Our Team

Philip was appointed Chief Executive Officer at Cradle Coast Authority in September 2025. Prior to joining CCA, Philip was the Acting General Manager of Norfolk Island Regional Council and has more than 20 years’ experience across environmental affairs, law, project management, and senior leadership roles in government, industry, and corporate sectors, particularly in New South Wales.

He holds qualifications in Environmental Law, Environmental Science and Management, Business and Public Sector Management, Training and Assessment, and Auditing. With extensive expertise in community engagement and stakeholder relations.

Philip was drawn to CCA for its unique role in working with councils and regional stakeholders to strengthen the Cradle Coast region as a place to invest, learn, live, work, and visit. He is committed to making a positive impact on the region and its communities.

EMAIL: preid@cradlecoast.com

In 2024, Bonnie joined Cradle Coast Authority as the Regional NRM Manager.  

Bonnie is a fifth generation Tasmanian and grew up on her family’s dairy farm at Upper Natone. As a child, she volunteered with the local Landcare group on ragwort removal, fostering strong connections with the land and community.  

Bonnie studied applied chemistry at the University of Tasmania, supported by a scholarship and summer work with Botanical Resources Australia. She later completed a PhD at Monash University examining carbon and nutrient cycling responses to river restoration. 

Bonnie has 20 years of experience in environmental management. She worked as an environmental consultant for Jacobs (SKM) in Victoria and Tasmania leading the water quality monitoring and management practice.  In 2020, she became Principal Scientist at Bonneville Consulting providing studies and advice to the Tasmanian water industry. 

Spencer joined the CCA in 2011, delivering sustainable agriculture programs for the Cradle Coast farming community. He progressed to become the Regional NRM Manager for CCA between 2017 and 2022, before taking on a role within the team as NRM Business Manager. This role provides oversight of business operations and supports the NRM management team to ensure that reporting and compliance requirements of all funded programs are met. Spencer has a Bachelor of Engineering (Naval Architecture) and a Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management, as well as many years’ experience in management in both the travel and food industry. 

EMAIL: sgibbs@cradlecoast.com

Grace joined the CCA in September 2022 as an Executive Assistant to the CEO. She brings a background in finance, with experience in banking, speculative trading and administration. Grace holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance.

After relocating to Australia in 2019, she chose the Cradle Coast for its natural beauty, welcoming community, and lifestyle opportunities.

EMAIL: gelmurr@cradlecoast.com

Patrick has held a number of accounting positions in businesses on the Cradle Coast for the last 30 years, before joining CCA in August 2020 as the Finance Coordinator/Accountant, in November 2021, Patrick took on the role as Finance Manager. 

Patrick has experience in the wholesale/retail, manufacturing and not for profit sectors. He was also previously the team leader of the finance hub at Cradle Coast Campus of the University of Tasmania and is a member of the Institute of Public Accountants. 

EMAIL pharvey@cradlecoast.com

Lewis Jaffray joined the team as Communications Support Officer at Cradle Coast Authority in March 2026, where he supports media and communications across our natural resource management initiatives. Lewis previously completed an internship with the organisation, gaining hands-on experience in strategic corporate media and communications.

EMAIL: ljaffray@cradlecoast.com

Nicole joined the CCA team in 2025 as project manager for the Regional Land Use Strategy (RLUS). In this role, she will assist the Regional Planning Group (RPG) in achieving regional planning priorities, specifically reviewing and updating the content of the Cradle Coast Regional Land Use Strategy.

Relocating from Queensland to Tasmania, Nicole brings 20 years of experience in regional, community, and cultural development to roles within government, consulting, and the private sector. Having worked extensively in Local Government in Queensland and Tasmania, she is purpose driven and thrives on creating meaningful strategic plans, managing projects and driving exceptional outcomes.

Nicole has lived and worked exclusively in regional areas and is highly invested in supporting the development of thriving regional communities. Nicole delivers a commitment to collaboration and a people centered approach to her roles.

EMAIL: regionalplanning@cradlecoast.com

Brittany Kelly joined our team in January 2026 as a GIS Analyst to support our Regional Planning (CCRLUS) project. CCA hosted Brittany in 2025 as part of her student prac while she was completing her Bachelor of Geospatial Science at Charles Sturt University. The position of GIS Analyst is Brittany’s first post-graduation job in her field of study. Within this position she looks forward to applying the skills and knowledge gained during her university studies, alongside further developing these skills during the work she will be conducting for CCA.

Reanna joined the team in late October, 2025.

Reanna started her career in administration as a trainee admin assistant at the Burnie Supreme Court, where she completed her Cert 3 in Business Administration. She then worked in the real estate industry as an administrative assistant.

This experience gave Reanna a strong foundation of knowledge and skills for working in administration, and she is looking forward to further developing her skills and career with the Cradle Coast Authority.

EMAIL: rakrap@cradlecoast.com

Hannah Sadler has held a couple of different positions in the NRM team at CCA, NRM Facilitator, Engagement Officer since September 2019 and most recently as Land Program Manager. Hannah has worked in natural resource management, agriculture, and local government in Western Australia and around Tasmania. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Natural Environment and Wilderness Studies and a Certificate III in Digital Media. Hannah has extensive experience in working with local government, industry, farmers, volunteers, and school groups. Hannah grew up on a dairy farm at Flowerdale and has a passion for this region, its community, and natural resources.

EMAIL: hsadler@cradlecoast.com

Tom has been working at CCA since 2014, currently coordinating the small landholder property management planning programs including facilitating workshops for farmers. He is qualified to deliver agricultural subjects in University, including soil health management and pasture identification and was previously a microbiologist in the dairy industry with an in-depth understanding of food-borne pathogens, and pathogens in pyrethrum.

Tom holds a Bachelor of Applied Horticultural Science, Bachelor of Applied Agricultural Science with Honors, and a Doctorate of Philosophy (Agriculture, Plant, Pathology). He has experience in whole farm planning (property management), soil health and pasture identification (for animal nutrition), natural fertilizer application (compost teas and extracts), agricultural research (designing and managing research projects in field, glasshouse, laboratory techniques, DNA/RNA extraction, virus testing), microbiology/mycology (microscopic and biochemical identification and detection of numerous microorganisms pathogenic to both plants and animals and teaching agricultural science.

EMAIL: tomalley@cradlecoast.com

Isabella joined Cradle Coast Authority in 2024 and has held multiple roles including as a Project Officer and NRM Communications Officer prior to commencing as Land Coordinator in 2025.

Isabella has always had a passion for sustainable agriculture. Growing up in Smithton surrounded by the diverse Circular Head agriculture industry, she witnessed the rapid industry growth first-hand and saw the need for innovation and education to ensure efficient production can remain environmentally sustainable.

This led her to study a Bachelor of Natural Environments and Conservation at the University of Tasmania, focussing on holistic management of both natural and modified landscapes. While doing so, she gained valuable experience in communications, environmental compliance, and NRM project work across a variety of government and non-profit organisations.

Isabella aims to continue making a positive impact on communities and the agricultural industry across the Cradle Coast region through her role with the Cradle Coast Authority.

Joseph joined CCA in July 2025 as a Biodiversity Coordinator responsible for overseeing the Giant Freshwater Crayfish Recovery project.

Joseph has a Masters in Environmental Science from the Australian National University and a PhD from the Federation University focused on improving vegetation restoration in arid environments. Joseph also has previously worked for an NRM group in Queensland where he worked on a variety of environmental projects including invasive species control, threatened species and ecological community rehabilitation, and wetland protection.

EMAIL: jstapleton@cradlecoast.com 

Nicky joined the CCA team in July 2024 as Project Officer for the Community Action for King Island Bird Recovery Project, to implement actions across King Island to protect the habitat of two priority species listed in the Threatened Species Action Plan, the King Island Brown Thornbill and King Island Scrubtit.  

Nicky was born and raised in the NSW Snowy Mountains region on a farm and has worked predominately in the agriculture industry in various roles for the past 30-plus years, including Coordinator of the Centre for Rural Social Research at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga for 9 years. She holds a Graduate Diploma in Rural Business Administration from Orange Agricultural College and has completed Certificate III in Horticulture.  

Nicky and her husband Tas have lived on King Island for 14 years and run an Angus beef herd on their farm on the beautiful wild west coast. They are both very interested in regenerative agricultural practices which they are gradually implementing on their farm. Nicky is also passionate about revegetation and restoring habitat on the island. 

EMAIL: nloane@cradlecoast.com

Iona joined CCA in 2017 and is responsible for CCA’s Three Hummock Island project (protecting Hooded Plovers from feral cats) and Urban Rivers and Catchments program.

Iona has been working in science and natural resource management since 2002. In Queensland, she worked on several large waterway restoration projects, managed water quality monitoring activities across the region, delivered an update to the region’s Water Quality Improvement Plan, and coordinated stakeholder engagement groups. Iona has a BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, Master of Resource Management (Coastal and Marine Management), a Cert IV in Project Management, and experience in the public service, academia, and consultancy.

Kylie joined CCA in 2022 as the Regional Cat Management Coordinator. She completed her Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Biosciences degree in 2012, looking at stress in shelter dogs as an honours student. From here she spent 6 years working in Victorian shelters, working both hands-on and in an engagement capacity as an advocate for responsible cat ownership. She has also fostered cats for RSPCA Victoria and dogs with the Australian Working Dog Rescue Inc.

Passionate about biodiversity, Kylie has also volunteered with Birdlife Australia, Zoos Victoria and Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater, and more recently completed a 3-month internship with Phillip Island Nature Parks monitoring feral cats on the island. She is also a certified wildlife rescuer with Wildlife Victoria, having completed a certificate in Wildlife Husbandry and Rehabilitation.

In 2021 Kylie completed a Master of Environment degree with the University of Melbourne, after which she took on a short-term role with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning as a Forest and Wildlife Officer prior to joining CCA.

EMAIL: kashley@cradlecoast.com

Jason joined CCA in 2024 as our Healthy Harbour Project Officer, aimed to raise awareness and increased community engagement and support towards the recovery of the Maugean skate, endemic to Macquarie Harbour.

Extremely passionate about protecting native flora and fauna, Jason has worked for numerous conservation and environmental organisations with roles varying from supervising a bush-regeneration crew, running environmental workshops, community planting and clean-up days, native nursery operations, wildlife sanctuary keeper and operated a Southern-brown Bandicoot and Long-nosed Potoroo breeding program.

Before moving into the conservation field and completing a Cert 3 in Conservation & Land Management, Jason attained a Bachelor of International Studies and a Bachelor of Spanish before completing his Post-Graduate Certificate in International Development while simultaneously working on a waste-management development project in Guatemala, Central America.

EMAIL: jcullen@cradlecoast.com