MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
President/Chair Peter Stevens
Peter and Fiona Stevens arrived in Maleny in 2000 and Peter joined LBCCG as a member due to his interest in rehabilitating the riparian zones on their beef cattle farm. Peter’s passion and knowledge soon led to his appointment as LBCCG President and has held that position ever since. Peter holds a degree in applied science and horticultural technology.
Peter for many years practiced what he preached: carrying out extensive on-ground works on his property including stream crossings, off-stream watering and rehabilitation of riparian areas. LBCCG funded some of the work but the vast majority was paid from the Stevens’ own pockets, showing their dedication to improving the water quality and riparian zones of the area. Peter and Fiona sold ‘Arley Farm’ in 2016.
Vice President Reverend Bob Philpot
Reverend Bob Philpot grew up on a dairy farm in Victoria and along with the other residents of Dilkusha has restored the 29 hectare ex-dairy farm property, becoming the second declared Nature Refuge in Queensland. Bob brings exceptional hands on knowledge of ecological restoration and understanding and empathy for local farmers.
Bob has provided great support to LBCCG Programs for many years and as Treasurer from 2018 to 2020. He accepted the role of Vice President in 2020.
Secretary Steven Lang
Steven is a past President of Maleny District Green Hills Fund, who took the lead role on the ambitious Maleny Community Precinct Clean Energy Future Biodiversity Fund project.
Steven is an author of note publishing A Strong Brown God – a book on his experiences walking the iconic Mary River from headwaters to mouth. He has tutored and lectured extensively in Creative Writing at the University of the Sunshine Coast and has a Masters in Creative Industries, specialising in writing for film.
Treasurer Peter Pamment
Peter left his ethology research job and moved his family to their 64 hectare farm in Conondale in 1981 raising his kids, cattle and planting cabinet wood trees. Peter held leading positions with the local school council and the local rural fire brigades.
Peter has been involved in the Maleny Co-operatives development movement over the last four decades and used his IT and finance skills to develop the Credit Union systems and governance, whilst also assisting in international microfinance development in the Pacific region.
Now residing in North Maleny, he brings his governance, finance knowledge and practical land management experience to the committee.
Committee Member Heather Spring
Heather is Principal of Geochempet Services, a specialist in engineering and exploration geology providing petrographic services to the construction and mining industry.
Heather has held many positions within the Maleny community including President of Barung Landcare, and President of the Maleny Community Centre, presiding over the $1.65M refurbishment of the building.
Heather brings to LBCCG exceptional organisational and governance knowledge, exceptional communication skills and the ability to rapidly process complex issues.
Committee Member Marek Malter
Marek Malter moved to Maleny in the mid 1980s purchasing the local Pharmacy. In 2003 the business won the Australian Best Retail Pharmacy award. Marek was a founding member of Barung Landcare and has been actively rehabilitating his 20 hectare block in the Bridge Creek catchment, including farm forestry utilising local species.
Marek is also currently undertaking a residential development that is utilising green technology to provide sustainable housing.
Marek brings to LBCCG sound business principles, a sustainable environmental outlook and practical skills gained through his experiences rehabilitating his own property.
Committee Member Ben Green
Ben has been passionate about the environment and conservation for as long as he can remember having spent much of his childhood, outdoors exploring. Ben got hooked on birding as kid after being given his first field guide and binoculars and hasn’t looked back since. Any chance he gets, Ben will be out birding in some his favourite local spots and loves the opportunity to go further afield.
Ben’s been working in the environmental sector since 2003 in a variety of settings including local government, private consulting, not for profit and environmental management and compliance.
Ben has recently worked as a Senior Ornithologist for a private consultancy specialising in bird work on renewable energy projects. Ben currently works in Local Government as an officer in reserve management.
STAFF
Manager Mark Amos
Mark has over 25 years’ experience in the environmental and agriculture industries, working with various government, semi-government, and community groups.
Growing up in rural Victoria with a close association with the bush from a young age, Mark was destined to work in the environmental industry, initially as Summer Fire Crew with the Department of Conservation. Mark has since worked for the North Central Catchment Management Authority in river management, Mallee CMA as a Landcare Facilitator, several Landcare groups, Greening Australia as a rural fencer and seed collector, and a Sunshine Coast commercial Bush Regenerator and Landscaper. Perhaps most importantly Mark worked on the family 6,000 acre wheat and sheep farm, acquiring all round skills and ensuring a good understanding and empathy for our often embattled farmers.
Despite the broad experience the one constant in Mark’s career has been working with larger property managers to effect broad landscape change. Mark steadfastly believes the key to success is having a variety of skills and ability, such as good communication and documentation skills but most importantly respect for primary producers and the all too rare ability of being able to ‘get the job done’. Mark commenced work with LBCCG in 2009.
Project Planner (Agriculture, Erosion and Sediment Control)
Luke Ferguson
Luke has over 20 years experience working in the rural sector. After completing a Bachelor of Land Resource Science degree at the University of Queensland, Luke began his professional career in Local government, working in Central Queensland, focusing on stock route, environmental reserve, and pest management.
Following on from local government, Luke returned to work in his family beef enterprise situated around Biloela. For over 13 years, Luke drove the development of the family business growing the operation to a fully accredited EU breeding and fattening operation, running 2500 head across three properties, on 25,000 acres.
More recently, Luke moved to Rockhampton where he worked as an Environmental consultant for a private company. This experience has provided Luke with a broad and balanced outlook of the environmental issues that face rural and regional communities.
Luke has a true love for agriculture and the people that work within the industry, he is constantly working on improving the skills of landholders to successfully help them manage their land in the most environmentally sustainable manner possible.
Project Officer (Dairy) Paul Mackay
Paul has lived and worked in Maleny for 37 years. He arrived when dairying was a major part of the Maleny economy. Paul and his family own and operate a beef breeding property specialising in Droughtmaster genetics that are sold throughout Australia, Canada and South America.
Since the early 1990s Paul has undertaken many projects on the property including land slip management, off stream watering, re-establishing wildlife corridors and riparian restoration – projects that both improved productivity and provided environmental and water quality benefits.
Prior to joining LBCCG Paul worked as an Agronomist in the Maleny district rural supplies sector for 25 years including extensive experience with dairying, beef and other intensive farming systems in a sub-tropical environment.
Project Officer ( Weeds)
Ivan Cafarella
Ivan has spent most of his life living in the Maleny, moving to the hinterland in 1990. Growing up on several acres of heavily vegetated land, Ivan developed a love of nature and the outdoors. Ivan has a particular interest in the Flora and Fauna significant to the local area.
In 2010 Ivan completed a Bachelor of Forensic Science at the Queensland University of Technology. He then embarked on a career in the Queensland Police Service, serving at Hendra station in Brisbane.
Deciding that he would rather pursue his passion for the environment, Ivan returned to Maleny and worked for Barung Landcare and Assist Ecological as a bush regenerator.
After honing his skills and knowledge in the industry, Ivan started his own business and in 2016, He began contracting for Lake Baroon Catchment Care Group.
Following several years of fieldwork, an opportunity arose to further develop his career and Ivan began managing the Weed program. He now also works as a Project Officer for the Landslide Program and draws on his experience in the field combined with the new skills acquired in the office.
Office Manager – Claire Wynn
Claire first came to Australia in 1996 to visit family and was inspired by her Uncle’s love of the Australian bush and wildlife. She emigrated in 2000, settling in Maleny.
Claire has over twenty years’ experience in office administration working and volunteering with various not for profit and environment groups in Australia and Scotland.
