The Gorgon Barrow Island Net Conservation Benefits Advisory Board reviews all funding proposals, oversees the management of the fund (which is administered by the WA Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions), recommends new projects to the Minister for Environment, and recommends budgets for established projects based on their reported progress. The Minister appoints three members to the Advisory Board and also appoints deputy members who can act when a Board member is unavailable.

 

Mr Kelly Gillen

Mr Gillen was appointed chair of the Board in 2022. Mr Gillen is a biologist with a lengthy career with the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions and its predecessors.  He has extensive experience with the conservation and management of the Pilbara region through his roles as Regional Manager of the Midwest Region and Assistant Director, Region and Fire Management Services. Mr Gillen has been a leading figure in fire management and incident response for the State.

 

Trevor Ward

Dr Trevor Ward

 

Dr Andrew Smith

Dr Andrew Smith is an ecologist with broad experience encompassing academic, Government, and industry sectors. He is currently the Environment and Quarantine Systems manager for Chevron and is a member of the Gorgon Marine Turtle Expert Panel, the Quarantine Expert Panel, and the Northwest Shelf Flatback Turtle Conservation Program Advisory Committee.

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Dr Kelly Waples

Dr Kelly Waples is the Principal Research Scientist to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, is Executive Officer of the Board.

 

 

Previus members of the Board include:

Previous Board members have included Dr Andrew Burbidge AO, appointed as the original Chair in 2006 through his retirment from the role in 2021; Mr Brian Wills-Johnson M.Phil,  a foundation member appointed in 2006 until his retirement in 2022 and Prof. Nigel deBussy, appointed as a deputy member in 2011 until his retirement in 2022. Previous nominated membersfrom the Gorgon Joint Venture have included Mr Russell Lagdon (2006-2018), and  Mr Johann van der Merwe (2018-2021).