Meet the team

Dr Joe Benshemesh

Board Chair & Lead Scientist

Joe Benshemesh has a longstanding interest in the ecology of Malleefowl. He completed a PhD on the species’ ecology in the early 1990s and has been involved in Malleefowl research and conservation for over 30 years. He is a founding and current member of the National Malleefowl Recovery Team and the author of various iterations of the National Recovery Plan for Malleefowl, as well as numerous scientific reports and publications. His main interests include the establishment of the national monitoring system run primarily by citizen scientists, and the development of the adaptive management framework for conserving the species. Beyond facilitating the monitoring and AM programs, Joe is also involved in refining LiDAR for detecting mounds, camera-trap monitoring of predators and competitors, and working with Indigenous traditional owners to monitor Malleefowl on their land.

Joshua Cooper

Executive Director

Josh is a citizen science and environmental project manager with over 10 years’ experience in conservation and environmental projects. With experience as an Environmental Manager with Santos GLNG in the mining industry, Environmental Scientist at private consultancies, and as a Project Manager at conservation NGOs, Josh ensures the delivery of NMRG’s projects on time and to a very high standard.

Graeme Tonkin

National Training & Database Manager

Graeme has been involved in Malleefowl conservation since the establishment of the Cowell Malleefowl monitoring site in the early 1990s and has been monitoring sites annually ever since. One of Graeme's interests is camera trapping. He set up his first camera trap on Yorke Peninsula in 2008 and then, in 2017, a live camera at the Adelaide Zoo in their Mallee exhibit where two Malleefowl were housed. Graeme is a current member of the National Malleefowl Recovery Team.

Dr Liz Kington

WA Project Manager

Liz is an experienced environmental scientist and manager, proficient in research, planning, on-ground delivery, adaptation, and strategy. She works strategically, creatively and with integrity, using leadership and teamwork while engaging community and stakeholders to deliver successful environmental programs and outcomes. Liz has over 20 years of environmental and conservation experience within Western Australia.

Cara Mac Shane

WA Wildlife Monitoring Officer

Cara is a recent graduate from the University of Western Australia, where she completed a Bachelor of Biological Science and majored in Wildlife Conservation. She is passionate about ornithology, and has experience in conducting field surveys, fauna handling and bird banding. Cara is excited to contribute to the protection of the Malleefowl, and combine her love of birds and conservation in her new position!

Jess Keem

VIC/NSW Ecologist

Jess was introduced to Malleefowl through her Masters degree, which partnered with the Victorian Malleefowl Recovery Group on the Malleefowl Adaptive Management Predator Experiment. Jess has been volunteering with the VMRG ever since. She is passionate about threatened species conservation and has over 10 years of experience handling and researching wildlife.

Ross's interest in Malleefowl goes back to his childhood on a farm in the Victorian Mallee and his family's involvement with the Mid-Murray Field Naturalists in the 1960s and 1970s. Along with his father Neil, he began monitoring Malleefowl in 1999 and has been a volunteer, committee member and safety officer with the Victorian Malleefowl Recovery Group since its inception. Ross is a strong voice for volunteers and community engagement in Malleefowl monitoring, and is currently the Chair of the National Malleefowl Recovery Team.

Bio coming soon.

Allan Harvey

General Board Member

Allan has been a citizen scientist and Malleefowl monitor for 11 years and is the current Chair of the Western Australian Malleefowl Recovery Group. He is a retired project manager with over 35 years of experience in mining and construction projects around the world.