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.

After growing up in the Augathella district running his own place for 16 years, a fear of boarding school fees motivated him to move to Toowoomba where he carved a career in helping land managers with issues like salinity, weeds, feral animals, habitat protection and erosion control.

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.

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RACHAEL WEBSTER

Director

Rachael settled on a family station west of Longreach in the early 2000s, after an overseas travelling stint and growing up on property in Liverpool Plains in NSW. She brings decades of leadership experience across the community sector.

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.

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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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.

After getting married, he and his new bride managed Kihee for 5 years before moving on to manage more properties around the region.

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.

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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.

Rod moved on to managerial positions with the Pastoral Lands Board of Western Australia and Natural Resource Committees in New South Wales and, during the height of the Coal Seam Gas expansion in the Surat Basin, he was Land Access Manager for a leading resource company.

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.

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OUR TEAM

For general enquiries, phone (07) 4658 0600.

Leanne Kohler

Chief Executive Officer

Geoff Penton

Operations Manager

Doug Allpass

Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator

Roxane Blackley

Research and Development Manager

Bethany Murphy

Contract and Project Support Officer

Jana Sykorova

Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

Roshan Karki

GIS and Information Management Officer

Crispian Yeomans

Media and Communications Officer

Janet Woodfield

Admin and Reception

Phillip Jackson

Field Technician

Wendy Williams

NRM Project Officer

Maria Vega

NRM Project Officer

Peter Spence

Senior Project Coordinator

Jason Smith

Field Supervisor

Dexter Leonard

Field Crew

Ryan Ruwhiu

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 POSITION

We are currently accepting applications.

NRM Officer

Salary Range $65,000 – $85,000.

Desert Channels Queensland is seeking a NRM Officer to join our team.

Support the delivery of on-ground, in-field projects that invest in NRM condition (soil, water, land, biodiversity).
Travel the region as you coordinate, manage and maintain, as well as collect data and conduct monitoring, for DCQ projects.
Develop and deliver community engagement, communication materials and events that relate to projects.

As a member of the NRM Officer team, this role works on a range of different projects with stakeholders (landholders, community, industry, LGAs, TOs) to invest in natural resources across the region.

How to apply:

Please see the Position Description & submit:

Cover letter with brief outline response to your potential contribution to key focus areas.
Resume including two referees (no more than five pages).

Applications should be addressed to:

Ms Leanne Kohler
Chief Executive Officer
PO Box 601
Longreach Q 4730.

(email address included on the pdf attachment).

Click For Description

VACANT POSITION

Applications close 24th November 2025.

Business Development Manager

Salary Range $90,000 – $110,000.

Desert Channels Queensland is seeking a dynamic Business Development Manager to join our growing team.

A senior leadership role responsible for driving the growth and diversification of DCQ’s funding portfolio.
Build partnerships with stakeholders to secure income-generating commercial partnerships, corporate sponsorships, and philanthropic donations (including bequests and foundation funding).
Design and deliver business proposals that align external funding interests with DCQ’s mission, programs and values

As a member of the Senior Management Team, this role is dynamic and will lead the expansion of commercial and investment ventures that align with DCQ’s environmental and community objectives.

How to apply:

Please see the Position Description & submit:

Cover letter with brief outline response to your potential contribution to key focus areas.
Resume including two referees (no more than five pages).

Applications should be addressed to:

Ms Leanne Kohler
Chief Executive Officer
PO Box 601
Longreach Q 4730.

(email address included on the pdf attachment).

Click For Description

VACANT POSITION

Applications close 10th November 2025.

Communications Officer

Salary Range $75,000 – $95,000.

Desert Channels Queensland is seeking an energetic Communications Officer to join our growing team.

The successful candidate will be creative and able to take initiative, and will be responsible for making engaging content that reflects the work of Desert Channels Queensland – photography, articles, social media, educational flyers, media releases and videos.

Capture and promote relevant stories from the field in relation to project work, project activities and NRM issues (soil, water, land and biodiversity)
Build working relationships with project partners and broadcast organisations, pitching stories to achieve greater audience on news and social media
Develop a Communications Plan for each project in collaboration with staff and oversee overall Communications Strategy.

This position would be suitable for an entry-level or an experienced content-maker.

How to apply:

Please see the Position Description & submit:

Cover letter with brief response to the Selection Criteria.
Resume including two referees (no more than five pages).

Applications should be addressed to:

Ms Leanne Kohler
Chief Executive Officer
PO Box 601
Longreach Q 4730.

(email address included on the pdf attachment).

Click For Description

VACANT POSITION

Interested? Please email info@dcq.org.au.

Research Opportunity (Waddy Tree)

Desert Channels Queensland wishes to support a postgraduate student in conducting research to aid in conservation and management efforts and fill the essential knowledge gap required to conserve Waddy Tree species effectively.

Waddy Tree (Acacia peuce) inhabits the extensive barren, shallow sand soils of Central Australia. Listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act 1999 and endangered in Queensland (NC Act 1992) and Northern Territory (TPWC Act 1976). This iconic tree is a testament to the adaptive and resilient flora of arid landscapes. The Waddy Trees’ isolated existence marks it as a climatic and biogeographic relict within the arid region. Despite its resilience, the Waddy Tree faces several threats. Known threats include wildfires, landscape management, timber cutting, weed infestations, and herbivory.

Benefits:

Up to $20,000 in financial support to suitable applicant(s),
Supporting accommodation for students while visiting Longreach.
Access to professional support with DCQ staff, DCQ vehicles and office space while on deployment.
You will have the opportunity to adapt the potential research proposal to align with your interests, passions and the broader scope of the study.

Please see this document for more information. To express interest, reach out to info@dcq.org.au.

More Information

Desert Channels Queensland is supported by the Australian Government's National Landcare Programme and the Queensland Government