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Frank is a professional forester, currently in Investment Management for a Forest and Agricultural asset manager. He has managed forestry and agriculture in the NT for over 10 years and has worked in the forest industry for over 25 years. He is passionate about opportunities for forestry in Northern Australia including commercial forestry, ecosystem services, integrated land uses and Indigenous forestry projects.
Paul has extensive experience in the agricultural sector, working in government and non-government roles advocating and supporting the agricultural sector. He worked in AgForce Queensland as the State Operations Manager and was the Chief Executive Officer for NT Cattlemen’s Association. Prior to becoming CEO of NT Farmers in 2019, he was the Director of Infrastructure Assets and Major Projects for the NT Government Department of Primary Industries and Resources.
Frank is a professional forester, currently in Investment Management for a Forest and Agricultural asset manager. He has managed forestry and agriculture in the NT for over 10 years and has worked in the forest industry for over 25 years. He is passionate about opportunities for forestry in Northern Australia including commercial forestry, ecosystem services, integrated land uses and Indigenous forestry projects.
With over a decade of experience in leadership, policy, and operations across the Northern Territory, Jessie is passionate about strengthening regional communities through agriculture and workforce development. As Southern Regional Director at the NT Cattlemen’s Association, she leads advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning to support a strong and sustainable cattle industry. Jessie also serves as a Node Manager for the Northern Hub, leveraging her network to foster collaboration and drive progress in climate resilience. Her career spans roles in biosecurity, business development, transport, and employment services—always with a focus on practical outcomes and lasting impact across the Territory.
Mark’s career has focused on sustainable development as the interface between Indigenous community development, community forestry and mining operations. He has over 20 years’ experience in environmental management, community forestry, engaging with Indigenous people, cross cultural communication, cultural heritage management and acting as the lead for negotiations between Indigenous communities and mining projects. Mark has worked on sustainability initiatives and research projects to further develop certification standards, including ecosystem services certification with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Mark has worked with the ASI Indigenous Peoples Advisory Forum from its first meeting in Malaysia in 2016, providing a technical support and facilitation role since then.
Mila leads the national approach to partnership innovation to achieve Plant Health Australia’s vision of a strong, integrated Australian plant biosecurity system. Mila has more than 25 years’ experience in applied RD&E, research management and policy development in forestry and agricultural industries, natural resource management, climate change and plant biosecurity, and is well-versed in the priorities and directions of northern Australia. She has a PhD in forest science and maintains a strong interest and involvement in tropical forestry, particularly Indigenous-led forestry in northern Australia.
Chris is the General Manager for African Mahogany Australia’s operations in Northern Australia. Chris holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences and originally worked in the forestry research arm of North Forest Products and North’s plantation development in Tasmania up until 1998. He then worked overseas for 20 years in numerous industries based in Brazil which included; retail purchaser (electronics) for an export office in the USA, market analysis for Brazil’s STCP forest consultancy and owned /operated a small business (women’s clothing) in Curitiba, Brazil.
Gibson Farmer Illortaminni is a Senior Tiwi Aboriginal man who has dedicated his career to the forestry sector on the Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory. As Deputy Chair of the Tiwi Plantations Corporation Mr. Illortaminni continues to play a key role in the development of the 30,000 hectare plantation as the base of the forestry industry on the Tiwi Islands, providing income and jobs for Tiwi people. He was born in Milikapiti on Melville Island, educated in Darwin and Mackay (QLD), and began working in forestry at the age of 17. Mr Illortaminni has previously served on the Tiwi Land Council including as Chairman for 11 years.
Hamish has recently joined Midway as General Manager Plantations and Carbon. Hamish has 12 years of experience working in the private forestry and timber processing sector and most recently managed AKD’s Sawmill, Forestry and Carbon Operations throughout Australia
Hamish also spent 10 years in the mining industry for Iluka Resources managing Mineral Sands mines across Australia during both the production and rehabilitation phases of the mining sequence.
Hamish has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management from The University of Adelaide and a Diploma in Forestry Management from the University of Melbourne.
Luke plays a leading role within the Plantations and Innovation Section in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry based in Canberra, including working with the 11 Regional Forestry Hubs.
More information on Australian forestry and the Regional Forestry Hubs can be found at https://www.awe.gov.au/agriculture-land/forestry
Hanna completed her degree in forestry at the University of Helsinki, Finland before moving to Australia. She worked for a softwood plantation company in South Australia for over 10 years holding various operational positions in plantation establishment, silviculture, roading, fire protection, harvest planning and scheduling, etc.
In 2019 she moved to Darwin to take on a position on the Tiwi Islands with Plantation Management Partners as their Resource Forester. In this varied role she was responsible for harvest planning and scheduling, environmental compliance, stakeholder engagement, and managed the port operations including chip stockpiling, screening and quality control, and ship loading. Hanna’s passion is to build an industry that will utilise the vast forestry opportunities in the North and provide livelihoods for remote communities.
Shop 15A,
Coolalinga Shopping Centre,
460 Stuart Highway,
Coolalinga NT 0839
email : director@ntovfh.com.au
NTOVFH is one of eleven Commonwealth funded regional forestry hubs across Australia. It’s aim is to support industry growth within the NT & Ord Valley regions