About us
About Queensland Trust for Nature
On 3 March 2004 a Deed of Trust was executed to establish the Queensland Trust for Nature.
A revolving fund enables the Trust to purchase, protect and sell property. This is the foundation of the Trust's day-to-day operations.
The fund was established with $5 million seed funding from the Queensland Government. All philanthropic donations and proceeds from bequests, gifts, land sales and investments are paid into this fund.
The Trustee is supported by a Fund Management Committee of no less than 3 members which administer the fund and provide direction to the Trustee.
Committee members are experienced in private land conservation, geology, real estate development and business administration.
Technical advice and administrative support for the Trust is provided by the Department of Environment and Resource Management.
The Trust is listed on the Commonwealth Register of Environmental Organisations. Donations of land or money are tax deductible.
Objects of the Trust
The Deed of Trust outlines the principal Objects of the Trust as:
- The protection and enhancement of the natural environment or a significant part of that natural environment within the State of Queensland; or
- A purpose relating to the dissemination of information, the provision of education, or the carrying on of research, about the natural environment or about a significant aspect of that natural environment within the State of Queensland; and
- To establish and maintain a public fund to be called the ‘Queensland Trust for Nature Fund’ for the specific purpose of supporting the environmental Objects of the Trust. The fund is established to receive all gifts of money or property for this purpose and any money received because of such gifts must be credited to its bank account in accordance with section 30-E of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1977.
The natural environment includes:
- wildlife and their habitats
- issues affecting the environment such as air and water quality, vegetation and fauna
- waste minimisation outcomes
- resource management issues and biodiversity
- promotion of ecologically sustainable development principles.
Trustees
Graham Marshall
Representation/Specific skills: Property sector, business expertise
Current occupation: General Manager, Property Development, AV Jennings
Qualifications: B.Sc (Hons), MBA
Experience: Graham Marshall has worked for the Queensland Government and for a number of major development companies. Graham has had a long-standing interest in sustainable development and achieving positive environmental outcomes. He has won many awards for environmental excellence in property development.
Professional memberships: Urban Development Institute of Australia (Environmental Subcommittee)
Fund Management Committee
Molly Robson
Representation/Specific skills: Business and strategic planning, government liaison, community engagement/consultation, legislation and governance.
Current occupation: Self-employed Specialist Government Relations Consultant (Molly Robson Business Consultant).
Qualifications: B. Admin
Experience: 35 year business career including Queensland Minister for Environment and Heritage for three years while a member of the Goss Government from 1989-1995. Ms Robson has run her own private business consultancy since 1996 specialising in policy development, government relations, strategic planning, marketing and operations management. Prior to politics Ms Robson worked in the corporate sector as an accountant and administrator. Ms Robson was awarded the Centenary of Federation Medal in 2005 for services to the environment.
Professional memberships:
Currently
- Director of Foodbank Qld Inc (since 1997)
- Member of Greenfleet Australia Advisory Board (since 2004)
Formerly
- Member of the Public Trustee of Queensland Investment Board (2004-2009)
- Member of the Griffith University Fund Board (1996-1999)
- Chair of the Advisory Council of Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (1999-2005)
- Board Member Brisbane City Works (2003 to 2008)
- Member of Board of Trustees of Qld Performing Arts Centre (QPAC 2006-2007)
- Executive member of the Council of the Australian Federation of Consumer Organisations (AFCO) 1982-1987
- Chair of the Board of Keep Australia Beautiful Council Qld (1997-2004)
- Chair of the Board of Keep Australia Beautiful National Council (1999-2004)
Warwick Willmott
Representation/Specific skills: Interpreting geology and educating the public about geology and associated processes (e.g. author of books in the Rocks and Landscapes series for the Geological Society of Australia on south-east Qld and central Qld. Warwick is also a keen bushwalker and campaigned for expansion of national parks for the Scenic Rim of South-east Qld.
Current occupation: Retired and now a consultant to various organisations on geology and land use.
Qualifications: B. Sc(Geology), M. Science (Mineral Exploration).
Experience: A career in Geological Survey of Qld mapping, natural resources, geological hazards and land use planning particularly in resolution of issues between mineral resources and protected areas.
Professional memberships: Geological Society of Australia.
David Stent
Representation/Specific skills: Ecotourism, sustainable grazing and establishment of nature refuges, farmer education
Current occupation: Grazing/nature conservation management for Spicers Group and operator of Spicers Private Guided Walks on the Scenic Rim and grazier.
Qualifications: QDA, BA, Master of Agricultural Studies (UQ)
Experience: David has been involved in grazing management, tourism and nature conservation with the Spicers Group of hotels and lodges since 2000 - especially in the establishment of Nature Refuges. Previously he was International College Director and Marketing with the Queensland University of Technology and in the 1980’s, Manager, Farmer Education Services with the NSW Department of Agriculture. Earlier he worked in remote rural areas of Papua New Guinea and northern Australia. David lives on and operates a small grazing property on the Eastern Darling Downs. He is interested in sustainable tourism and nature conservation on grazing lands and recently established a business which has Advanced Ecotourism status and was a finalist in the Tourism Queensland’s 2010 Qantas Sustainable Tourism Award .
Professional memberships: Ecotourism Australia
Last updated 10 January 2012