Outdoors Great Southern brings together the very best strategic thinkers with significant experience in the government and non-government sectors. Our staff bring a breadth of skills and experience in tourism, outdoor recreation, natural resource management, and social research.
Charna is responsible for increasing community participation and capacity across the Great Southern Region through the development and delivery of outdoor recreation and education programs, workshops, training and consultation.
Charna grew up in Albany, moved to Perth at twenty then went overseas before returning to Albany ten years ago to once again enjoy the south coast and all it has to offer. Charna says, “my two kids are my greatest accomplishment!”
Charna’s background is varied and brings great experience across many different industries, including operational management within health clubs and has always worked in recreation or been involved in some form, keeping fit coaching sport and loving the outdoors.
Rosie arrived from the UK in 2001, and since moving to WA in 2008 has made it her mission to get out in the southwest as much as possible! She has an extensive background in both south coast-based environmental management and as an outdoor educator, in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. She also graduated as a high school science teacher in 2023, and is passionate about connecting people responsibly with our incredible southern region landscapes in a way which fosters curiosity and stewardship. Rosie has a broad skill set to draw on which includes that as a previous ecotourism business owner, farmer’s wife, volunteer coordinator, natural resource project manager, and environmental consultant.
Living in Denmark for over ten years now with her two children has been the backdrop to a catalogue of outdoor adventuring solo, with friends and family, and through work. Rosie has way too much energy for someone her age and loves to channel it into trail running, exploratory bushwalking and fastpacking, kayaking, camping, and the odd bit of mountain biking and bodyboarding to boot. There’s so many places to explore and so little time!
Kirsten has a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from UWA, is a Justice of the Peace and previously worked in client services at the Community Legal Centre in Albany. She is also the Volunteer Manager of the SES Mt Barker and has been with them for over a decade.
“My objectives are to make the region more accessible and sustainable, getting people of all abilities and backgrounds to work together to make our region the best it can be.”
Greg Mair works for the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions as a Fire Projects and Planning Officer. He has had a long career with State government agencies, including as the South Coast Regional Manager for the Parks and Wildlife Service in Albany, and postings in Walpole, Kirup, Manjimup, Busselton and Bunbury. While the area manager at Walpole Greg was a member of the project team involved in the development of the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. Greg has been actively involved in athletics and yachting and has State and National achievements in both sports. He was the Commodore of the Walpole Yacht Club and Secretary of the Geographe Bay Sailing Club at Busselton. These days the fitness pursuit is more aligned to walking the many trails around Albany.
“I strongly believe that getting people out into the natural environment has beneficial outcomes for both their well-being and their greater appreciation, respect and valuing of it”.
Joanna Friend is a Chartered Accountant with significant experience in the areas of Financial Reporting, Management Accounting, and Organisational/Governance Management disciplines. She is the Proprietor of Culture Accounting and Management Consulting, and the Executive Manager of Finance for Albany Community Care (ACC).
With many years of experience working within and managing organisations in a range of industries and business structures, including; ASX listed entities, not-for-profits and PBIs, and SME’s. Joanna specialises in helping organisations achieve their financial and organisational goals by developing and implementing strong financial reporting frameworks, developing IT ecosystems, instilling internal control/governance practices, and by building efficiencies into organisational processes.
Joanna, originally from Darkan WA, has relocated to Albany from Perth to re-capture a country lifestyle and spend more time in the great outdoors.
Matthew is an experienced corporate lawyer and company secretary with over 25 years’ legal experience. Matthew has a strong corporate governance background and has worked for a number of companies, including Alcoa, Bankwest and Shell. Having just moved to Albany he is now a Special Counsel with the HHG Legal Group.
Matthew also loves the outdoors. He is a keen fisherman, camper and golfer and, after a 30 year hiatus, has also recently made a cricket comeback in Albany with the Many Peaks C-Grade cricket team.
The Outdoors Great Southern Board welcomes Laura Bird to the team.
Exploring and adventuring with a sustainability focus drives Laura. She completed a Bachelor of Arts at UWA (Environmental Anthropology) and headed to the Kimberley to manage APT’s Ungolan Safari camp, guiding tourists through the Michelle Falls.
Drawn back to the amazing South Coast to raise her family, she completed a Diploma in Sustainability and Graduate Certificate in Education for Sustainability while teaching Cert 4 Sustainable Business units at TAFE. Laura sat on the Regional Capacity Reference group for SCNRM and most recently was State Manager of the not-for-profit organisation Green Skills, overseeing projects on revegetation, weed management, waste reduction and sustainable skills.
Her personal goal is to raise awareness of sustainable living to increase her community’s resilience and enable future generations to continue to enjoy our spectacular outdoors environment. Hiking is one of Laura’s favourite outdoor pursuits growing from her Timbertop school days exploring the Victorian Alps. She later ventured overseas to Nepal, Peru, Japan, Botswana and Borneo; scaling whatever peaks she could find. Laura now enjoys discovering the hidden gems throughout the Great Southern, Peak Charles being one of her favourites.
After many years living and working overseas in Senior Management roles for the likes of the UN, APT and Qatar Airways, Kristen has recently launched her own Business Coaching practice in Albany. Kristen holds a B.Comm in Sports Admin and Commercial Law, a Graduate Certificate in Migration Law, Masters in Business Leadership (MBL), Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Coaching. Her passion lies in leadership development and in making leaders and organisations the best possible places they can be for their employees.
Kristen is a keen sports person and loves being in the great outdoors. From abseiling and rock climbing to camping, SUP-ing or heading out on one of the many beautiful trails around the region, there is no end to the exploration.