The Big Scrub Rainforest Foundation Directors

The directors of the Foundation bring together extensive experience as directors of companies involved in banking, financial services and manufacturing, in managing businesses and not-for-profit organisations. They have broad experience in rainforest restoration and the management of rainforest restoration projects.

Dr Tony Parkes, Executive Chairman and Founder: The Founder and Executive Chair of the Foundation is Dr Tony Parkes AO, BSc (Hons), PhD. Tony has 25 years’ experience in funding and directing more than 40 restoration projects and in restoring rainforest on a third of his family farm. Tony received a National Award for Community Environmental Leadership from the Australian Minister for the Environment and Energy in 2016. Previous positions in business and financial services include, chairman of Lloyds Bank NZA, Lloyds Corporate Advisory Services and Parbury Ltd; Director of Lloyd’s Merchant Bank (UK), Wormald Ltd; Tyco International (USA); CEO of Parklands and Properties and General Manager, Cresco Fertilisers Eastern Australia. Tony is also the co-founder and President since 1993 of Big Scrub Landcare.

Dr Peter Bowen, Deputy Chair: Peter achieved a University Medal with his BE in Chemical Engineering and a PhD in Systems Engineering. Peter’s career with CSR included Managing Director of New Zealand Sugar, General Manager of The Refined Sugars Group and Managing Director of Monier PGH. Over the last 20 years he has volunteered his time to numerous non-profit NGOs and mentoring business leaders in the Northern Rivers.

Martin Brook, Director: Martin is a graduate from the PCL London, now the University of Westminster. He is currently Chairman of Brookfarm, founded in November 2000. Over the past 18 years, Martin and his family have built a multi award-winning business that manufacture and market a range of premium foods that value-add to regional horticulture products. Martin directly manages Brookfarm’s Macadamia farm and overseas an extensive rainforest tree planting program. Over 35,000 native trees have been planted on their own farm at St Helena, near Byron Bay. Martin is also a co-founder and director of the family’s successful Cape Byron Distillery, makers of many award winning products, including Brookie’s Byron Dry Gin.

Renee Borrow, Director: Renee has a first class honours degree in Environmental Science and is Manager of the Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy. Her research included investigation of frog DNA. She has excellent project and general management skills and has extensive on-ground rainforest restoration experience.

Georgina Jones, Director & Secretary: Georgina has a degree in Environmental Science and extensive experience in bush regeneration, delivering rainforest restoration projects and working with community environmental groups. Georgina has been a member of  Landcare for over 20 years.

Shannon Greenfields, Director: Shannon has a degree in Environmental Science and was the former Manager of Big Scrub Landcare but now works in government. She has extensive experience in rainforest regeneration, managing rainforest restoration projects, science communications and all aspects of community and stakeholder engagement.

Richard Anthony Edward Parkes, Director: Richard has a Bachelor of Science from Maquarie University, majoring in Geological Sciences and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.