Paul McDonald

President

Paul is a recently retired Chief Executive Officer of a mid-sized, community-owned not-for-profit (with 42 employees) delivering natural resource management services across the Murray-Darling and Bulloo Basins in Queensland. Since 2012, he has held executive roles in the not-for-profit sector, overseeing the delivery of more than $30 million in natural resource management projects and on-ground works.

Paul currently chairs the Queensland Government’s Offsets Project Management Committee. He holds a Master of Information Systems and is a registered Cadastral Surveyor in Queensland. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Queensland, recognised for his contribution to environmental and natural resource work across Southern and Southeast Queensland and the Wide Bay Burnett region.

With over 36 years in senior management and executive roles across the public and private sectors, Paul now operates a small consultancy focused on policy, collaboration, and facilitation.

Quentin Brown

vice president

Quentin is a passionate environmental advocate and lifelong Sunshine Coast local with a love for surfing, music, and the region’s natural beauty. He holds degrees in Arts, Science, Engineering, and Management, and brings deep expertise in Queensland’s planning and environmental regulatory frameworks.

With a career spanning both public and private sectors, Quentin has worked across environmental assessment, policy development, and governance. His technical experience covers ecology, water and air quality, acoustics, waste management, sustainability, ISO14001, coastal processes, and cultural heritage. He is particularly passionate about the protection of littoral ecosystems and coastal landscapes.

Quentin is committed to shaping positive environmental outcomes for future generations. His advocacy through the Save Point Cartwright campaign led to significant community and council action, including scientific studies and the development of a master plan for the area.

He actively contributes to several community groups and holds representative roles on local and state government consultative bodies. Through these roles, Quentin promotes transparent decision-making and genuine community engagement. His dedication to environmental protection and community voice saw him nominated for a 2024 Sunshine Coast Biosphere Healthy Planet Award.

Sue Etheridge

Treasurer

Sue has a lifelong connection to the Sunshine Coast. Family holidays here as a child sparked a deep love for the region, and she's called it home ever since 1982.

Sue began her career at the Commonwealth Bank as a Loans Officer in 1999, before transitioning to work from home as Accounts Manager and partial owner of a successful local business. A registered BAS Agent, she recently completed a Diploma of Accounting, allowing her to balance full-time employment with raising her two children.

Active in her community, Sue has served on several local committees, holding leadership roles as President and Treasurer. She is especially passionate about preserving the natural environment and has been SCECs Treasurer since 2012, playing a key role in supporting the organisation's financial health and sustainability. In her spare time, Sue enjoys reading, gardening, bushwalking, and adventure holidays. A standout moment for her was walking the Kokoda Track in 2008, a tribute to her late father who served there during World War II.

In her spare time, Sue enjoys reading, gardening, bushwalking, and adventure holidays. A standout moment for her was walking the Kokoda Track in 2008, a tribute to her late father who served there during World War II.

Tess Allan

Secretary

Tess is a strong advocate for Country—our home—and believes every part of it, from the land and waters to the plants, animals and people, should be respected and have a voice. She cares deeply about culture and connection, and is always learning through listening and spending time with communities, both locally and around the world.

She’s currently in the final stretch of a Sustainable Business degree, diving into areas like environmental politics, human behaviour, and sustainability, with a focus on protecting biodiversity in Queensland. Alongside her studies, Tess gets involved in hands-on work—volunteering in conservation, planting, clean-ups and community events—because she believes action matters.

Tess recognises the privilege she holds and the impact our choices have on a global scale. She’s passionate about building a future where businesses act responsibly—where people, planet and purpose are all part of the equation.

For her, it’s about sharing knowledge, listening to the community, and making sure the steps we take today support generations to come.

Sara Vancea

General member

Sara brings a diverse background in social programs for the federal government, mental health research at the Australian National University, and grassroots environmental activism. She has also worked in event management and is a talented musician and electronic music producer.

Recently relocated to the Sunshine Coast, Sara began volunteering for SCEC in late 2023, eager to contribute to the region’s environmental efforts. As a vegan since 2011, she is passionate about creating a world that is kinder to nature—encompassing the environment, people, and animals.

Sara’s broad range of experiences fuels her commitment to sustainable, compassionate practices, and she continues to work toward a future where people live more harmoniously with the planet and all its inhabitants.

Dr Judith Herbst

General member

Dr Judith Herbst is a former lecturer and sustainability researcher in the School of Management at QUT. Her expertise in sustainability extends to industry engagement projects on waste management and resource recovery, particularly through the Centre for a Waste-Free World, where she contributed to a national scoping study on ‘Building the Future Through the Circular Economy.’

A resident of the Sunshine Coast for 30 years, Judith joined SCEC’s Management Committee to actively contribute to local environmental initiatives and support the region’s long-term environmental goals. Over the years, she has forged key partnerships with Renew Australia and Zero Emissions Noosa, helping to host impactful events such as Sustainable House Day. Judith is also focused on planning events for World Environment Day in collaboration with Sunshine Coast Council and other member organisations, further driving positive environmental change for the region.

Her work remains dedicated to advancing sustainable practices and building a more resilient, eco-conscious community on the Sunshine Coast.

Katherine (Kadi) Warner

General Member

Kadi moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2017 and now lives in Mooloolah Valley, close to her daughter and grandchildren. A strong believer in “think global, act local,” she joined the Management Committee of Mooloolah River Landcare in 2019 and is excited to now be part of the Sunshine Coast Environment Council's Management Committee.

With over 40 years of experience in community-based natural resource management and conservation, Kadi’s journey began as a young Peace Corps Volunteer in Sierra Leone. Living in a community facing land degradation and poor agricultural yields during the "hunger season" sparked her lifelong interest in the causes of environmental degradation and the social and economic drivers for sustainable resource management. In recent years, her work has focused on climate risk, adaptation, and mitigation.

Kadi has held senior roles in the UN, government ministries, international conservation organisations (IUCN), and development non-profits. She’s also served on advisory committees for conservation initiatives and the Board of an international institution. Throughout her career, she has lived and worked in Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, the U.S., and the Pacific (New Zealand). Today, she continues her international consultancy work and holds a part-time appointment as an Associate Professor at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Mick Smith

General Member

Mick has over 30 years of experience in environmental management and research. He is passionate about the connection between healthy environments and healthy communities and believes in using partnerships, planning, and policy to drive positive environmental outcomes.

Mick and his wife, Jenny, have called the Sunshine Coast home for the past 20 years, where they live with their three children. Outside of work, Mick enjoys swimming, camping, and spending time with family and friends.

Sam Masters

General Member

Sam Masters is an experienced professional with a diverse background in environmental conservation, animal care, project management, and digital communications. She is passionate about community advancement, sustainability, and driving meaningful outcomes. Sam has a strong track record in stakeholder engagement, project execution, and public outreach.

Her career spans various roles, including Veterinary Nurse, Marine Mammal and Bird Specialist at Sea Life Sunshine Coast, Marketing and Communication Officer at both Brisbane City Council and Sunshine Coast Council, and Communications Project Manager at Queensland Health.

Currently pursuing a Diploma in Conservation and Ecosystem Management, Sam works in a nursery and volunteers with TurtleCare, BushCare, Friends of the Forest, and as a tour guide at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.

In her spare time, Sam enjoys running with her dogs and scuba diving along the reefs of our beautiful coastline.

Narelle McCarthy - Advocacy and Engagement Manager

Passionate about nature from a young age, Narelle holds a Diploma in Conservation and Land Management and has been actively involved in natural resource management, conservation and related fields for the past 20 plus years. Narelle undertakes and is involved in a wide range of activites, campaigns and initiatives focussed on improved environmental outcomes and the practice of sustainability and is continually inspired by the many outstanding environmental stewards and champions who make such a difference to the Sunshine Coast and the planet. 

Working with SCEC enables Narelle to fulfil her personal and professional desire to be effective in the protection of the natural values of the region (and beyond) while building on SCEC’s impressive 45 year conservation legacy.

Narelle is an Environment Sector board representative and Deputy-Chair of the SEQ Catchments Members Association and is an Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) Counciller for Queensland.