Scott Machin (Chair)

Scott spent the majority of his career working in the financial services sector. He is currently the Chief Operating Officer for an Indigenous charity. Scott has held non-executive director positions at Settlement Services International (SSI) and Metro Assist Limited (including 5 years as Chair).

He believes we need to provide turtles with a voice to help them battle the man made challenges they are facing.

Phil Remphrey (Treasurer)

Phil spent the majority of his career working across the mining and manufacturing sectors. He is currently the Commercial Manager for BHP’s Olympic Dam Mine. Phil currently serves as a non-executive director on Paddle SA’s board and is Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Management committee for the Dentist Hygienist Association Australia.

Phil believes that turtles are the gatekeepers of the oceans, and we need to protect them, so our oceans remain healthy.

Michelle Delebet

Michelle has spent over 30 years consulting in the resources sector, with a focus on the adoption of new methods and technologies to drive improvements and sustainable productivity. In 2010 she left a Chief Operating Officer role to establish her own consulting firm – Corporate Growing Pains. Michelle has held a non-executive director position at Keperra Country Golf Club and with Coolum Business and Tourism Association as Secretary.

Travelling the beaches of the world for over 4 decades and now living at Yaroomba Beach on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, a precious turtle nesting region, she sees these pristine environments being overwhelmed by human impact.

Ernie Metclaf

As a successful CEO in the disability sector since 2003, Ernie brings a wealth of skills and experience from working in the not-for-profit sector and in fulfilling the role of Company Secretary/Public Officer for his employer. Over a number of years he has worked with, and/or supported, many Boards and Committees in the not-for-profit sector, the private sector, and in semi-government sectors.

Ernie Metcalf has a passionate interest in the Sea Turtle Foundation’s aims and objectives, and what it is trying to achieve nationally and internationally.

Kath Wilson

Kath is the Managing Director of a consulting firm specialising in strategic and business planning, community consultation, program management, business case development and implementation, organisational change, and risk management. Kath has served on not-for-profit boards both nationally and at the grassroots level.

As an avid traveller who has seen both the best and the worst of our marine environments and the devastating impact this can have on marine life, Kath is determined to raise community awareness of sea turtles as the “bees of the sea” so we continue to enjoy the wonder of turtles with our future generations.

Sabrina Fossette-Halot

Sabrina has been researching marine turtles with the North West Shelf Flatback Turtle Conservation Program (NWSFTCP) since 2015. Her role includes monitoring and evaluating the impact of environmental conditions and human activities on the movements and behaviour of marine turtles to help manage and conserve marine turtle species, particularly flatback turtles, in Western Australia.

Having previously worked on marine turtles, marine mammals and jellyfish in the field of movement ecology, eco-physiology, and conservation biology, Sabrina has vast experience in the field of marine fauna. Sabrina is highly experienced in data analysis, scientific paper writing and communication, providing management advice, and supervising PhD and post-graduate students across these areas. Throughout her research career, she has received multiple Fellowships and grants to work at several locations worldwide.

Dr Kathy Townsend

Dr. Kathy Townsend is an Associate
Professor in Animal Ecology at the University of the Sunshine Coast, where she leads the University of the Sunshine Coast Milbi Sea Turtle Research and Rehabilitation Centre.

Her research is dedicated to marine
conservation, with a particular focus on the
impacts of climate change and marine
pollution on sea turtle health. Dr. Townsend’s
work is highly interdisciplinary, addressing global issues such as marine debris and its effects on
marine species.

She has significantly contributed to understanding the conservation status of marine species listed on the IUCN Red List and has influenced policy development at various governmental levels. Dr. Townsend is an invited member of several prestigious organizations, including the United Nations Marine Litter and Plastic Reduction Program, The Plastic Free Galapagos Consortium, and the Sea Turtle Foundation Scientific Advisory Board.

Dr. Townsend is also recognized for her community outreach efforts, engaging with traditional owners and citizen scientists to promote marine conservation: winning a NAIDOC award for work
with the Quandamooka Community and the prestigious Peter Doherty Award for Science and
Education.

Through her research and advocacy, Dr. Townsend continues to make significant strides in protecting marine environments and the species that inhabit them.

Jennifer Gilbert

Jennie Gilbert is a qualified veterinary nurse and veterinary technologist, zoologist and marine
biologist. Jennie is currently undertaking post graduate research at JCU into turtle health. 

Jennie is the co-founder of the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, a not-for-profit operation that has helped nurse hundreds of sick and injured reptiles back to health over the past 20 years, releasing
them back to the Great Barrier Reef.

Over the years, the hospital’s success rate for the rehabilitation of the turtles has grown from 30 to 90
per cent, which is one of the highest rates in Australia.

The Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre has attracted the much-needed help of nearly 120 local
devoted volunteers and trains university students both internationally and interstate in the care and
rehabilitation of rescued and injured turtles. The centre also attracts volunteers from abroad.