2008/09 Annual Report - Reef Check Australia

Our philosophy
Mission
To promote healthy local coral reefs through
Core values
scientific research, community education and
1. Raising awareness of the value and sustainability of
marine conservation.
2.
coral reefs
Improving management of coral reefs in Australia
To achieve our vision, we work across all industry
sectors, as well as with schools and governments,
3.
and the Indo-Pacific region
Empowering local communities in the conservation
community groups and individuals to promote and
encourage coral reef health and sustainability.
4.
of their own reefs
Maximising stakeholder benefits with minimal cost
5. Acting with professionalism and integrity at all times.
Objectives
Reef Check Australia aims to ensure a sustainable future for the Australian and Indo-Pacific region's coral reef
ecosystems by:
• the generation and publication of select coral reef data that is highly valued by scientists and marine managers;
• the establishment of reef monitoring programs that are accessible to a wide range of the population and yet still
produce valuable data;
• the establishment of a coral reef health database for Australia and the Indo-Pacific region that is integrated into
the global Reef Check network;
• helping the majority of Australian adults and children to understand the importance of coral reefs and be able to
tell you what they can do to help protect them;
• developing and implementing cutting edge training programs to enhance the value of the data collected
by volunteers;
• running quality marine-based education programs for local communities;
• encouraging meaningful participation by local communities in the promotion and maintenance of coral reefs
through Reef Check Australia programs or use of the database;
• promoting the sustainable use of coral reefs through partnerships with government,
researchers, business and community groups;
• raising public awareness of the economic, ecological and social value of coral reefs;
• promotion of the Reef Check Australia brand; and
• ensuring the financial sustainability of Reef Check Australia.
Our directors
Mark Miller, Chairman
As Board Chair of Reef Check Australia, Mark manages
the helm with his specific dive industry and commercial
business experience. A Master Instructor & Instructor
Trainer, holding ratings with PADI, DSAT, DAN, EFR and
TDI, he also has a coxswain license, Reef Check Trainer and
scientific diver ratings, as well as being a qualified scuba
service technician.
Jos Hill, Founder and Director
In partnership with Undersea Explorer and Andy Dunstan,
Jos established the beginnings of Reef Check Australia.
With an MSc Natural Resource Management from James
Cook University as well as a BSc Biology (International)
from the University of Leeds, Jos is also a PADI certified
Open Water scuba instructor.
Andy Dunstan, Director
Through Undersea Explorer, Andy was the North
Queensland Reef Check co-ordinator from 1998 and
has sat on the Board of Reef Check Australia since it was
established in 2004. A marine scientist, biochemist, Class
Four ship’s captain, dive instructor and educator, Andy
holds a BSc from James Cook University and a Masters
Qualifying degree from the University of Queensland.
Peter Payne, Director
Peter is one of Australia’s leading trainers in the diving
field with over 32 years’ diving experience. In 1995 he
became a PADI Course Director and has taught over
1,300 dive instructors. With a vast array of diver training
ratings, as well as a Diploma of Occupational Health
and Safety, Cert IV in Training and Assessment and a
Cert III in Aquaculture, Peter has also published twelve
training manuals.
John Rumney, Director
Having made a living on the Great Barrier Reef since
1977, John also sits on the Tourism and Recreation Reef
Advisory Committee for GBRMPA, the Local Marine
Advisory Committee, and the Cod Hole and Ribbon
Reef Operators Association. He was one of the original
founders of the Low Isles Preservation Society in 1993 and
acted as President for four years from 1998.
Andrew Gillespie, Director
A senior manager with Ergon Energy Corporation, Andrew
specialises in business strategy related to technology
futures. He is a long-term member of the Standards
Australia committee for his industry and is active within a
number of Ministerial Council on Energy working groups.
A keen diver for the last 15 years, Andrew is a PADI master
scuba diver and has logged over 1,600 dives.
Reef Check Australia 2
Annual Report 2008/09