Meet the Team - Our Committee

  • Woman holding a white and black bird outside near a blue fence.

    Cathy Gilmore

    Chair

    Since 1992, I’ve been rescuing pelicans, seabirds, and marine turtles, training countless individuals along the way. In 2022, I founded MWRCC after closing the ASR branch I launched in 2005. My passion for the ocean and its creatures drives me.

  • A woman with blonde hair, wearing gold hoop earrings, a gold necklace, and a black and white patterned shirt, stands next to a tree with green leaves and a white picket fence in the background.

    Sharon Smedley

    Treasurer

    Originally a reptile rehabber with a soft spot for the humble blue tongue lizard, I am in my third year as Treasurer. I also help with fundraising as our precious marine wildlife need veterinary care, housing, medications, feeding etc.

  • Person holding a large plush pelican near a body of water, with cloudy skies and trees in the background.

    Jessie Fancett

    Secretary

    I was the kid who brought home stray and injured animals that needed TLC, now I’m an adult doing the same. I couldn’t imagine life without MWRCC, joining up was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

  • A woman wearing sunglasses, a black visor, and a white t-shirt with the MWRC logo, sitting on the sand at the beach, holding a white egg or shell, smiling at the camera.

    Michelle Proudfoot

    Committee Member

    I’ve not regretted the random decision to join MWRCC, having never touched a bird, let alone a seabird.  Now I have rescued numerous birds, including penguins and pelicans. My greatest experience so far is being involved in a successful Loggerhead turtle nest.

  • Older woman with short white hair wearing sunglasses and a black jacket, smiling outdoors with blue sky and metal structure in the background.

    Brenda Campbell

    Committee Member

    With a lifelong love of the ocean and animals I’ve found the perfect match with MWRCC. I love being able to actively help the marine wildlife recover from injuries and get back to where they are supposed to be.

  • A woman wearing sunglasses and a white T-shirt taking a selfie with a pelican on her shoulder during a sunny outdoor event, with other people and trees in the background.

    Michelle Croft

    Committee Member

    I started working at The Entrance Town Centre Management in 1997, which included helping with the Pelican Feed—having never held a bird before. Now, I’m leading bookable experiences, balancing my work in aged care, and serving as MC for MWRCC, sharing my passion with the community.

  • A man holding a large stuffed pelican toy and a real pelican near a body of water on a sunny day.

    Rob Olive

    Committee Member

    Ocean lover & avid scuba diver. For 7+ years, I’ve rescued & rehabilitated seabirds and sea turtles, giving many a second chance at life. Passionate about marine conservation and protecting our underwater world.

  • A man wearing sunglasses, a black hat with a skull and crossbones pin, and a blue shirt by the rocky shoreline with the ocean and clouds in the background.

    Ronny Ling

    Public Officer

    With several decades of experience, I am a dedicated specialist in marine mammal conservation, boasting a rich history of involvement in various organizations focused on conservation and research, and having responded to numerous marine mammal incidents locally, nationally, and internationally.

Meet the Team - Our Most Dedicated Volunteers

  • An elderly woman and a younger man are holding a large pelican together on a wooden dock by the water, smiling at the camera, with trees and parked cars in the background on a sunny day.

    Wendy

    I love Pelicans and joined The Pelican Feed at The Entrance in 2001 helping rescue them until Covid stopped it in 2020, I then joined MWRCC to help with Pelican Time performing rescues and I'm also the Rescue Phone operator.

  • A man with glasses and a beard wearing a black T-shirt and blue shorts holding a turtle indoors with large windows and plants in the background.

    Michael

    I love volunteering with seabirds and marine life—it’s my way of giving back and protecting vulnerable species. Helping them recover is incredibly rewarding, and nothing beats the joy of watching them return to the wild where they belong.

  • A woman smiling and holding a magazine inside a store with fishing supplies. She is wearing a navy blue polo shirt with a logo, and there are fishing rods and other accessories in the background.

    Toni

    Toni and Terry fell in love with the Central Coast’s pelicans after buying The Entrance Boat Shed in 2017. Now, they help protect these iconic birds - Toni’s gone from fearing their beaks to having her whole arm swallowed (willingly!).

  • Woman in sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat hugging a large pelican outdoors near a body of water on a sunny day.

    Donnay

    I love words, books, and birds - it only took 20 years in media for me to decide to pivot to getting hands-on with caring for our wildlife and natural environment. Will pull over for Yellow-tailed black cockies!

  • Woman holding a large shark jaw bone frame with teeth, smiling happily.

    Lara

    As a science and marine studies teacher, I spend weekends and holidays volunteering as an SLSA surf lifesaver and wildlife rescuer. I love educating others, rescuing marine animals, and helping protect and conserve marine life along our coastline.

  • A smiling woman with long, curly gray hair, wearing a white T-shirt and a blue scarf.

    Roberta

    I have had a lifetime love affair with our ocean, estuaries and coasts. As a marine ecologist and conservationist, I have spent over 30 years working to look after the health of our ocean, estuaries, rivers and all the plants and animals that call these ecosystems home.

  • Two people on a boat in turquoise water, wearing wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses, enjoying a sunny day near a coastline with green hills and a sandy beach.

    Silke & Paul

    Divers, explorers, photographers & seasoned wildlife rescuers We often spend our time assisting seabird scientists in the field around Australia, embracing a scientific approach to MWRCC and create awareness through powerful images and education