Our role in conservation is to create direct and positive connections between wildlife and people. We protect endangered species, increase understanding of wildlife and inspire community action.
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Appointed Board Members

Section 6 of the Zoological Parks Board Act 1973 stipulates the criteria under which the members are appointed. The Board met six times during the year and the number of meetings attended by each member is shown in brackets.

Mr Leonard Bleasel AM, JP FAIM FAICD (6) 

Ministerial Appointee. Chairman of the Taronga Conservation Society Australia. Mr Bleasel was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of The Australian Gas Light Company (AGL) until his retirement in February 2001.  He is also Chairman Australian Pipeline Ltd and a member of the Royal Bank of Scotland Advisory Council.  Mr Bleasel is a Director of QBE Insurance Group and O’Connell Street Associates and a member of the Advisory Committee of Westmead Children’s Hospital. 
(Term of appointment expires 30/6/13)

Mr Richard Humphry AO, FCA FAICD AFIN MACS (6)

Ministerial Appointee. Deputy Chairman and Chairman of the Finance and Capital Works Committee. Director, HSBC Australia, United Group Ltd, BUPA Australia Holdings and O’Connell Street Associates.  Former Managing Director and CEO of the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) and Director-General of the NSW Premier’s Department.  Former Auditor-General of Victoria, following 20 years experience in the Australian Federal Public Service and 13 years in the banking industry. 
(Term of appointment expires 30/6/2014)

Ms Gae Raby (5)

Ministerial Appointee. Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, member of the Finance and Capital Works Committee.  Ms Raby has extensive experience in the development and delivery of large government programs and the management of State owned enterprises.  Ms Raby has executive experience in public policy, finance and the machinery of Government, and advises agencies on governance arrangements.  Former Director of the Landcom Board.
(Term of appointment expires 30/6/13)

Councilor Gregory Matthews (3)

Representing Dubbo City Council.
(Term of appointment expires 1/11/2012)

Dr Anthony W English AM RFD, BVSc (Hons.) PhD FACVSc (6)

Ministerial Appointee.  Chair of the Wildlife Conservation, Health and Welfare Committee.  Retired and now Honorary Associate Professor in the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney and inaugural Director of the University of Sydney’s Wildlife Health and Conservation Centre.  Dr English is founder and Past President of the Australian Association of Veterinary Conservation Biologists, and Past Chairman of the World Association of Wildlife Veterinarians. He is a Fellow and Life Member of the Australian Veterinary Association and a Fellow of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists.  
(Term of appointment expires 30/06/11)

Ms Nancy Fox (5)

(Term of appointment expires 30/06/2014)

Mr Steven Crane (4)

Ministerial appointee.  Chair of the Marketing Committee. Mr Crane is a member of the Royal Bank of Scotland Advisory Council , Chairman of Global Valve Technology, Director of Transfield Services, Bank of Queensland, The Sunnyfield Association, APA Ethane Ltd and a Trustee of ARIA.
(Term of appointment expires 30/06/2013)

Councilor Anne Connon (4)

Representing Mosman Council.  Member of the Marketing and Audit and Risk Committees.  Clr Connon is currently Mayor of Mosman Council and Vice President of the Metropolitan Public Libraries of NSW. She is a retired CPA and holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) Degree. She is a volunteer at Royal North Shore Hospital.
(Term of appointment expires 01/11/2012)

Ms Catherine Strassberg (6)

Representing Zoo Friends, Sydney.  Member of the Wildlife Conservation, Health and Welfare Committee, Audit and Risk Committee, and Finance and Capital Works Committee.  Ms Strassberg has been a member of Zoo Friends since 1995 and former member of the Zoo Friends Council.  Ms Strassberg is a retired Accountant and member of the Australian Society of Certified Practicing Accountants.
(Term of appointment expires 30/6/2014)

Ms Jennifer Cowley (5)

(Term of appointment expires 30/06/2014)

Board Committees

The Board of Taronga Conservation Society Australia is supported by committees responsible for finance, marketing, wildlife conservation, health and welfare and ethical research.