We’re a small but mighty team and we call ourselves The Factory. Our team are supported by the guidance and expertise of the EcoMarines Board, Educational Advisory Committee and industry experts.
EcoMarines wouldn’t exist without the hundreds of teachers who work with Ambassadors and Support Crew in their schools to create a wave of environmental change.
Louise has an extensive history in marketing, communication and public relations. With a strong media and management background, she has worked in senior management roles for both the private and public sectors. In 2007, Louise established her public relations company, Rarefish PR, which led to an enduring consultancy and association with Tangalooma Island Resort.
Louise is a co-founder of Tangalooma EcoMarines and is committed to our mission to restore our oceans and waterways through education, student leadership and community action.
Penny does all she can to help those who are the driving force behind EcoMarines – our school ambassadors. She is passionate about Moreton Bay and loves working with the ambassadors to promote the importance of looking after the ocean and all the activities the students do to keep their patch clean.
Penny always says she’s on a mission to save the world and hopes to inspire people every day to get involved in the program. But most of all she is inspired by the ambassadors.
As the General Manager, Penny sets in motion the vision, strategic plans and goals for EcoMarines to make it the success it is today!
Dini joined our team in 2020 and we call her the Pocket Rocket for her creative ideas and passion to support children be the next generation of sustainable heroes. Dini has been a part of many volunteering opportunities in environmental education while studying a Masters of Conservation at university. Working with Growth and Education Development for EcoMarines is a dream come true!
Living previously in Sri Lanka and New Zealand has allowed Dini to understand the importance of taking positive environmental action as a community to protect and secure our ecosystems for the future.
David has worked for Tangalooma Island Resort for almost 30 years. Starting his career as a scuba diving instructor, by 1992 David worked his way up to head of the company’s sales and marketing operations, and in more recent years has undertaken a broader role as a company Director.
In 2008, David was the driving force behind the concept of Tangalooma EcoMarines. In his role as Chairman, he continues to be a strong advocate for the protection of Moreton Bay and its marine and wild life.
David is recognised as one of Australia’s top authorities in Asian tourism and has served on Queensland China Council and Australian Tourism Export Council advisory panels.
Louise has been involved with Tangalooma EcoMarines from the start. She and David James worked on the idea back in 2008, and since then, Louise has been in the thick of things. She works closely with Penny and the team to keep improving the program so that young environmental leaders can make our world better.
Louise lives at Cleveland and can see Moreton Bay at the bottom of her street. She loves all the natural treasures that live there, even the Curlews that keep her awake some nights. Working for Tangalooma EcoMarines is Louise's passion!
David was drawn to Tangalooma EcoMarines by the enthusiasm of Louise and Penny in his first meeting with them and the strong focus of the organisation on building leadership qualities in school children.
He finds working with a Board and team focused on such a great life outcome for children and boost for the environment is enjoyable and very worthwhile.
As well as being the Treasurer for EcoMarines, David is the owner of OnTrack Accounting Pty Ltd and Captain of Nudgee Golf Club (his other passion).
David (we call him Doc as there are 3 Davids on the board!) was a lecturer in Geography/Environmental Science at the University of Queensland from 1991 to 2015 and Director of the Geography / Geography & Environmental Management Program from 2003 to 2011.
He has authored or co-authored about 265 refereed publications, conference papers, reports, etc., many of them about Moreton Bay and other coastal environments. He has served on the Coastal Protection Advisory Council (Qld) and Raine Island Scientific Advisory C’tee and on the management committees of the Australian Marine Conservation Society and the Australian Coral Reef Society. He has enjoyed living beside and gazing out across the waters and islands of Moreton Bay for nearly 50 years – and enjoyed watching the dolphins and dugongs (occasionally) and pelicans, curlews, oyster catchers, soldier crabs and other wildlife of the beautiful Bay
Bill joined Queensland's leading news team, 7 News at 6.00pm, in January 2013. Bill is an award winning, highly respected and experienced news presenter, with an extensive journalistic career across various media, well known for his live hosting and commentary skills of major weather disasters and news events.
With more than 28 years in the media, Bill is a skilled news and sport presenter, broadcaster and commentator working in television, radio, print and on-line. Bill's other hosting and commentary roles comprised of major network events including the Lions historic AFL Grand Final victories, Bathurst 1000, Gold Coast Indy and Australian Golf tournaments. Bill is passionate about Moreton Island and the bay and is an active advocate for healthy living and exercise. A regular entrant in fun runs and fitness training, he has completed the Gold Coast half marathon.
Brian is a highly experienced tourism, sales and marketing professional with a track record of revenue growth, market share growth and profit maximisation. Brian attributes his success to his ability to stay at the forefront of industry through his extensive personal network and deep understanding of the issues facing industry.
Brian has held senior marketing and management positions at Warner Bros / Village Roadshow Theme Parks, Dreamworld, Australia Zoo, Greyhound Australia, American Express Travel, V8 Supercars and Queensland Rail as well as successfully operating his own consultancy business, Marketing Alternatives, for over 10 years. He has an excellent understanding of Queensland tourism from his terms as a board member for Fraser Coast Tourism and Gold Coast Tourism (deputy Chair). Brian holds an MBA with a major in Electronic Commerce, as well as having guest-lectured at the University of Queensland in Marketing and Tourism for a number of years.
After 20 years in the Banking and Finance sectors, thanks to the GFC Ben realigned his career in 2012 to environmental and conservation management by joining the Queensland Trust for Nature as its inaugural external CEO. In 2016 Ben joined Skroo and Jude Turners private family group to help establish the Turner Family Foundation. This Foundation has established a number of projects including the Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre which oversees the breeding and research into Australia’s endangered and threatened wildlife in partnership with UQ. Other projects include the ecological restoration of the Turners three Nature Refuges and the Little Liverpool Range Initiative, a wildlife corridor in south east Queensland.