THE COMMITTEE

Doug is a retired Air Force Aerospace Engineer currently working as a Deputy Programme Manager for Hensoldt Sensors GmbH (formerly Airbus Defence and Space).

His current role is to project manage a major Defence Programme to install nine permanent and two interim Air Traffic Control radar systems across Australia for the Air Force, Navy and Army.

Doug is active in the Ports Stephens community and has been a member of a number of community groups including the Nelson Bay Australia Day committee of which he has been the Chairman for 23 years.

Mary is a retired administration officer having spent many years in education management and more recently evolving into event management internationally. 

 Mary has a keen interest in local history and museums in particular, having graduated from Macquarie University with a degree in Social Science. 

 Together with her family she has been frequenting the Port Stephens area since the early 1980s and in 2018 moved to Fingal Bay. 

 Mary is a member of the Australian Museums and Galleries Association Inc, Art Gallery of New South Wales and other local historical societies as well as an inaugural member of the Tomaree Museum Association

Born and bred in Newcastle, Nelson Bay was a family Sunday picnic favourite destination for many years. Married and moved to the Bay in 1979.

Resigned from High School teaching to join my husband’s business in 1982 and am still working there.

I have three adult children that all work in the business. I am a member of several local community organisations.

Chris had a management career in corporate finance and investment planning. In the former, this involved presenting lengthy proposals to boards and, in the latter, advising boards on superannuation investment strategy.

He has also spent a lot of time pretending to be an offshore sailor. He retired early to owner-build a sustainable house and to complete an honours degree in history.

He is now a presenter and committee member at U3A, assistant secretary at TRRA and inaugural member of the TMA.

He has passions for science, renewable energy and maritime history. 

Warwick Mathieson, grew up in Sydney, married Christine and has two children, moved to Nelson Bay 1980 and had a building business until retirement 2020.

Warwick was a member of the Corlette Bushfire Brigade for 15 years rising to be captain prior to closure 1996, he was a member of New Futures at the high school for several years, joined the board of Harbourside Haven 1999 and still a member, president of Tomaree community College for the last 20 years, member of the Nelson Bay Rotary Club 28 years, president 2000/2001, founding member of the Nelson Bay Australia Day committee, 26 years and a founding member of the Tomaree Museum Association.

Working life in sea and air transport. Attended General Botha Nautical College in South Africa then went to sea in the Merchant Navy. Qualified as Captain. Left the ocean waves 1971. Worked in port and ship operations.1982 Arrived in Sydney continued in this role until 1986 then took on the role of Manager Australia and NZ for Martinair, a Dutch Airline. Remained in aviation until retirement.

Had been visiting Port Stephens for many years. After retiring in 2013, made a sea change with a move from Beecroft Sydney to Corlette in 2014

Became a friend of TMA To nurture the importance of keeping alive the rich historical heritage of this beautiful part of Australia.

Nigel moved to the bay in 2010 and found himself joining local voluntary organisations, mainly concerned with environmental advocacy, heritage and improvement of local amenity.

In a previous life he spent two decades as a newspaper journalist before moving into public relations and advertising, working in diverse fields from high technology to politics.

He has a masters degree in business and technology at UNSW, and a bachelor of arts degree and a diploma in Asian studies (Japanese) at the University of New England.

Aside from his community associations, Nigel’s passions are caravanning, music and reading (fact not fiction).

Noel was an early adopter of digital technology and has continued to hone his skills as he followed a career in the corporate world. His working life has encompassed sales and marketing roles in national and international food related companies in Australia and New Zealand.

He has coordinated corporate exhibits and worked at international trade shows throughout Australia as well as Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, China, Singapore and the USA, and been closely involved in the development of websites and digital marketing strategy to emerging web-based businesses.

He holds a Master of Management (Marketing) degree from Macquarie University.

His interests include IT, 4WD touring, aerial photography, local history and can often be found in bunkers at Horizons and Nelson Bay Golf Clubs.