New Chair takes the reigns of Nature Conservation Margaret River Region

A meeting of the Board of Nature Conservation Margaret River Region has today elected Dr John Cresswell as its new Chair. John succeeds Dr Boyd Wykes, who has chaired the environmental group for four years.

Boyd Wykes continues as a Board member, and as its Deputy Chair. Former Deputy Chair, Stuart Hicks, was elected Secretary.

Taking the reign’s today, John thanked outgoing Chair Dr Boyd Wykes for his inspirational leadership and dedication to the organisation. Dr Cresswell said, ‘I feel privileged to lead such an organisation and looked forward to the many challenges ahead. I believe that the combined talent of the Board, the staff and community membership means that the organisation is well-placed to provide a focus for nature conservation issues in the region’.

In stepping down as Chair, Boyd stated ‘after four years at the helm, I am absolutely delighted that we have achieved a smooth transition of leadership that will ensure continued focus on ensuring that the special environment of our region is sustained and nurtured. My time with Nature Conservation has been a ‘career’ highlight, irrespective of its voluntary basis. I look forward to greater capacity to participate in Nature Conservation’s citizen science programs while continuing as a member of the Board, and as it’s Deputy Chair’.

Dr John Cresswell Biography
John is a retired education researcher working most recently with the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). John completed a PhD at Curtin University in 1998 and from 2000 until 2009 managed OECD education assessment and monitoring projects both in Australia and in Paris. He moved to Margaret River in 2013.