Self funded and nonpolitical, the NSR Board comprises experienced individuals from across Australia to facilitate NSR nominations and management processes.
They are supported by dedicated locally based individuals who represent their Surfing Reserve and leaded either a Steering Committee or Stewardship Council.
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Brad Whittaker
Board Chair
An accomplished surfer with extensive experience in beach management, local government, education and training, Brad brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the NSR Board. Having been part of the team that proposed that Cronulla Beaches NSR, he has key insights into NSRs from a local perspective and has also dedicated over 12 years of ongoing volunteer service to NSRs. Brad has been involved in numerous capacities on a variety of global and Australian surfing projects and initiatives, that further demonstrate his commitment and service to the sport of surfing. A avid ocean photographer, Brad also shares his love of the ocean through the lens, capturing imagery of the ocean and those that ride it.
Susan Tracey
Stakeholder Engagement and Brand Innovation
Susan has over 20 years experience working in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors in the areas of public policy, communications, community engagement and placemaking, activating public land, running major events and bringing government, community and business together to build more positive communities. She has been a long serving member of the National Surfing Reserves movement and is currently the Deputy Chair.
Andrew Short
Scientific and Coastal Assessment
Andy Short is a coastal geomorphologist specializing in coastal processes, morphology and evolution. He has degrees from the University of Sydney, University of Hawaii and Louisiana State University and has worked on the coasts of North and South America, including north Alaska and Hawaii, Europe, New Zealand, Korea and the entire Australian coast. He is a co-founder and board member of National Surfing Reserves and his contributions to both coastal science and beach safety was recognised on Australia Day 2010 with an Order of Australia Medal.
Chris Tola
Regional Development
Chris grew up in Terrigal, New South Wales, and now lives in Newcastle with his Family. He has travelled globally, and has been surfing for most of his life. His passion for surfing and the environment has kept him involved in everything from being founding Board Member of National Surfing Reserves, the Australian Coastal Society, and Take 3, to University Surfing, Coastcare, Surfrider Foundation Australia, Coastalwatch, and Keep Australia Beautiful, along with being Community Representative for the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the EPA. Chris has helped out with publications like Surfing Roadies, The Atlas of World Surfing, and “Newcastle – A City by the Sea,” along with contributions to magazines and numerous websites.
Mauro Figueiredo
Global Outreach Lead
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Nathan Brennan
Indigenous Inclusion and Development
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Founder, Patrons and Friends
Brad Farmer AM
Founder and Parton
Along with being widely published in journals, magazines and newspapers Brad wrote his first book at 25, a Surfing Guide to Australia. Australia’s Best 101 Beaches was another benchmark publication examining all 11,761 Australian beaches. He regularly produces the only authoritative list of Australia’s Best Beaches, which in 2020 he introduced for the first time, inland beaches to include rivers and lakes. Brad is the founder of many not-for-profit groups and initiatives including Surfrider Foundation Australia and Ocean Care Day. In addition he was instrumental in the formation of Coastcare as a founding adviser on the Federal Marine and Coastal Community Network. He introduced World Surfing Reserves in California in 2009 modelled on his successful 1993 initiative, National Surfing Reserves
TBC
Pending
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TBC
Pending
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