Queensland Biosecurity Ambassador Program

Biosecurity Officer, Gympie Regional Council

James is a highly experienced senior biosecurity officer at Gympie Regional Council. He has a strong background in biosecurity awareness and preparedness, particularly in pest, weed and disease management.

He has extensive experience engaging landholders, industry, and the community through workshops and events, has a clear understanding of biosecurity threats in Queensland and promotes a shared responsibility in managing biosecurity risks.

As a Biosecurity Ambassador, he will foster partnerships across government and community sectors, advocating for protecting Queensland’s environment and industries.

Regulatory Affairs Coordinator, Censeo Field and Lab

Dr Kathryn Dawson is a highly qualified agricultural and animal scientist with a passion for protecting Queensland’s ecosystems and agricultural industries. With a PhD, Bachelor of Science (Honours), and Bachelor of Equine Science, she combines academic expertise with practical experience in her role as a Regulatory Affairs Coordinator for Censeo Field and Lab, and uses education and storytelling to make biosecurity relatable and actionable.

Kathryn’s career spans animal health, agricultural research, and insect biocontrol, with a commitment to integrating research into practical solutions for animals, crops, horticulture, and pest management. As the current Chair of Q-Goat, she has supported initiatives to strengthen Queensland’s goat industry. As a Biosecurity Ambassador, she is dedicated to empowering communities to protect Queensland’s environment and agricultural industries.

Co-Owner of Lisle Holdings

Kristie is a skilled and passionate cattle producer from Central Queensland with expertise in sustainable livestock management. She co-owns a cattle property that focuses on implementing best practices in grazing, pasture improvement, and resource management.

A graduate of the Advancing Beef Leaders Program, Kristie is committed to strengthening the future of the beef industry through leadership, collaboration, and producer engagement. A confident public speaker, she has shared her expertise on topics including drought preparedness, climate resilience, and biosecurity at national events.

With strong networks, hands-on experience, and a dedication to collaboration with industry, she is well-positioned to contribute as a Biosecurity Ambassador.

Darumbal Land and Sea Senior Ranger

Roeina Edmund is a proud Darumbal woman and senior ranger for Darumbal Land and Sea Country. She combines cultural knowledge with Western science to protect Queensland’s natural environment. Roeina is an expert in invasive species, fire, and weed management.

She works on environmental impact initiatives, water quality monitoring and biosecurity advocacy and was recently ranked as the '2026 Senior Ranger of the Year' with Queensland Indigenous Women Ranger Network.

She is passionate about community engagement, raising awareness of biosecurity through education and collaboration with schools, elders and local groups.  As a Biosecurity Ambassador, she is committed to empowering communities to safeguard Queensland’s ecosystems for future generations.

General Manager, The Company One

Ryan is the General Manager of The Company One, a leading private aquaculture company specialising in tropical marine finfish breeding. With over 20 years of experience in biosecurity, environmental management, and aquaculture production, he brings extensive expertise to the industry.

Having spent part of his formative years on his family’s cane farm in Cairns, Ryan has a strong foundation in both the agricultural and marine sectors. In his current role, he is responsible for developing and implementing biosecurity plans, and managing critical risks like Nodavirus, which is endemic to our waters and capable of causing mass mortality events.

Passionate about raising awareness of biosecurity risks and their impacts, Ryan is dedicated to educating farmers and the broader community, particularly those new to biosecurity practices, to help safeguard Queensland’s aquaculture and agricultural sectors.

Entomology student, The University of Queensland

Samuel is an Honours student in entomology at The University of Queensland, specialising in invasive insect species like beetles. With a strong background in zoology and biosecurity threats, he uses digital platforms like iNaturalist to promote citizen science and encourage public reporting of suspect species.

Samuel’s innovative digital engagement and enthusiasm for entomology make him a valuable addition to the Ambassador Program. With a solid understanding of biosecurity threats gained through his studies, he recognises the critical importance of early detection and prevention.

As a Biosecurity Ambassador, he is eager to expand his expertise and contribute to the protection of Queensland’s ecosystems from invasive species.

Graduate—Master of Animal Science, The University of Queensland

Sophia is an enthusiastic and highly engaging early-career professional who recently completed a Master of Animal Science degree at The University of Queensland, with extensive experience in biosecurity outreach and education.

Sophia is passionate about simplifying complex concepts to make them relatable for non-agricultural audiences, particularly younger generations and families, using clear messaging to inspire action and awareness. Through her work in schools, on social media, and at community events, Sophia has demonstrated exceptional communication skills and a talent for connecting with diverse audiences.

As a Biosecurity Ambassador, she is excited to continue empowering communities to protect Queensland’s environment and agricultural industries for future generations.

Councillor, Goondiwindi Regional Council

Susie Kelly is a councillor with Goondiwindi Regional Council, with rural services and biosecurity within her portfolio. Raised on the land and with practical agricultural experience, she understands the challenges of weeds, pests, animal diseases and cross-border biosecurity.

A passionate advocate for proactive prevention and biosecurity as a shared responsibility, Susie brings a passion for raising awareness and encouraging early action, leveraging her Queensland networks. Her diverse background in public relations, teaching, economic development and commodity marketing with leadership roles in disaster management makes her a valuable Biosecurity Ambassador.

Plant Health Research Scientist, CSIRO

Dr Tracey Steinrucken is a highly experienced plant health research scientist with over 15 years of expertise in plant health, pest and disease management and environmental biosecurity.

Her work focuses on raising biosecurity awareness across sectors, bridging environmental biosecurity with on-farm practices, and promoting a culture of shared responsibility.

As a Biosecurity Ambassador, Tracey is committed to promoting awareness and driving collaborative efforts to protect Queensland’s unique ecosystems and agricultural industries.

Invasive animal officer, Gold Coast City Council

At the Gold Coast City Council, Andrew works with a broader team that deals with invasive plants, red imported fire ants and vectors for disease.

Andrew has a wealth of experience in on-the-ground management. He has a profound understanding of the impacts of restricted and prohibited matter as outlined in the Biosecurity Act 2014, along with effective mitigation and management strategies. He cultivates relationships with a diverse array of stakeholders, including executives, public servants, the on-ground workforce, landholders and the broader community.

He has been involved in emergency responses, such as the white spot disease outbreak, and red imported fire ant management, providing invaluable operational experience. Andrew has also contributed his expertise to executive boards, working groups and forums, offering both on-ground insight and strategic direction.

Director and business manager, Price Cattle Company

Brigid is a rural and regional advocate, experienced in managing multigenerational family businesses with a broad network across industry, government and community. She champions strict biosecurity measures and emphasises the importance of risk mitigation with a best-practice approach.

As the 2022 Farm Biosecurity Producer of the Year award recipient, Brigid was recognised for leading the way in farm biosecurity, innovation, technology, record keeping, environmental sustainability and business transparency.

As a graduate of the Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program and Cohort 28 of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, Brigid supports individuals to thrive while recognising the need to ensure growth and viability within operating environments and communities.

Brigid is the Deputy Chair of the Dawson Catchment Co-ordinating Association and Queensland Chair of the 2026 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists committee and advocates for collaborative solutions and effective communication with stakeholders, particularly farmers. She is also on the Maranoa Regional Council’s Biosecurity Advisory Committee that was established in May 2025.

Brigid’s practical approach to biosecurity, combined with her industry experience, positions her as a strong ambassador.

Component Chief Executive Officer, Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board

Craig is a highly accomplished professional with extensive experience in biosecurity and Natural Resource Management (NRM). With a career spanning 28 years in various roles at local, state and national levels, he has demonstrated success in implementing and leading initiatives in biosecurity and NRM, resulting in positive on-ground outcomes.

Craig has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Darling Downs-Moreton Rabbit Board and holds positions as Deputy Chair and Non-executive Director at Queensland Water and Land Carers (QWaLC). He has a strong background in stakeholder engagement and has broad networks across government, industry and community sectors. His involvement with the QWaLC Board provides direct communication channels to over 500 community groups and 40,000 volunteers.

Craig also manages a farming operation with his family on the Granite Belt, focusing on fat lamb production, and actively contributes to the Granite Belt community through membership in various community groups. He has served as a past president and current member of the executive committee of Invasive Species Queensland for more than 10 years.

Component Director, Seed Savers Foundation. Freelance curator, writer and broadcaster

Jerry is a multifaceted individual with a diverse range of roles and accomplishments. He serves as the Director of the Seed Savers Foundation and is the Founder of Bellis, an award-winning sustainable house and garden in Brisbane. He is also the Patron of Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment (HOPE) Incorporated, Australia. Additionally, Jerry works as a freelance curator, writer and broadcaster, contributing to various media platforms.

As an internationally renowned horticulturist and advocate for sustainability and organic best practices, Jerry brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his endeavours. His involvement in biosecurity response and preparedness, coupled with his ability to engage diverse audiences, makes him a valuable advocate for biosecurity programs.

Jerry's commitment to the ambassador role includes actively sharing advice and knowledge with his large following on social media and websites, as well as through talkback radio and presentations to garden clubs and conservation societies. He also contributes to ABC TV's Gardening Australia program, discussing topics such as controlling diseases of bananas, domestic quarantine and red imported fire ants.

Executive officer, Friends of Parks Queensland

In her role as the Executive Officer of Friends of Parks Queensland (FoPQ), Jessica leads extensive community engagement efforts focused on environmental issues. She works to grow the number of on-ground volunteers to improve biosecurity responses in Queensland's national parks.

FoPQ is an ACNC-registered charity that supports conservation volunteers across Queensland's protected areas, with most working on the removal of invasive species.

Jessica is deeply committed to community engagement, demonstrated through leading grassroots movements to raise awareness of environmental issues and providing avenues for community action. Additionally, she dedicates significant volunteer hours each year to combatting biosecurity challenges and contributing to environmental projects. This includes serving as secretary for a threatened species organisation and participating in on-ground efforts to combat weeds.

Animal health and welfare advisor, Australian Agricultural Company

During her 3 years at the Australian Agricultural Company, Julia has cultivated a passion for the cattle industry and a dedication to ongoing learning. Her expertise centres on animal health and welfare, complemented by adept skills in coordinating training events, effective communication and fostering teamwork. Within her current role, Julia has prioritised biosecurity, working closely with managers, peak industry bodies and government to deliver training and awareness.

Participation in the NT Future Leaders Program in 2023 provided valuable industry insights through tours, including an immersive experience in Indonesia. This exposure underscored the significance of effective processes and collaboration in disease outbreak management. Julia believes that such initiatives can enhance awareness of good biosecurity practices, offering invaluable training and collaboration opportunities for passionate young individuals.

Recognised for her strong communication and presentation abilities, Julia has contributed to panel discussions at Rabobank events, presented at a business women's event in Darwin and engaged audiences through ABC radio. Her confidence in presenting to diverse audiences and enthusiasm for teaching and training others reflects her commitment to making a tangible difference in the agricultural industry through the ambassador program.

Senior lecturer of horticulture and crop entomology, The University of Queensland

As a senior lecturer at The University of Queensland (UQ), Kayvan’s research focuses on:

• invasive pest surveillance
• novel management strategies
• metagenomic surveys of emerging plant viruses.

Kayvan was engaged in research projects in the Pacific Islands, training biosecurity officers in emerging pest identification and implementing surveillance strategies aligning with international biosecurity efforts.

His collaboration with stakeholders such as growers, industry bodies and government agencies has been instrumental in advocating for and implementing biosecurity measures in Queensland. He is committed to educating students on biosecurity principles at the university level—shaping future industry leaders.

Kayvan believes that being an ambassador presents an opportunity to integrate biosecurity into his communication efforts within UQ and wider communities, further strengthening biosecurity awareness and preparedness.

Senior researcher and lecturer in aquatic animal health

With over 5 years of experience in the NATA-accredited AquaPATH Detection Lab (James Cook University), Phoebe has acquired profound technical expertise in aquatic disease and biosecurity principles. Her engagement with community and industry through workshops, conferences and fieldwork has been extensive.

Phoebe has collaborated with farms to devise and implement enterprise-level biosecurity plans and responses. Her research focus is on enhancing pathogen detection capabilities for the Queensland aquaculture industry.

She has a strong technical background and established industry relationships that equip her well for this role, providing practical insights and emphasising the importance of robust biosecurity systems. Phoebe regularly presents at scientific and industry gatherings, engaging with diverse audiences effectively. Recognised as an emerging leader, she has received awards such as the Crawford Fund and the Australian Science and Innovation Awards.

Component Environmental operations manager, Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals Incorporated

Trevor has dedicated himself to varied natural resource management and environmental roles in Cape York for more than 30 years. His indigenous cultural knowledge and ground-level experience in biosecurity efforts bring a unique perspective to the ambassador program.

He emphasises the importance of community engagement and practical solutions to address biosecurity challenges. Trevor's work with Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals Incorporated based at Cape York, is focused on culturally strategic biosecurity and changing people's behaviour to actively participate in biosecurity. His proposed communication strategies include case studies and face-to-face engagement. He believes modern science and ancient traditional knowledge can be used together to address biosecurity issues now and into the future.

Trevor's advocacy for indigenous voices and hands-on experience made him an invaluable ambassador.