Team Leader

Denise Mitchell

Real Estate Agent Director

A committed and long-term Rotary member: Denise is a member and past President of the Cairns Mulgrave Rotary Club and is the Team Leader of the German GSE Team 2002.

Director of the real estate firm Richardson Wrench in Cairns, Denise has worked in the industry for 14 years and her experience is passed onto people entering the industry through her course in "real estate skills"; presented on behalf of the Real Estate Institute of Queensland.

With husband Bruce, Denise's spare time involves competitive squash, watching basketball, walking and family gathering with their two adult children Kate and Scott.

Through Rotary, Denis is involved in various community projects and fund raising ventures.

John Twomey

Metallurgist

Residing in western Queensland in the mining township of Mt Isa, John is a Process Metallurgist with Mt Isa Mines. His main responsibility is to provide technical and non-technical advice to production personnel at the mine's Copper Concentrator.

Graduating from Queensland University with an Honours degree in Minerals Process Engineering in 1997, John returned to work for the Mines in the Lead and Copper Smelters.

With his wife Deborah, 25 year old John enjoys spending time fishing and camping and is currently president of the Mt Isa Apex Club and Chairman of the Education Sub-Committee for the North West Branch of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Lana Lopatich

Environment Project Officer

Born in Brisbane Queensland, 32 year old Lana, the middle child of three girl, resides in Cairns Far North Queensland and works in protected area management.

As a Project Officer for the Wet Tropics Management Authority, the state agency responsible for managing the rainforests of the Wet Tropics, key aspects of Lana's role are community liaison, project management and community education.

A graduate in Landscape Architecture and Town Planning from Queensland University, Lana operates a small business in garden design and enjoys drawing, graphic design, bush walking, diving lead lighting , caring for native wildlife and socialising.

Rachael Wicks

Resource Development Officer

Born in the remote township of Mt Isa in western Queensland into a family of to girls, Rachel now resides in tropical Cairns, Far North Queensland with her partner Josh and Blue-heeler dog Zaac.

With studies in public relations, journalism and environmental science, Rachel works in community capacity building and development as a Resource Development Officer with community based natural resource management and environmental groups.

Rachel is a keen horse rider, having worked as a jillaroo and competing in dressage, cares for native wildlife and enjoys camping, bush working, mosaicing and experiencing new culinary delights.

Darren Rees

Deputy Principal

As Deputy Principal at Bentley Park College, a public school that caters for 2000 students from Pre-School to year 12, Darren's major area of responsibility is behaviour management and pastoral care of students aged 12 to 17 years.

Graduating Melbourne University with a Diploma of Primary Teaching and a Bachelor of education, Darren completed further studies in Special Education and Educational Administration.

Vocationally, Darren has been Head of Special Education services implementing programs for students with Autism, Intellectual Impairment and Challenging Behaviours, taught in regular primary and secondary schools, lectured in teacher training and taught overseas (Brazil and Vietnam) with Australian Volunteers Abroad.

Thirty-eight year old Darren lives with partner Drew on the cairns northern beaches. He enjoys snorkeling, walking his dog along the beach, gardening and traveling overseas.

Rachel Small

Cultural and Resource Team Leader

Rachel graduated Griffith University in Australian Environmental studies and is now employed in local government by the Cairns City Council as Team Leader for Natural and Cultural Resource Management.

This department includes the Pest Management Unit, responsible for eradicating exotic animals and weeks and assists in crocodile management, and the Revegetation Unit, focused on repairing degraded waterways and linking habitat areas through tree planting activities.

Residing in Cairns since 1996, Rachel was raised on the family's cattle property in northern New South Wales where her parents still reside.

Enjoying the outdoor lifestyle, Rachel is and avid bush walker, camper, snow skier, water skier, hoarse and motorbike rider and has participated in many world class outrigger paddling competitions.