About AIAM - The AIAM Committee

Dick Murray

President
Western Suburbs Vet Clinic KIRWAN QLD 4817
Dick Murray is a North Queensland veterinary practitioner who has had a deep interest in and commitment to animal management for most of his professional career. For his work, in concert with many remarkable people in this field, he has been recognised in his being awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia and the Gilruth Prize of the Australian Veterinary Association.

Geoff Irwin

Vice President
Gold Coast City Council, Gold Coast MC 9729

Elke Tapley

Secretary
Coordinator Local Laws and Traffic, Knox City Council
Elke has been in this role for two years. The role covers Animal Management, Local Law compliance, School Crossing Supervision and Traffic Management. Her experience in Local Government spans over 10 years and includes the on-road roles of Municipal Laws Officer and Municipal Laws Project Officer with Nillumbik Shire Council. Elke's  background has been customer service focused, working in health insurance, a bank (which bank?), and running her own video library (pre-paid tv - got out at just the right time!).  Elke has an Advanced Diploma in Business Management, Diploma in Business, Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training and am finishing a Diploma in Business (Human Resources). Her involvement in committees also include the Domestic Animal Management Implementation Committee (DAMIC), LGPro Statutory Services SIG, Melbourne Metropolitan Council Animal Management group (MetCAM). She was a member of the UAM/AVA AMO Team of the Year in 2001.

Rick Walduck

Treasurer
Trovan Microchips, Keysborough Vic 3173
Dr Rick Walduck is a veterinarian having been in practice for 30 years and developed a keen interest in a range of issues broader than veterinary practice. He was a founding Director of Animal Emergency Ctr ( Melbourne ), Delta Society (Melbourne). He has been a member of Animal Ethics committees including Howard Florey, MUVS and Psychology(Monash). He developed an active interest and been involved with Animal Management issues since the late 70’s, initially assisting in developing via the AVA legislation in Vic, progressing through member of the executive of UAM, to current executive position as treasurer of AIAM Inc.

Peter Chandler

Regulatory Services Manager, City of Palmerston, Palmerston NT O830
I worked with dogs as a Police Dog Handler for the Royal Australian Air Force. After 9 years of military service I went into business. In 1996 I commenced work with the Darwin City Council (DCC) as a Regulatory Services Officer before being promoted to Animal Management Supervisor. In 2000 I left DCC to take up a position as a project officer with the Australian Bureau of Statistics, working to improve Indigenous health statistics and human resources before taking on the position as Operations Manger with the Defence Housing Authority. In mid 2004 I moved back into local government and took up the position of Regulatory Services Manager for the City of Palmerston. Today I lead a team of 6 Regulatory Officers and I am involved in eleven different committees. I am a Justice of the Peace training to sit on the bench in the JP’s Court I have three wonderful children and have been married for 17 years.

Malcolm Scheele

Senior Local Law Officer, Manningham City Council, Doncaster Vic 3108
I have been employed with the Manningham City Council as an Animal Management officer for 15 years. I am currently contracted with the Warner Institute of Business to train AMO's in Cert IV Animal Control and Regulation. I am the chairman for Melbourne Metropolitan Council Animal Management group (METCAM) and the industry representative on the Animal Care and Management Standing Committee addressing training issues throughout the state of Victoria.

Chris Button

Manager, Public Health & Safety, City of Onkaparinga, Noarlunga Centre SA 5048
Chris has a background and qualifications in Human Resource Management. He has worked in Local Government for the past 13 years. With eight years experience managing Animal Managements Officers, Chris is currently employed as Manager Public Health and Safety at the City of Onkaparinga. This position entails the management of the General Inspectorate, Environmental Health, and Emergency Management functions of the largest Council in South Australia. In addition to the operational aspects of this position, Chris is currently focusing on performance measurement and the utilisation of technology by within the regulatory environment.

Sharleen Jordan

Lecturer, Local Govt/Animal Studies and rep for WARACY O'Connor College Of Tafe, Northam WA 6401
I have a double major science degree from Murdoch University (WA) in Biology and Environmental Science as well as a Teaching degree, also from Murdoch. I have been working for CY O'Connor for 12 years and I am an ASL2 (Advanced Skills Lecturer level 2 - the highest position possible for a lecturer besides Principal). I have been a member elected member of the WA Rangers Association committee for about 5 years. I deliver a wide range of both Nationally Accredited and customised training to all facets of Local Government from Law to Animal Management and Behaviour and even Reptile Handling. I have an extensive network within Local Government and other agencies as well as having been exposed to a variety of councils, communities and the issues and challenges faced.

Steve Larsen

Pittwater Council, New South Wales

Selina Neill

Senior Ranger, Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service, Mackay

Selina has worked in the animal management industry for the past eleven years. At the Gold Coast City Council she commenced as a field officer before progressing to public awareness and team leader roles, and later becoming Supervisor Animal Management. Selina was Team Leader of the 2002 UAM Animal Management Team of the Year and in 2004 she was awarded UAM Animal Management Officer of the Year.

In 2008 a family move to Mackay necessitated a career change and she now works as Senior Ranger for the Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service. Selina holds several qualifications, most recently attaining a Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Leadership.

Margaret Gaal

Bathurst City Council, New South Wales

Kester Nolder

City Inspector, Glenorchy City Council, Tasmania

Deborah Kelly

Ex Officio Committee
Manager, Animal Welfare, Dept Environ & Heritage SA 5000

Deb completed a Bachelor of Science at Flinders in biochemistry and physiology. Worked as a clinical biochemist in Victoria for a while then went and did a Bachelor of veterinary Science and a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery at Murdoch.After working as a veterinarian in practice in WA she got a job as a TAFE lecturer in vet and applied science and completed a Post grad Dip Ed in adult education while at the TAFE. She is currently managing the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Dog and Cat Management Act and has done so for a decade now while taking on other positions and roles along the way. These have varied from Manager Resource Protection, Manager Public Communications, Ministerial Liaison Officer and Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief Executive. Deb's current role is Manager Animal Welfare which entails administration and reform of legislation, wildlife response in oil spills, responsible for management of pets in disasters and marine mammal responses such as cetacean strandings and entanglements. She sits on the South Australian SAMSCAP committee and is the Government observer to the RSPCA Council, a member of the zoo board and a past Vice President of the Royal Zoological Society. I am executive officer to the Dog and Cat Management Board.

Russell McMurray

Ex Officio Committee
Bureau of Animal Welfare, Attwood Vic 3049