the Rosenberg’s Goanna project. Rhys is completing a Master of Public Administration at the ANU, with previous studies at the University of Canberra, CIT, and overseas. Since 2017 Rhys has worked at the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment, and Water.

Maisie grew up in north-eastern Victoria and moved to Canberra to study at the ANU, where she completed her Bachelor degree with Honours with the assistance of an NPA ACT Scholarship in Biodiversity Management in National Parks and Nature Reserves. She is currently undertaking her PhD at the ANU, looking at reintroduction and conservation of the Golden Sun Moth (Synemon plana). Maisie enjoys getting people excited about nature and science.

Sandy, with his wife Kerry, joined the NPA in 2014. He grew up in Canberra in a family who loved the bush. He has walked extensively in the Australian alps, Tasmania, New Zealand and Europe, and is committed to conserving Australia’s remaining wild places and stopping native forest logging. He taught science in ACT schools and colleges and later worked in public programs management in national cultural institutions. Now retired, Sandy’s other interests include music, opera, travel, art, food and wine.

Kelly is committed to environment conservation, protection, education and connection. She brings a background in project management and business analysis to her roles with NPA ACT as office administrator and program lead for the Bogs and Fens Education Project. She also delivers nature-based education programs for Wildbark for early childhood and primary school-aged children, and volunteers with ACT Wildlife caring for reptiles. Kelly is dedicated to lifelong learning about nature and supporting community education and involvement in enjoying and protecting the environment.

Therese became a member of the NPA after volunteering for the Rosenberg’s Goanna Project. She joined the committee in 2025 as Membership Officer and Assistant Treasurer and helps out with producing NPA’s quarterly Bulletin. Originally from Sydney, Therese has spent the past 25 years in Canberra, developing a real love and appreciation for its nature reserves and surrounds, most especially the view out to the Brindabellas.

Doug joined the commitee in 2025

Gillian has spent much of her life in the ACT and has a deep love for its bushland. She has also travelled, walked and camped throughout Australia. Membership of the committee is a chance to give back. Gillian offers solid administration and grant writing skills.

Gillian is interested in NPA’s work party program. She finds satisfaction in improving the quality of a given area by removing weeds and planting and maintaining plants.