New Board appointments for Zoos Victoria

July 10, 2021

The Victorian Government has announced the Board members who will oversee the important species conservation, protection and education work of Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo.

The new Board will oversee the delivery of the $84 million redevelopment at Werribee Open Range Zoo, transforming the skyline with a tree top Sky Safari gondola and ensuring the site becomes Australia’s leading open-range zoo.

They will also lead conservation efforts dedicated to fighting wildlife extinction and continue to support wildlife rehabilitation and recovery efforts following natural disasters like bushfires.

The Board will be chaired by Rebecca McKenzie, who is currently the Chief Executive at the City of Glen Eira Council and has already served one term on the Board.

McKenzie brings extensive expertise in local government and the public sector, with a focus on organisation development and major project delivery.

Tony Hallam has been appointed Deputy Chairperson and is a highly experienced executive in a wide variety of business and sporting organisations.

Greg Smith has been reappointed together with new members: Professor Anna Meredith, Dr Jennifer Beer, Marsha Thomson, Dr Teresa De Fazio and Vijaya Vaidyanath.

The Board members bring extensive expertise in a range of important areas, including of business and financial management, community relations, education, tourism, major project delivery, nature conservation and animal research, public sector governance, veterinary science and zoology.

The terms of appointment for members will be staggered enabling continuity of existing expertise and experience.

The appointments continue to deliver on the Government’s goal of achieving 50 per cent female representation on Boards with six women appointed to the Board.

Three of the proposed appointees have a culturally and linguistically diverse background and one member is Aboriginal, ensuring diverse perspectives are considered.

Commenting on the appointments, Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio stated “the variety of experience and backgrounds the Board members have will provide invaluable leadership for Zoos Victoria.”

Image: Rhinceros at Werribee Open Range Zoo.

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19th March 2021 - Conservation organisations fund Zoos Victoria’s support of critically endangered Mountain Pygmy-possums

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3rd March 2021 - Melbourne Zoo installs QR technology for visitors to access information and virtual zookeeper talks

8th January 2021 - Rebranded Victorian wildlife attraction now operational after COVID-19 delays

7th January 2021 - Zoo and Aquariums Association provides updates on facility updates and upgrades in 2020

4th November 2020 - New $84 million elephant sanctuary to be developed at Victoria’s Werribee Zoo

30th September 2020 - Zoos Victoria and RSPCA Victoria collaborate to build new koala hospital

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3rd February 2020 - Melbourne Zoo celebrates birth of rare snow leopard cubs

15th July 2019 - Melbourne Zoo innovations keep animals warm through winter

30th April 2019 - Zoos Victoria ban all single-use plastics

20th March 2019 - Zoos Victoria raises awareness of herbivore oral health care

8th March 2019 - Zoos Victoria responds to record number of marine wildlife callouts

13th February 2019 - Healesville Sanctuary staff and volunteers mark the tenth anniversary of the Black Saturday bushfires

19th January 2019 - New African experience comes to Werribee Open Range Zoo

25th May 2018 - African wildlife education brought to life at Werribee Open Range Zoo

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