Meet the Board

Greg Bruce, Director

Greg Bruce is currently employed as Executive Manager of the Integrated Sustainability Services (ISS) Department in Townsville City Council (TCC), where he has worked for 14 years specializing in and leading an integrated coastal-water-energy and carbon cycle management approach to on-ground sustainability outcomes. This has included establishing the Creek to Coral partnership with council engineers and community and working with Energy to establish two other sustainability programs. His passion and interest in sustainability is in finding practical new ways to communicate and implement on-ground outcomes in sustainability, including whole of community approaches. Prior to commencing work with Townsville City Council he spent 14 years in various military roles around the world, which included 8 years as a military underwater combat diver and small boating specialist. He has a Bachelor of Applied Science in NRM from the University of Adelaide.

 Terry Done, Director

Dr Terry Done is an internationally renowned marine biologist and coral reef researcher who made his first foray into coral reef studies on a part time basis in 1970 while a PhD student in Zoology at a small university in New South Wales, Australia. In 1975 he obtained a post-doctoral fellowship in coral reef ecology at James Cook University, then in 1980 joined the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) where he progressed through the ranks of Research Scientist until his retirement in 2007.  He has been an advisor to governments in Australia, US and Indonesia on coral reef science and management, and he has written over 60 scientific papers and book chapters, with a focus on coral reefs.  The scope of his work and interests also includes the geological history of coral reefs, the processes of reef growth, effects of fishing and pollution, and the effects of global climate change.  He is now an AIMS Research Associate and an Adjunct Professor at the Centre for Marine Studies, University of Queensland, positions that allow him to continue his studies and impart the benefit of his knowledge and experience to undergraduate and graduate students.

Andy Dunstan, Director

Andy is a marine scientist, biochemist, Master Four ship's captain, dive instructor and educator.

He holds a BSc from James Cook University and a Masters Qualifying degree from the University of Queensland. Andy is currently writing his PhD on his studies of deep sea nautilus biology and conservation, which he has also recounted in his book, 'The Great Barrier Reef Undersea Experience', to showcase a cost-effective and unique model which combines tourism, science and conservation.

Throughout his career, Andy has focused on bringing together scientific, industry, government and community sectors to work towards coral reef conservation.

He has helped to facilitate a Memorandum of Understanding for protection of the northern Coral Sea reefs, and has advised on rezoning of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. He has also co-developed minke whale and shark tourism guidelines and created a range of marine education and training programs. More recently, Andy has worked with the Worldwide Fund for Nature to describe the species diversity and unique nature of Coral Sea reefs.

Through Undersea Explorer, Andy was the North Queensland Reef Check co-ordinator from 1998. He and Jos established the beginnings of Reef Check Australia in 2001. Andy has been a board member of Reef Check Foundation Limited since it was established in 2004.

Mark Nilsen, Director

Mark Nilsen has been a Reef Check volunteer since 2004 and has been one of our most loyal volunteers regularly participating on surveys every year. He was born and raised in Sydney leaving to live in Townsville in 2002. He currently works at Moore Stephens as a financial advisor and has a Bachelors in Biological Oceanography. Previously he worked for the Commonwealth Bank in a similar position and has over 10 years experience in the financial service industry working in stockbroking and financial planning. Mark is also an Open Water Scuba Instructor and brings to Reef Check Australia his wealth of experience as a diver and volunteer, as well as his valuable business experience.

Jo Roberts, Director

Jo Roberts, from the UK, has been recently voted on the board. In the past year, she has been working as our Education Officer developing and implementing the Reef IQ Educational Program. Before coming to Australia she worked as a Project Manager for a financial capability organisation in London working in schools with disadvantaged and homeless young people.

She has a Masters in Development Studies and has worked as a teacher in Chile, Nepal and China. Her love of diving and coral reefs drew her to Townsville and to Reef Check Australia where she now hopes to encourage young people from all over Australia to get involved in helping conserve Australia's unique coral reefs.

Jodi Davison, Company Treasurer

Jodi joined as Reef Check Australia's accountant in 2009 and takes care of all the everyday accounting and financial management. In 2010 Jodi agreed to join the Board as Company Treasurer further fulfilling Reef Check Australia's financial and accounting needs.

Krystal Stubbs, Company Secretary

Krystal joined Reef Check Australia as Company Secretary in September 2008 and now acts as one of the Company's named representatives on legal documents as well as maintaining the company records. She also practises as a lawyer at Connolly Suthers Lawyers in Townsville. Her specialities include general commercial law, company law, property law and wills and estates. This means she can ensure that Reef Check Australia complies with relevant legislation and regulations, as well as keeping the board members informed of their legal responsibilities.

Krystal has always had a keen interest in environmental conservation and chose environmental law and environmental studies while completing a Bachelor of Laws degree at James Cook University (Australia). Becoming a PADI certified open water diver in 2008, Krystal hopes to further her scuba diving skills by getting more dives under her belt and completing the PADI Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver courses before joining the Reef Check Australia training course so that she can become more actively involved in helping monitor the reef.