Dermot is currently the CEO of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Australia. He began his career in conservation as a Ranger with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and since 1998 has worked in various positions within the WWF organisation in the United Kingdom, Switzerland and China.

In 2005, Dermot took over as the Country Representative of WWF-China, overseeing the rapidly growing domestic and international program of conservation work.

WWF is the oldest established NGO in China, and in 2009 celebrated 30 years of working in the country.

Dermot holds a Masters in Business Administration (Honours) from IMD-Switzerland, Masters of Science from the London School of Economics and degrees from University of London and Southern Cross University.

“Australia faces challenges in protecting its environment.

As a science-based conservation organisation, WWF-Australia aims to provide solutions to some of these complex issues,” said Dermot.

Celebrating Australia Day in the Shire

When we hear the words “Australia Day” we immediately think of barbeques, fireworks, new citizens, and another public holiday.

However, at its core Australia Day is driven by people, communities and their celebrations held in the villages, towns, suburbs and cities across this great nation of ours.

It’s a celebration of what’s great about Australia and being Australian. It is also a day where we honor local residents who have made an outstanding contribution to our communities by presenting awards for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, and Event of the Year.

So this Australia Day Sunday January 26, gather the family together, call your friends and head on down to your local Australia Day celebrations and have a great Australia Day!

Crookwell 

Celebrations will begin at 8:00am with Breakfast and Morning Tea in Memorial Park, Spring Street, Crookwell. Australia Day Ambassador Address and presentation of the Australia Day awards will be included in the morning festivities as well as live music, bush poetry performances, giveaways, face painting and games, trivia contest with great local prizes. Breakfast $5/family (2 adults & 3 children) or $2 each person.

The day is made possible with the support of: Crookwell Rotary, Crookwell Lions Club, Crookwell CWA, NSW Rural Fire Brigades, The Rural Fire Service. Principal Sponsors for the day are: Crookwell IGA, Lindner Socks, Crookwell Soul Pattinson Chemist, Meat’s a Treat, TJ & AJ Kemp, Hills Butcher, and Upper Lachlan Shire Council.

Gunning

Celebrations will begin at 8:00am with Breakfast in the Park at Barbour Park, within the Meadow Creek Reserve, Gunning. The Lions Club of Gunning will be catering on the day. The Ambassador’s Address and Presentation of the Australia Day awards will be included in the morning celebrations.

Taralga 

Celebrations will begin at 9:00am in Taralga Sports Ground with the Gymkhana activities. The Australia Day Ambassador Address and Presentation of Awards is scheduled to occur at 1:00pm, followed by the Rodeo activities.

This year’s Australia Day award nominees are

Event of the Year

Haulin’ the Hume Lunch Stopover - Gunning

MBK Junior Soccer - Gunning

Citizen of the Year

Anne Picker - Crookwell

Robert “Bob” Spiller - Gunning

Karen Waters - Gunning

Doreen Hanson - Gunning

Reta Beattie - Taralga

Robyn Cummins - Taralga

Richard Kelly - Taralga

Rhonda Flack - Taralga

Beatrice Williams - Crookwell

Pamela Lees - Gunning

Jo Boyce - Gunning

Percy Bell - Gunning

Ann Darbyshire - Gunning

Helen Campbell – Crookwell

Katherine Johnson – Gunning

Ian McFaul – Crookwell

James Evans – Crookwell