Management Committee
Office bearers
A global traveller, Liila has presented on climate change, global futures and social activism in Europe, the UK, the United States, the Philippines and Australia. Liila is passionate about transformative socio-economics, believing that community, economy and environment are inextricably linked. She has trained with Al Gore as a climate change presenter and is a founder of Future Tasmania and the Women's Leadership Coalition. A graduate of the Tasmanian Leaders Program, Liila works as a Hobart-based Naturopath.
Kiros Hiruy immigrated to Australia with his family in 2006. Prior to his arrival he has worked with NGOs and learning institutions in Africa in different capacities. Kiros is a graduate of Tasmanian Leaders Program (TLP) 2007 and passionate about Tasmania. Although his training and background is mainly in natural sciences (Animal Science and Environmental Management), he has been extensively involved in community development projects that are aimed at enabling communities to plan and implement their own development. Kiros is currently undertaking a PhD to enable him better understand how social empowerment is organised and whether bottom-up driven social empowerment generates values that transform communities for the better.
Bridget Hiller is a 7th generation Tasmanian. She grew up on the North-west coast and now lives on 50 acres south of Hobart. After a varied career including banking, newspapers, IT and marketing, Bridget has most recently been working for the State Government in roles which include managing grant programs for community development. Bridget is excited about the possibilities for Tasmania as we have such a unique island populated by many inspiring people.
Tristan is currently a project manager for the Strategy and Innovation Division, Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts (DEDTA). She holds a Bach. of Applied Sci. (Fisheries), Grad. Dip. Sci. (Info Sys), a Bach. of Info. Sys. (Honours) and a PhD with the School of Geography and Environmental Science, UTas. Her work has involved studying industry supply chains and regional communities, and the significance of relationships, networks, information and knowledge exchange (elements of social capital) in effecting the overall competitiveness and sustainability of these important elements of Tasmania’s economy.
While at DEDTA Tristan was instrumental in establishing the Tasmanian Social Capital Network (now administered by Future Tasmania) to promote information and knowledge exchange in the Tasmanian community on applied social capital themes. Now as the Social Capital Network Officer with Future Tasmania Tristan is delighted to be able to continue her work and interest around social capital themes for the benefit of Tasmania’s industry and regional communities.
Committee members
Maree Fudge is a Director of Tasmanian consulting firm, Rural Development Services, and a consultant specialising in research, program and organisational development in not-for-profit community services organisations, and community engagement and people development within primary industry. She has over ten years’ experience in management, leadership and governance roles within the community sector.
Maree’s passion is for supporting positive change through working with people at community, enterprise and individual levels. She is inspired by the opportunities created by the social, community, economic and environmental imperatives of sustainability and brings a community development and social engagement perspective to changes towards sustainability.
Tom Lewis is a passionate Tasmanian: being born and bred in the North West, schooled in the North, employed in the East and currently living in the South. Tom has been a principal of a rural-based industry and community development company based in Hobart and Launceston (ruraldevelopmentservices.com) since 2005.
Tom believes that Tasmania can and should develop an international reputation as a leader in sustainable agri-food production and distribution.
Rob Blakers moved to Hobart in 1980 after the completion of a biological science degree at the ANU in Canberra, finding work with Tasmanian NGOs on a range of environmental issues. Since 1985. Rob has worked as a photographer specializing in Tasmanian landscapes and nature conservation.
Phil is Principal Consultant - Climate Change for the professional services firm, pitt&sherry, based in Hobart. He has been engaged in climate change policy development and administration for over 20 years.
Phil is recognised in Australia and internationally as an expert in climate change mitigation, renewable energy and energy efficiency. He has served as a member of the UNFCCC’s Annex 1 Group of Experts on Climate Change and is currently Chair of the Australian Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. He holds degrees in Arts and Applied Economics.
Dr Frank Nicklason has been a member of Future Tasmania since its inception. From farming stock he grew up in the far North East of Tasmania. He is a Staff Specialist Physician at the Royal Hobart Hospital were he has worked since 1995. He is Chairman of the Medical Staff Association and was voted Supervisor of the Year in 2004 by resident doctors. Frank was also a founding member of the community group Doctors for Forests.
He believes that challenges posed by population ageing, climate change, peak oil, natural resource depletion and biodiversity loss will require all the ingenuity and creativity that humankind is famous for as well as unprecedented goodwill, foresight and co-operation. By nature Frank is a cautious optimist and believes that community groundswell is the best way to influence politicians and decision makers.
Phillip has a deep knowledge and understanding of agricultural and family business. He has over 25 years practical experience leading and working in the industry from a local to an international level. Phillip works as a Facilitator, with a passion for helping to develop new ideas and thinking; his focus is helping families and business explore fresh perspectives, balancing them with what has gone before, to produce creative win-win outcomes.
Peter Wallhead is a small business owner and entrepreneur based in Hobart, Tasmania. Peter managers a web design business, Wallhead Multimedia, which sponsors a number of organisations across Australia, including Future Tasmania. He also sponsors and presents an annual innovation award at Woodbridge High School to a student whom has gained exceptional achievement in a science and/or technology related project.
Peter is always on the look out for new technologies and inventions to invest in that enhance people's learning and understanding of the modern world.
