Meet the Board
Meet our esteemed board of directors at The Wetlands Centre Cockburn, each of whom plays a pivotal role in steering our mission forward. Each of our Board members contribute their diverse expertise and unwavering commitment to the Centre, collectively championing our mission towards wetlands and environmental education and conservation.
Prof Treena Burgess
Chair
Prof Treena Burgess, serving as our Chair, is the Research Director at the Harry Butler Institute. She brings with her a distinguished expertise in plant pathology and biosecurity, having contributing significantly to Murdoch University’s research efforts.
Angela Sawiak
Board Member
Angela joined the Centre as a volunteer in 2015 and comes from an earth-science background. In her time volunteering she has used many of her corporate skillsets to assist in our projects. Her chief contribution to the centre has been the creation and management of the nursery plant propagation database.
Lakshmi Kanchi
Board Member
Lakshmi, known by her pen name SoulReserve, is an award-winning poet and environmental advocate. She was the inaugural Poet-in-Residence at The Wetlands Centre. Laksh enriches our educational programs with her artistic vision and dedication to cultural inclusivity.
VACANT
Treasurer
Felicity Bairstow
Secretary
Felicity is a dedicated environmental advocate with over 20 years of experience conserving bushland and wetlands in Perth. She has played a pivotal role in the Save Beeliar Wetlands campaign and continues to work on various conservation and community projects.
Paul Neville
Board Member
Paul is a Senior Lecturer and molecular ecologist at Curtin University, with research expertise focussed on helping threatened species and improving restoration outcomes. Paul is an environmental policy expert with extensive experience in strategic conservation planning.
Peter Rattigan
Board Member
Peter has extensive experience in land management, focusing on sustainable practices. His expertise strengthens our restoration projects and is helping us pursue effective landcare projects.
Cr. Carol Zhang
Co-opted Board Member
Cr. Carol Zhang was an active volunteer and passionate community leader before serving as a councillor in 2023. Carol came to Australia as an overseas student and has worked in WA public hospitals since 2008. Her family have called Cockburn home since 2010. Carol is a community-focused and hands on person. She has been volunteering in tree planting, book reading, Christmas carols, BBQs, Community Eats, cultural celebrations, quiz nights, beach clean-ups, etc...
With 30 years nursing and frontline clinical leadership, Carol brings analytical thinking, evidence-based practice and informed decision-making philosophy to the Council table, and always strives the best for our City.