ABOUT US
Welcome to Desert Channels Queensland
We are the natural resource management (NRM) organisation for the Queensland section of the Lake Eyre Basin.
But what does that mean? Simply put, we work alongside landholders, graziers, local government, Traditional Owners and community to deliver projects that invest in our region’s soil, water, pasture and biodiversity resources. We work across 51,000,000 hectares of outback country in Southern and Central West Queensland.
Our team is experienced in weed management, feral animal control, revitalising springs, property mapping, data capture, sustainable agriculture, threatened species monitoring, improving land condition … well, you get the idea. We have a whole range of projects “on the go”, all to improve the condition of our region’s rich natural resources.
At Desert Channels, we invest. We roll up our sleeves and we get the job done.
THE BOARD
ANDREW DRYSDALE
Chair
A former Charleville district grazier, immediate past CEO of NRM Regions Queensland, current Chair of the Lake Eyre Basin Ministerial Forum Community Advisory Committee, Andrew stepped into the DCQ Chair role in November 2018.
Read more Equally at home in the corridors of Parliament House or around the back of a mob of sheep, Andrew is acutely aware of the challenges facing small, remote NRM organisations like DCQ. Show less
RACHAEL WEBSTER
Director
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Rachael’s background is in public health and community development, and over the years she has worked for Queensland Health, DPI, Education Queensland and RAPAD in a range of roles. She’s interested in holistic land management and the intricate connections between different social and environmental determinants and their contribution to health and wellbeing to support thriving western Queensland communities and ecosystems.
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JOHN OGG
Director
John Ogg is a man deeply rooted in the pastoral landscapes of Western Queensland. With a life steeped in the traditions and challenges of rural Australia, John brings a blend of hands-on experience and a strong sense of commitment to the organisation.
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John and his wife Helen reside in Toowoomba, yet the heartbeat of their lives reverberates from Ayrshire Downs, the family property in the Winton district that John grew up on. He travels there every few months, along with Helen, to help their sons manage the multi-property enterprise they own. For years, John worked with his brothers in the management of these properties. Five years ago he took the helm along with his sons. They operate from Ayrshire Downs, a half cattle, half sheep enterprise that is keenly looking into modest expansion into tourism and quarrying. John’s willingness to serve as a DCG director stems from his belief in the Group’s mission.
Through his new role, John Ogg hopes to give back to the community and landscape that have shaped him, saying, “All I want to see is the DCQ teams continue on doing what they’re doing. It’s a breath of fresh air to all that country out there.” With a lifetime spent in Western Queensland, John Ogg is a steward of the land in the truest sense. And as he steps into this new role at DCG, he not only brings his practical experience but also a heartfelt desire to contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future for the Desert Channels Region.
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JILL FITZGERALD
Director
Jill grew up on the land in the Barcoo Shire firstly on Lina Glen on the edge of the mitchell grass downs and later Carella in the heart of the channel country where she continues to live with her husband Ted. Carella is run as a beef producing enterprise with Santa Gertrudis and Shorthorn cattle as well as having a carbon project which blankets over half the property.
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Jill has been heavily involved in the local community throughout her life being involved with local committee’s and has served time on the Barcoo Shire as a councillor during which time she was Chair of the Tourism and Community Advisory Committee and was a member of the Land, Water and Animal Management Advisory Committee.
Spending most of her life living on the banks of the Thomson River through droughts and record-breaking floods Jill is very passionate about maintaining a clean pest free catchment throughout the Lake Eyre Basin to preserve this natural asset for now and future generations. The water courses that meander through the Barcoo Shire are the lifeblood of her community; without them being in pristine condition local industries cannot survive.
Having worked alongside her husband on the land will all aspects of property life Jill is both at home and comfortable in either the paddock or the office, with her children now left home with families of their own she feels she can contribute back with local knowledge and years of experience lived and learned on the land.
What Jill is most excited about working with DCQ is her chance to work with local communities to help preserve and promote our local natural assets in a sustainable way that will endeavour to continue to preserve this fragile landscape to be a healthy ecosystem. Growth of local industries especially tourism and more nature-based industries are an area of particular interest and working with a diverse range of passionate people in the Desert Channels team.
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GEORGE GORRINGE
Director
Born in Innamincka, George then moved to Windorah where he went to school. After leaving school, he went droving. He then gained experience managing different properties around the region and worked as head stockman.
Read more George was a founding member of the Cooper Creek advisory committee which consisted of graziers, conservation representatives, oil and gas and irrigators. He also sat on the Cooper Creek Catchment Committee and the LEB Advisory Committee. As a Mithaka elder, George was instrumental in setting up the Lake Eyre Basin Traditional Owner Alliance with 13 different TO groups and is still involved. Show less
ROD WILLIAMS
Director
Rod grew up on sheep properties in the Longreach district before commencing a career as a land valuer with the (then) Department of Lands. During this time he developed expertise in land valuation, Crown land management, rural and regional recovery programs and natural resource management initiatives.
Read more Rod brings the knowledge of the social, economic and natural resource management challenges facing the region, and a strategic understanding of the dynamics and requirements of natural resource management organisations at the local, State and Commonwealth government levels. Show less
OUR TEAM
For general enquiries, phone (07) 4658 0600.
Leanne Kohler
Chief Executive Officer
Roxane Blackley
Research and Development Manager
Doug Allpass
Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator
Nicki Heslin
Corporate Services Manager
Janet Woodfield
Admin and Reception
Emma Callaghan
Media and Communications Officer
Roshan Karki
GIS and Information Management Officer
Jana Sykorova
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
Matilda Paesler
Grazing Land Management Officer
Ben Pearson
NRM Project Officer
Wendy Williams
NRM Project Officer
Maria Vega
NRM Project Officer
Bella Knight
NRM Project Officer
Patricia Fernandez
NRM Project Officer
Megan Reid
NRM Services Officer
Peter Spence
Senior Field Coordinator
Jason Smith
Field Supervisor
Paul Daisy
Field Supervisor
Ryan Ruwhiu
Field Crew
Karlin Bockman
Field Crew
Gus Crockett
Field Crew
WORK WITH US
We offer a rewarding career and a supportive work environment that makes a difference (click to read more). From field work to community engagement, research and mapping, no two days are alike. Reach out and have a chat!
VACANT POSITIONS
Please contact us on 07 4658 0600 to find out more.
OUTBACK LIVING
Regional living offers a rewarding and interesting life. Check out some of the benefits.
INCENTIVE PROGRAM
We have an excellent incentive program and a history of staff retention.
Desert Channels Queensland is supported by the Australian Government's National Landcare Programme and the Queensland Government
