ABOUT US
ABOUT DESERT CHANNELS GROUP
The Desert Channels Group is comprised of three entities: Desert Channels Queensland; DC Solutions and The Desert Channels Foundation.
Desert Channels Queensland, along with 56 regional bodies Australia-wide, was founded on a Commonwealth initiative that established community groups to deliver natural resource management regionally.
Since its inception in 2002, the DCQ team has delivered projects through a range of funding programs with landholders, local government schools, Landcare groups, catchment groups, traditional owners and NGOs.
As an incorporated group DCQ operates under a constitution. It is supported by our commercial arm DC Solutions and The Desert Channels Foundation.
MISSION STATEMENT
Igniting the passion for the Outback; conserving its natural wonders.
VISION STATEMENT
Future generations value and improve our unique landscape.
OUR ETHOS
Working as a team, thinking as an organisation, acting as a community business.
THE BOARD
The DCQ Board consists of four Directors and a Chair elected by members of the Association. They meet regularly to provide strategic direction to the organisation, and to ensure that available funding is used in line with community priorities for the sustainable management of the natural resources of the region.
Board members are voted in for a three year term through a members’ secret ballot. The Board determines what specific qualifications and experience are required in light of the needs and aims of the Association at the time. The rules governing the operation of the Association are set out in the Constitution.
The Board holds regular teleconferences and meets face to face four times a year. It complies with all legal requirements regarding conflicts of interest and related party transactions, and undergoes independent reviews and biennial organisational reviews.
The Directors are happy to discuss related matters or community issues at any time.
ANDREW DRYSDALE
Chair of the board
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
MIKE PRATT
Vice Chair
Mike and his wife Sue own and manage a cattle trading operation SW of Longreach where they run Merino sheep, commercial goats, a small Angus stud. They have 40,000 hectares across three properties – Waroona, Bellfield and Ban Ban. Read more Mike is passionate about the environmental welfare and sustainability of the DCQ region and strongly supports the efforts of all involved to rein in and contain the spread of all Weeds of National Significance. Show less
VAUGHAN JOHNSON
Board Member
Born in Bourke, Vaughan Johnson was a grazier and contractor before entering politics. He has had a long career starting as a councillor on Quilpie Shire Council from 1970 to 1973. Read more He then entered the Queensland Parliament as the member for Gregory in 1989 and served as an MP until his retirement in 2015. Vaughan brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of politics, communities, small business and the grazing industry. Show less
GEORGE GORRINGE
Board Member
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
Treasurer
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
THE STAFF
The staff members provide administrative, coordination, project management, mapping, information management, publications and communications support across all areas of Desert Channels Queensland, DC Solutions and the Desert Channels Foundation work.
For general enquiries phone (07) 4658 0600.
Leanne Kohler
Chief Executive Officer
Simon Wiggins
Operations Manager
Doug Allpass
Landcare Facilitator
Roxane Blackley
Senior GIS Officer
Belinda Cuthill
Project Officer
Ben Galea
Project Officer
Tegan Glozier
Administration Officer
Jaxon Grams
Trainee Field Officer
Roshan Karki
Project Officer
Dean Marshall
Field Officer
Joanne Naumann
Office Manager
Kate Paterson
Project Officer
Natalie Pearce
Special Support Officer
Jeff Poole
Project Officer
Lance Sidebottom
Field Officer
Jason Smith
Field Team Leader
Peter Spence
Field Operations Officer
Roger Taiki
Field Officer
Desert Channels Queensland is supported by the Australian Government's National Landcare Programme and the Queensland Government
