About us

Convenor

Member Group represented: South Coast Environment Group

Jess has been involved in forest conservation since she joined the Giblett forest blockade near Pemberton as a teenager. She has extensive and detailed knowledge of the South West forests, their ecology, biodiversity, climatic and water interactions, flora and fauna, and the threats that they face.

Jess has a degree in Environmental Management from Murdoch University and has experience and networks across the environment movement in Australia. She believes in the power of grassroots campaigns to make changes, even where the odds are stacked firmly against us, and that with conviction, courage and compassion, solutions can be found that provide for everybody’s needs.

Secretary

Member Group represented: Albany Community Environment Centre

Giz Watson joined the Campaign to Save Native Forests in the late 70s when she became aware of the destruction of the northern jarrah forest for bauxite extraction and the planned massive expansion of this mining. She was part of the direct action campaign that occupied the construction site of the Wagerup alumina refinery near Waroona.

She has continued to campaign to the end of logging, degradation and clearing of WA’s native forests; particularly as a Greens MP in the WA Parliament and in training and in supporting activists in nonviolent actions.

Committee Member

Member Group represented: The Great Walk Network

I have been living in Witchcliffe; building a house, raising a family and teaching in the community for 33 years and walking with the Great Walk Network for 32 years. The Great Walk Network started as a protest walk from Denmark (WA) to Perth to raise awareness about the logging in old growth forests. We have continued to walk with a focus on the land on which we walk and the way we live.

I am now the Convenor of the Great Walk Network and I believe in the power of community to create positive change. I have attended many blockades over the years, the first one being the Tuart Forest in Layman’s Road, Busselton in 1988 and the most recent currently at Helms Forest near Nannup.

Committee Member

Member Group represented: Barrabup Conservation Group

I have lived in the south-west of WA for over 20 years. Watching the forest become terribly degraded over that time has been heart wrenching. All that I moved here for was disappearing.

As a horticulturalist I could see old growth being bowled over and diminished rapidly. When alerted to the plight of Barrabup 03, I felt that action needed to be taken and joined the Barrabup Action Group. The success in saving the Old Growth from logging came from knowing the forest and the years of experience WAFA gave in support.

It also led to me joining forces with WAFA to help stop native forest logging.

Committee Member

Member Group represented: Denmark Environment Centre

Geoff has been involved in the forest campaign since 1994 when he first joined the NVDA at Lockhart, Sharp, Jane, Giblett to name a few. Sharp and Jane blocks were both important successes in the overall campaign.

Then in 1996 Geoff was co-convenor of the D’Entrecasteaux Coalition and Save Lake Jasper campaign. Twenty-five years later we finally achieved the reinstatement of the excised reserve back to the D’Entrecasteaux National Park. This was a great win.

Geoff has been very involved at the Denmark Environment Centre over the years holding various positions Convenor, Deputy convenor, Secretary.

Staff

Nelson got involved with WAFA through direct action at Dalgarup and believes we have to protect every tree we have left.

Nelson went to Murdoch University (Politics) and University of Tasmania (Theatre).

Staff

Jinni Wilson has a background in anthropology and heritage tourism. She worked for five years in the Margaret River caves taking tours and megafauna workshops, and maintains a particular interest in palaeontology, cultural histories, and climate change. First involved in forest action in 1996, she is now a writer and photographer specialising in the landscapes of Western Australia and believes in fostering a sense of place through literature and the arts.

Jinni has lived all her life in the forests of the South West. She has been based in Wadandi country since 1982 and currently lives in Margaret River. She has a BSc(Hons) in Anthropology and a BA in Professional writing and publishing.

Staff

Jess Boyce brings with her experience in event management and community engagement through the arts, having worked in not-for-profit community arts centres and grassroots artist-run-initiatives. She currently also manages an annual environmental art project for young people. Jess is passionate about community engagement to drive action on conservation and climate.

Jess holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

Treasurer

Member Group represented: Conservation Council of Western Australia

Rebecca is a qualified bookkeeper and registered BAS agent who loves to use her skills to help organisations aligned with her values. She has her own bookkeeping business serving mostly the Fremantle community and is also a mum to her four year old son.

Rebecca is passionate about the conservation of our unique South West Forests and works in the background so that those working on the frontline can focus on the big issues.