Our Team

Geoff Penton

Chief Executive Officer

(Mount Isa)

Geoff Penton

Geoff comes to Southern Gulf NRM with extensive industry knowledge and experience.  Holding a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Systems & a Certificate of Ecology issued by the University of Western Sydney (Hawkesbury Agricultural College), Geoff started as one of the first four Regional Landcare Facilitators for the Queensland Government.  He then worked as a planning officer for an NRM group before becoming an NRM Operations Manager for another NRM group before becoming a CEO, a role which he has held for around 12 years.

Mobile: 0408 871 978 | Email: geoff.penton@southerngulf.com.au 

Maree Berlin

Business Manager

(Mount Isa)

Maree Berlin

Maree has managed the Southern Gulf NRM business and finances for the past ten and a half years. She is also the company’s Public Officer and is our second longest serving employee. Prior to her time at with us, Maree worked in similar roles within Local Government and a private Accounting firm. Maree has extensive experience in Accounting and financial management, Human Resources, Administration/Operations together with Governance experience in the Not for Profit area.

Email: maree.berlin@southerngulf.com.au

Rachel Hoolihan

Program Coordinator Sustainable Land Management

(Mount Isa)

Rachel Hoolihan

Rachel joined the Southern Gulf NRM team in December 2019.  Rachel was born and raised in Longreach, Queensland and learned very early in her life that she wanted to live and work in the north.  For the last 7 years, Rachel has been employed by The Australian Agricultural Company as a Rangelands Officer and more recently Operations Manager, this has instilled in Rachel a solid foundation in productive landscapes and sustainability.  Rachel has a Rural Business Management and bachelor’s degree in Production Animal Science.

Mobile: 0427 651 984 | Email: rachel.hoolihan@southerngulf.com.au 

Pru Wharton

Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator / Strategic Engagement Project Officer

(Mount Isa)

Pru Wharton

Pru joined the Southern Gulf NRM team in April 2014.  She comes from a rural background based near Richmond and brings a wealth of experience from her time working in the cattle industry over the majority of her life.  Her role is to support and facilitate activities & growth within the Agriculture Industry.  Working closely with Producers, Local Government, Indigenous and other community’s groups Pru will support the adoption of Sustainable Land Management Practices and the protection of our landscape within the Southern Gulf Region.

Mobile: 0428 888 079 | Email: pru.wharton@southerngulf.com.au

Kayler Greenfield

Environment and Heritage Project Officer

(Mount Isa)

Claire Hobbs

NRM Project Officer

(Mount Isa)

Claire Hobbs

Claire Hobbs is a dedicated and hardworking NRM Project Officer.  She holds over 12 years’ experience within the Agriculture and Environmental management space and has completed university qualifications in both disciplines. Claire has lived in Mount Isa for over 10 years and has worked as an Environmental Advisor within the mining industry.  Prior to Mount Isa, Claire worked with a range of primary producers within NSW and QLD. Her role with Southern Gulf NRM focuses on the review of the regions Natural Resource Management Plan and project support to the team.

Mobile: 0447 817 929 | Email: claire.hobbs@southerngulf.com.au

Kayler Greenfield

Kayler is a vital member of the team as our Environment and Heritage Officer.  She graduated from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Natural Resource Management. Prior to moving to Mount Isa, Kayler worked in the Oil and Gas Industry throughout Australia as an Environmental Scientist.  Her role with Southern Gulf NRM focuses on sustaining the region’s natural and cultural environment.

Mobile: 0427 607 132 | Email: kayler.greenfield@southerngulf.com.au

Charles Curry

Senior NRM Project Officer

(Mount Isa)

Charles Curry

Charles joined Southern Gulf NRM June 1999 and is our longest serving team member.   As Senior NRM Project Officer, his main activities include implementing weed management and critical habitats programs across the region.  Charles graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Forestry) from the University of Melbourne.  Before moving to Queensland in 1999, he was employed as a forester for 24 years in Melbourne Water Corporation’s water supply catchments and prior to that as a Resources Forester for two years in the Northern Territory.  He is a member of two Landcare Groups – Gregory River and Mount Isa – and voluntarily participates in weed control activities with both groups.

Mobile: 0419 108 079 | Email: ccurry@southerngulf.com.au

Robyn Young

NRM Project Officer Weed and Pest Management

(Hughenden)

Robyn Young

Robyn joined the Southern Gulf team as an NRM Project Officer at the beginning of 2021 after spending the last 5 years as the Rural Lands Manager for the Flinders Shire Council.  Originally hailing from Townsville, Robyn completed her Bachelor of Applied Science with Charles Sturt University before working at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for 8 years. She also has extensive knowledge of the region, having lived locally for nearly 20 years.  Robyn’s primary area of focus is on Weed and Pest Management and she is actively coordinating a region-wide Biosecurity Plan as chair of the Gulf Catchments Pest Taskforce.

Steven Cobbin

GIS Coordinator / Mapping

(Mount Isa)

Steven Cobbin

Steve joined the Southern Gulf NRM team after completing his Environmental Science Degree at James Cook University as a mature age student in Cairns.  His studies included learning the fundamentals of Geographical Information Systems (GIS).  Since then, Steve has refined his mapping expertise as the Southern Gulf NRM GIS Coordinator.

Email: steve.cobbin@southerngulf.com.au

Tamara Beacroft

Communictions Coordinator

(Mount Isa)

Tamara Beacroft

Tamara is our most recent recruit, joining the team shortly after her move from Townsville to Mount Isa in 2021. Tamara is in the final stages of completing her university studies via correspondence with CQU.  Her background is in office and business development management which has complemented her studies.  Minoring in Communications, Tamara loves to talk and encourages our members and community to contact her at any time. 

Mobile: 0410 734 021 | Email: tamara.beacroft@southerngulf.com.au

Nicki Stone

Administration Assistant

(Mount Isa)

Nicki Stone

Nicki commenced working with Southern Gulf NRM in November 2019 and brings with her an extensive background in office management and administration. Nicki has lived in Mount Isa for over 20 years and is looking forward to continuing supporting the Southern Gulf NRM team throughout 2020.

Email: nicki.stone@southerngulf.com.au

Kovey Pang

Program Assistant

(Mount Isa)

Kovey Pang

Kovey joined Southern Gulf NRM in February 2020 for a 12 month traineeship, undertaking a Certificate III in Business Administration.  Kovey is looking forward to developing her knowledge and skills in office administration and management since completing grade 12 in 2019.

Email: kovey.pang@southerngulf.com.au

Empowering our community to sustainably manage our natural asset for current and future generations

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Southern Gulf NRM is a not-for-profit community-based organisation working through partnerships to implement strategic planning and investment activities that care for our region’s natural and cultural assets.

For more information on donations, please contact admin@southerngulf.com.au

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We pay our respects to Aboriginal elders past and present, recognise their continuing contribution to caring for country, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.