Reef Catchments has welcomed the appointment of its new Chair and former Mayor of Mackay, Ms Julie Boyd.

The role is a good fit for Ms Boyd, “I have always had an interest and involvement in the natural resources sector,” she said.

“In my time as Mayor, I was involved in and championed many projects that were linked to the natural resources sector. From the establishment and construction of the effluent reuse scheme, to building new solid waste and recycling facilities, introducing a wildlife/bush land levy, producing a vegetation management plan with extensive mapping, and constructing the botanic gardens to showcase native vegetation, to name a few.”

Reef Catchments is the Natural Resource Management group (NRM Group) responsible for implementing NRM and environmental projects in the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region. The group allocates resources and funding, including from the Australian and Queensland governments, to drive on-ground change. Reef Catchments works with a wide range of stakeholders in the community, including landholders and farmers, community groups, local council and business.

As the new Chair of the organisation, Ms Boyd is also Reef Catchments first Chairwoman, and is excited to have a hand in protecting our natural environment while supporting the growth aspirations of the regional community.

“Nearly every person wants to protect natural assets but they don’t always know what that means or what they might be able to do. Sustainability is essential to everything that we do. It is not just environmental sustainability but also social and economic sustainability,” she said.

Ms Boyd is confident that through innovative actions and solutions focused thinking it is possible to have a balance locally between people, planet and profit.

“We must be cognizant of our surroundings and the people with whom we interact to ensure that we continue to have a great quality of life without destroying communities and the natural environment.”

Ms Boyd replaces long-standing Chairman of the Board, Mr Royce Bishop.

Mr Bishop has been involved in natural resource management in the area for more than 12 years, including as Chair of Reef Catchments Limited for seven years and involved in the management committee of the former Mackay Whitsunday NRM Group prior to that.

Reef Catchments Limited CEO, Mr Robert Cocco, said, “Royce has been a well-known figure in the sustainability and NRM space for over a decade and in this time has overseen big changes, including in the move from the original Mackay Whitsunday NRM Group to Reef Catchments as it stands today.

“He has been an integral person in the development of NRM and Reef programs both domestically and internationally. We would like to take the opportunity to thank Royce for his efforts and dedication over the years and we bid him all the best with his endeavours ahead.

“We are now thrilled to welcome Ms Julie Boyd to continue the good work being done and to help steer the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region into the next stage of natural resource management for a more sustainable future.”

ABOUT JULIE BOYD

Julie was elected as the first female Mayor of the City of Mackay and retained that role for 11 years from 1997 to 2008 when she chose not to recontest the election. She was involved in Local Government for 16 years.

She originally trained as a Registered Nurse having completed her studies in Brisbane at the Mater Hospital and undertook Midwifery studies in Scotland. She also studied Politics and History at the University of Queensland.

In 2008 – 2010 Julie became the Qld Government Special Trade Representative to Japan, Republic of Korea and the Philippines and from 2010- 2012 was Special Trade Representative for Qld to Africa.

Julie is an experienced company director and has expertise in strategy, governance and the Not for profit sector. Julie is a Director on several Boards.

She is an accredited coach and provides mentoring services to a Brisbane based company.

She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and a Fellow and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.