CHAIR OF THE BOARD - PROFESSOR CHARLIE CORKE MB BS., BSC., MRCP(UK), FCICM
Since its inception Charlie has advised the Conservation Ecology Centre on concept development and strategy and he brings extensive governance and leadership expertise. Charlie is Deputy-Chair of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board and past President of the College of Intensive Care Medicine. Charlie was Director of Intensive Care at The University Hospital Geelong until 2009 and is now a senior specialist, dividing his time between Geelong and Apollo Bay and lecturing widely on medical communication and end-of-life decision-making. “The Conservation Ecology Centre’s unflinching efforts to advance the environment, together with their integrity and positive engagement inspires me to share their passion.” Charlie has served as a Director of Wildlife Wonders since 2018.
ANDREW BUCHANAN
Buck has been a part of the Apollo Bay community since 1987 when he established Wild Dog Trading Co – a business which is still trading today as Home Hardware. He brings hands-on business expertise and strong local knowledge to the Board. Buck was elected as a Coastal Riding Councillor in 1989 and served on many committees up until Council’s amalgamation in 1994 when, as a member of the Planning Committee, Buck helped drive the establishment of the first planning scheme for the Otway Shire. Continuing a strong commitment to coastal planning led to Buck’s appointment as the first Community Representative to the (then) Foreshore Committee and he then served as Chair of the Otway Coast Committee, which managed approximately 30km of the Otway coastline. In 2002 Buck completed Apollo Bay’s largest retail development comprising a supermarket, 5 shops and 12 multi-level apartments – a project which won the Master Builders regional award in 2002. Buck is a founding trustee and former Chair of the Apollo Bay & District Health Foundation. Buck has served as a Director of Wildlife Wonders since 2018
MATTHEW BRIDGES
Matthew is a commercial lawyer and Special Councel with Hall & Wilcox and brings a broad range of experience in diverse areas of legal practice across both the public and private sectors. Matt is a director of several not-for-profit organisations. Matt has served as a Director of Wildlife Wonders since 2018. “I was immediately drawn to Lizzie and Shayne’s vision for CEC and their extraordinary drive and passion for conservation and improved land management in the Otways. Having spent many happy summer holidays in the region as a child, it is great to now be able to contribute to CEC’s valuable work.”
Lizzie Corke OAM
Lizzie co-founded the Conservation Ecology Centre in 2000 in order to develop and deliver solutions to the most urgent conservation challenges in the Otways. Lizzie continues to support the development of CEC as its Chief Executive. Lizzie’s experience with ecotourism social enterprise began in 2004 when she co-founded the Great Ocean Ecolodge, an Advanced Ecotourism Accredited venture which won the Victorian Tourism Awards for best new development (2004) and was recognised by National Geographic Traveller as one of the 25 best ecolodges in the world. Lizzie was awarded the Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year Award in 2005, a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to conservation and the environment in 2020. She has served on the National Environmental Education Council, as a Director of Ecotourism Australia and as Chair of the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority Community Advisory Group.
Leonie Foster
Leonie provides technical advice for a wide range of Australian and international ecotourism projects. As Program Manager with Ecotourism Australia, Leonie developed the world’s first ecotourism destination certification for protected area management agencies and worked with the Government of Vanuatu to develop Vanuatu’s Tourism Accreditation Program. She was an external collaborator of the United Nations World Tourism Organization working on best practice ecotourism within the Asia Pacific region. She has also worked as an Associate Lecturer in Responsible Tourism at The University of Queensland Business School, an independent auditor for Ecotourism Australia, and Collaborations and Communications Manager at the Cambridge Conservation Initiative.
Brian Massey
Brian was Greensmaster of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ films, an Art Director on ‘The Hobbit’ films, and landscape designer of New Zealand’s award winning ‘Hobbiton’. As Creative Director of Wildlife Wonders, Brian has imagined, designed and created the stunning natural landscapes where the resident animals feel at home and protected, and where our visitors have the best chance of incredible encounters with wildlife in their natural habitat. “If I do my job well, no one will even know that I’ve been here,” said Brian during the construction phase. “It’s all about augmenting a wonderful landscape to steer the experience of land, botanics and animals.” Brian has served as a Director of Wildlife Wonders since 2018
Shayne Neal
Shayne co-founded the Conservation Ecology Centre in 2000 in order to develop and deliver solutions to the most urgent conservation challenges in the Otways. Shayne continues to support the development of CEC as its Chief Operating Officer and he was awarded the Australian Geographic Society Conservation Award and National Geographic Society World Legacy Awards in recognition of this work in conservation and engagement. Shayne oversaw the creation of Wildlife Wonders, working closely with Brian Massey to develop the visitor experience. His experience with ecotourism social enterprise began in 2004 when he co-founded and built the Great Ocean Ecolodge, an Advanced Ecotourism Accredited venture which won the Victorian Tourism Awards for best new development (2004) and was recognised by National Geographic Traveller as one of the 25 best ecolodges in the world. "We have a fundamental responsibility to care for our natural world" he said, "there really is nothing more important." Shayne has served as a Director of Wildlife Wonders since 2018.
Tim Noonan
Tim is a Chartered Accountant and Tax Advisor and has served as a Director of West Carr & Harvey since 2006. Tim has broad experience providing a range of tax and advisory services to individuals, family-owned businesses and Australian subsidiaries of multinational companies. Tim‘s client base includes medical professionals, professional services firms, retailers, primary producers and the building/construction industry. Tim has served as a Director of Wildlife Wonders since 2018.