Philip has 22 years’ experience in the Aviation Industry. He began his career in the Australian Defence Force as an Air Traffic Controller, serving for 15 years.

Peter has worked in the maritime industry for forty years, specialising in search and rescue since joining the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC Australia) in 2000.

John began his career in search and rescue in 1974 as a member of the Queensland Police, and later as a helicopter rescue crewman with Surf Lifesaving Australia and CareFlight Queensland, and a volunteer member of the Queensland State Emergency Service, New South Wales Rural Fire Brigade and Volunteer Marine Rescue Queensland. He is qualified in land, marine and aviation search and rescue management and is a Life Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Emergency Services.

Mark has extensive aviation and SAR experience having spent 22 years as a helicopter pilot and qualified Military SAR Officer with the Australian Army and as a Joint Personnel Recovery/Search and Rescue Officer within the Australian Defence Operational Headquarters.

Steve has an extensive background in the Aviation Industry, Search & Rescue Coordination and Training. His aviation career encompasses key leadership roles, including Chief Pilot, Chief Flying Instructor, and General Manager. Steve’s experience as a qualified Search & Rescue pilot, flying numerous missions in Far North Queensland, adds a practical dimension to his role as an Instructor at SAR Training Australia.

Paul is an anaesthetist, based in Brisbane. He trained as an Ambulance Paramedic and in Ambulance Rescue in Hobart, before doing his medical undergraduate training at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, and the Baragwannath Hospital in Soweto. He trained in Anaesthesia at the University of Natal and King Edward VIII Hospital in Durban and was a cardiac anaesthetist in South Africa, New Zealand and Tasmania.

Retired Senior Sergeant Jim Whitehead had been a police officer with the Queensland Police Service for 39 years, 34 of which he has been involved in Search and Rescue (SAR).

Les joined the Italian Navy in 1992 as a recruit Coast Guard Operator. Following initial training at the Warrant Officer Academy in Sardinia, he posted to the Coast Guard base of Monfalcone and embarked on a coastal patrol rescue vessel as a Bosun. Throughout his military career, he served in various surface and air Coast Guard assets, commanded the Maritime rescue Sub-Centre of Marina di Carrara and completed multiple overseas deployments.

Chris has long been driven by a passion for community service, evident in his diverse career trajectory spanning aviation, maritime, and search and rescue (SAR) coordination. His journey commenced with aviation studies during his final year of schooling in Launceston, Tasmania, which laid the groundwork for a successful aviation career. Relocating to Queensland, he pursued further qualifications, obtaining a Multi-engine Command Instrument Rating, Instructor Rating, and ultimately an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). Chris engaged in charter flying and instructional roles until 2003.

Michael served 9 years and 3 months in the RAAF as an ACO (Air Combat Officer). He trained as a Navigator and Tactical Coordinator on board two Maritime Patrol and Surveillance aircraft: the AP-3C Orion and P-8A Poseidon.

Malcolm has been at the forefront of search and rescue management since 1987, beginning his career with the Queensland Police Service (Water Police) before joining the Australian Maritime Safety Authority 2003. As a Search and Rescue Coordinator and later Senior Coordinator at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, he has overseen complex operations across land, marine and aviation environments.

Hemi Manaena is an experienced search and rescue professional with a distinguished record of service across both New Zealand and Australia. Over the past decade, he has contributed extensively to the advancement of search and rescue capability, training, and international cooperation within the Asia-Pacific region.

Kyle has over 20 years of experience in special missions aviation, beginning his career with Australian Customs Coastwatch, where he conducted aerial maritime compliance operations within the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone (AEEZ). This involved forward air support functions for maritime Defence and customs assets both in overt and covert operations. This also involved extensive work managing the Great Barrier Marine Park and the sensitive zones within ensuring illegal fishing and pollution was not occurring.