Mark Duckworth is Executive Director, Citizenship and Resilience in the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC), in Victoria. He is responsible for a range of governance, policy, security, community engagement, multicultural and public administration issues. National positions he holds include:
- member of the National Counter-Terrorism Committee (NCTC) and chair of its Countering Violent Extremism and Legal Issues sub-committees;
- member of the National Emergency Management Committee (NEMC) and co-chaired the National Disaster Resilience Strategy Working Group that prepared the strategy endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments in February 2011.
He is also a member of Monash University’s Global Terrorism Research Centre Advisory Board. Before joining DPC, Mark worked at the Cabinet Office of New South Wales, the University of Sydney Law School and the Law Reform Commission of Victoria. In the 2007 Australia Day Honours he was awarded the Public Service Medal for his work in establishing the National Counter-Terrorism arrangements.
Murray was born on 10 June 1959 at Bankstown in Sydney. In 1980 he joined the New South Wales Fire Brigades as a recruit firefighter.
He served in a variety of roles within the NSW Fire Brigades including six years as an Assistant Commissioner, following experience in operations, training, communications centres and corporate strategy. His education qualifications include a Post Graduate Certificate in Applied Management and a Certificate in Strategic Management. Murray is also a graduate of the Institute of Fire Engineers.
He was deployed overseas in 2002 as part of an Australian contingent to assist the United States with one of the largest wildfires in that nation’s history.
His last appointment before becoming the Commissioner of the NSW State Emergency Service was as the Director Community Safety for the NSW Fire Brigades. Holding the rank of Assistant Commissioner, Murray was responsible for the capability and provision of all prevention services across the State. From 2003 to 2006 he was responsible for an operational command that covered two thirds of the State, incorporating all remote areas. He received the highest honour a firefighter in Australia can receive on Australia Day 2006 with the awarding of the Australian Fire Service Medal.
He assumed the appointment of then Director General, now Commissioner, of the New South Wales State Emergency Service on 4 November 2008. The SES State Headquarters is based in Wollongong. He is a member of the NSW State Emergency Management Committee, the NSW State Rescue Board, the Australian Council of State & territory Emergency Services and the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council.
He is married to Jo-Anne and they have three adult children, two sons and one daughter. They have been residents of the Macarthur area for 27 years and now reside in Glen Alpine.
His interests include aviation, and is a staff pilot with the Scouts Australia Air Activity Centre at Camden Airport, is a member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Campbelltown, a member of the Campbelltown – Koshigaya Sister City Association, and enjoys reading, information technology and camping.
Tim Costello has long been the voice of social conscience for many Australians, having led debates on issues such as gambling, urban poverty, homelessness, reconciliation and substance abuse.
Tim first studied law and education at Monash University, followed by theology at the International Baptist Seminary Rueschlikon in Switzerland, and a Master’s in Theology at the Melbourne College of Divinity. He has been a Baptist Minister in St Kilda, and in the city at Collins St Baptist Church. Tim continued to serving the local community by successfully running for Mayor of St Kilda in 1993, ending with the State Government’s disbanding of councils shortly afterwards. He founded Urban Seed, a not-for-profit Christian outreach service for the urban poor.
As CEO of World Vision Australia, Tim leads an organisation of about 560 staff, with an annual income of about $350 million, and 400,000 children overseas sponsored by Australians. Tim has witnessed the worst of humanitarian disasters and seen the most inspiring human responses to suffering.
In July 2004, Tim was named Victorian of the Year 2004. In June 2005, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), for “service to the community through contributions to social justice, health and welfare issues, international development assistance, and to the Baptist Church”.
Tim is currently Chairman of the National Australia Bank’s community advisory council, a member of the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation, and Chairman of the Community Council for Australia, a peak body for the Not For Profit sector.
Craig Lapsley is a dynamic leader in the Emergency Management industry. The majority of his 25 years in the industry has been as an employee of Country Fire Authority (CFA), prior to which he served as a volunteer firefighter. Craig finished his employment with CFA in August 2007 as Deputy Chief Officer.
In 1996 Craig was seconded to NSW Fire Brigades fulfilling the position of Manager State Operations for a two year period. Craig was also seconded to Victoria State Emergency Service in 2005 to transform SES from a Government Department to a Statutory Authority. He fulfilled the positions of Director and then Acting Chief Executive Officer of the newly formed Authority.
From late 2007 Craig was Director Emergency Management – Health and Human Services which had state responsibilities across the health and community services sector. Craig was appointed to his current role of Fire Services Commissioner for the Victorian Government in August 2010.
Department of Community Safety, QLD
view profile
Chris has designed and built service delivery systems across numerous industries and led portfolios of significant organizational change for enhanced business performance particularly within Government. A graduate of the Australian Defense Force Academy, Chris began his career in the Royal Australian Navy where, after a number of sea postings, he eventually served in Maritime Headquarters Australia as a Fleet Operations Officer.
After moving to Brisbane in 2005, Chris delivered business improvement outcomes across a number of Federal and State Government agencies including, Queensland Rail, Disability Services Queensland and Queensland Corrective Services.
Chris is currently a Senior Executive at the Department of Community Safety (Emergency Management Queensland) leading a major business improvement portfolio in frontline capability, including the All hazards Information Management Program.
David is the current Chief Executive of the SA Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SAFECOM). He is also Chair of the SAFECOM Board to which the State Emergency Service (SES), Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) and Country Fire Service (CFS) report.
The sector has 1,200 employees and has responsibility for around 20,000 volunteers.
The Chief Executive is:
- A South Australian representative on the National Emergency Management Committee (NEMC);
- Chair, Risk Assessment, Measurement and Mitigation Sub Committee of NEMC;
- Chairperson of the SA Water Safety Committee;
- Member of State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC);
- Chairperson State Mitigation Advisory Group
David previously held the dual positions of Chief Executive of SAFECOM and Chief Officer of the SES, following his appointment as Chief Officer of the SES in 2004.
Prior to these roles, David was a senior executive for the SA Ambulance Service (SAAS), involved in Regional Operations, Communications and other Corporate Services.
David commenced with SAAS in 1984 and spent 10 years as a frontline Ambulance Officer prior to being promoted through the operational ranks. David’s career with SAAS spanned 20 years.
Department for Water, SA
view profile
Ed Pikusa is the Manager Flood Hazard in the South Australian Department for Water. He has 15 years experience in water resources issues in South Australia.
In its role as Hazard Leader for flood in South Australia, the Department coordinates Government efforts in the assessment and mitigation of flood risk to South Australia.
These activities have involved assisting in the development and application of the National Emergency Risk Assessment Guidelines to flood risk in South Australia.
Other activities include assessing the implications of the Queensland and Victorian Flood Inquiries ion South Australia, reviewing the preparedness of flooding in the South Australian River Murray, and promoting community education and resilience to natural hazards, including flooding.
He represents the hazard leader on the SA State Mitigation Advisory Group, and South Australia on the National Flood Risk Advisory Group.
Ed has a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering and an MBA.
Margaret Abbey joined Murrindindi Shire Council as its CEO in June 2010 with 26 years of local government experience in both New South Wales and Victoria.
Murrindindi Shire Council was the local government area most greatly impacted upon by the February 2009 fires. The community and physical infrastructure rebuilding over the past 2 ½ years has been significant but the long term legacy facing local government is substantial and will require integrated and cross governmental support.
Paul Buckley has spent his entire working career in Local Government in the Latrobe Valley and is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Latrobe City Council.
Paul held senior management positions in Corporate Services and City Strategy with the City of Latrobe for ten years prior to his appointment as CEO in August 2004.
Paul holds a Graduate Diploma of Business Management from Monash University and has completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at Harvard University. He is also a graduate and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
He holds a number of positions on various community committees including the Gippsland Education Precinct Board, Regional Development Australia Gippsland Committee and is the Chair of the Latrobe Regional Airport Board.
He is a Member of Local Government Managers Australia and the International City and County Managers Association.
Paul is a proven leader, motivator and manager, and a well respected community leader and key influencer in the Gippsland Region.
Jane Sexton joined Geoscience Australia in 2005 to work collaboratively with Australian and State Government agencies to understand tsunami risk. Jane now leads the development of information and tools to define risk from a range of natural hazards. This development supports evidence-based decision making for emergency management. Prior to this, Jane had a number of roles with DSTO and applied research modelling positions.
Andrew Coghlan works to promote resilience and build community capacity, both in preparation for and response to disasters throughout Australia. He has played a pivotal role in coordinating Red Cross response to a number of major emergencies and disasters, including Cyclone Larry (2006) and the Black Saturday Victorian Bushfires (2009). Under Andrew’s leadership, a restructure of the emergency services team has elevated the organisation’s profile within the emergency services sector and established relationships with key agencies at all levels of Government. Prior to joining Red Cross, Andrew was the National Recovery Consultant with Emergency Management Australia, playing a key role in coordinating recovery assistance to Australians such as those impacted by the Boxing Day 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. Andrew is Vice-President of the International Research Committee on Disasters, a member of the Australian Journal of Emergency Management Editorial Board and represents Red Cross at key external forums and consultations.
Mara Bun is CEO of Green Cross Australia, a not-for-profit that empowers people to respond to environmental change. Mara has over 20 years of leadership experience in the community, research, investment banking and development sectors. She studied economics in the US and began her career as a Financial Analyst with Morgan Stanley, spending five years in their New York and San Francisco practices in the 1980s. In 1989 Mara joined a World Bank Nepali earthquake reconstruction project in Kathmandu, then moved to Australia embracing community leadership roles with Greenpeace Australia and CHOICE in the 1990s.
Mara returned to investment banking as Senior Internet Equities Analyst at Macquarie Bank, covering Australian Internet equities during the Internet boom and its demise. After a brief period as Director of the Allen Consulting Group their Sydney practice, Mara joined CSIRO as Director of Business Development, leading CSIRO BD across research Flagships and Divisions to build large science co-funded partnerships.
Mara and her family moved to the Gold Coast hinterland and she became founding CEO of Green Cross Australia (www.greencrossaustralia.org) in 2008.
Green Cross Australia is part of a global network of 30 offices founded by Mikhail Gorbachev with a mission to foster a global values shift towards a secure and sustainable future. Green Cross is not an advocacy group – rather it plays a partnership catalysing and convening role to empower people to respond to environmental change. We facilitate community/business/research/government partnerships that enhance natural disaster preparedness, environmental education and sustainable disaster recovery. Green Cross excels in building award-winning social media platforms to reach diverse audiences.
In his previous role he was responsible for supporting and developing research and community/corporate initiatives, and developing and managing industry and community partnerships through the Collaborative Alliance Model a strategy he developed for use in cross sector partnerships at Griffith University.
Jelenko has extensive experience in management and administration with over 15 years experience in private, public and not for profit sectors. Jelenko also spent 11 years with Australian Red Cross, including five years as Regional Manager, South- East Queensland. Jelenko dedicated considerable time on projects assisting refugees in resettlement, improving services to the elderly living in isolation and youth and children in need. Jelenko also has significant experience in volunteer management, having worked with thousands of volunteers across Queensland.
Over the years Jelenko has worked in emergency recovery in various roles. In 2006 he led a team of volunteers responsible for provision of recovery services in Far North Queensland following Cyclone Larry. Jelenko also managed evacuation centres in Central Queensland during major floods in 2008 and many other events since. Most recently during the summer of 2011 Jelenko co-ordinated the largest volunteer registration in state’s history through CREW service which he designed in 2008 following the Brisbane North storms.
Having lived, worked and studied in several countries over the years he has developed a strong interest in cross cultural engagement, social innovation and capacity oriented partnerships.
University of Queensland
view profile
Anthony Frangi is one of Australia’s most respected communicators, trainers and broadcasters. With over 20 years experience in the industry, he knows how to reach an audience and make an impact. Like so many broadcasters, Anthony began his career in community radio.
He has hosted top rating talk shows on ABC Radio in Queensland and on Brisbane’s Talk Radio 4BC, as well as presenting, reporting and producing for commercial television. Anthony has managed and programmed radio stations for ABC Radio in Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania. He currently holds the position of Program Director for the Bachelor of Journalism at The University of Queensland, but still has time to work in radio. Anthony’s dedication to helping the community has earned him State and National advertising and Media Awards, Queensland Tourism Award for Radio and a Queensland Landcare Award. In 2009, Anthony developed and launched JACradio.com.au for The University of Queensland.
Anthony is author of ‘So you want Media Coverage’ – a guide on how to attract good media coverage and ‘The Radio Toolbox –everything you need to get started in broadcasting’. He is currently writing a book on natural disaster management for media.
Anthony is very experienced when it comes to covering natural disasters. In 2009 he hosted an AIBD Radio workshop for managers and news editors in India. In 2010, he presented disaster workshops for UNESCO in Tonga, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and spoke at the 2010 CBAA (Community Broadcasting Association of Australia) national conference on disaster coverage. Anthony has also coordinated natural disaster coverage for ABC Radio in Australia and Fairfax Radio (Brisbane). As a broadcaster and program director, he understands the vital link radio plays in the communication chain. Anthony has a long and proud tradition of working closely with local communities and emergency services to deliver accurate and speedy public information. Anthony believes connecting is a crisis is about forward planning. To date, he has covered storms, cyclones, floods, tsunamis and bushfires. Anthony is currently supervising the development of an emergency App in co-operation with Volunteering Queensland.
Anthony is also highly regarded in the private and public sector as a speaker and trainer in media, presentation, communication and personal development. He assists people with speech writing and in delivering a polished presentation. Anthony enjoys nothing better than to inspire and motivate people. In 2010, he coordinated a 6 part community media workshop program in partnership with Volunteering Queensland.
As a professional MC, Anthony hosts everything from business conferences to corporate gala nights. Recent MC roles include: Brisbane Writers Festival (2010); UNESCO World Press Freedom Day conference (2010); UQ Centenary Celebrations; Asia Pacific Screen Awards.
Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department
view profile
Chris Collett is the Assistant Secretary of the Emergency Management Policy Branch, Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department. The Branch provides policy advice to the Attorney-General on emergency management issues and is responsible for a wide range of related functions. These includes coordination of the implementation of the National Strategy for Disaster Resilience, secretariat functions for the Standing Council of Police and Emergency Management and the National Emergency Management Committee, and risk, flood modelling, recovery and emergency warning policy matters. Chris has held a range of policy and management positions across the Attorney-General’s Department in classification, social inclusion, native title, intercountry adoption, and Cabinet and ministerial coordination.
Prior to joining the Department, Chris worked in state government and community sector organisations. Chris holds a Masters in development studies and a Bachelors degree and post-graduate diploma in psychology.
Charlie Wood is the area vice president of Asia Pacific and Japan for Radian6, a salesforce.com company. He is responsible for growing the company’s business in Asia Pacific, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Wood joined Salesforce in May of 2011 through the acquisition of Radian6, the leader in Social Media Monitoring and Engagement. Founded in 2006, Radian6 was created with the idea that companies need to monitor the social web in order to effectively join conversations with customers and prospects.
Charlie is a 20 year veteran of the software industry covering product management, consulting, marketing and business leadership. He has run two different start-ups in the enterprise social media space. He has been involved in CRM and customer interaction solutions for a major part of his career. In fact, 10 years of that experience was with Microsoft in Europe, Asia Pacific and at the company’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington, USA – where he once held the unique title of “Evangelist” as part of the Dynamics Business Solutions unit.
Charlie is now a resident of Sydney’s Northern Beaches where he lives with his wife, three children, one large dog and too many surf boards.
CSIRO Digital Technologies and Services Portfolio
view profile
