Deck Program Speakers 2026

Matt Taylor

Western Rock Lobster Council

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NM-001

Nicole Moody

HUNTER ADVISORY

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Chris King

WESTERN ROCK LOBSTER COUNCIL

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Rob Taylor

Taylor Mechanical & Marine

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Kendall Whyte

BLUE TREE PROJECT

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Stephen Wheeler

WA MARITIME SAFETY AUTHORITY 

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Matt Hern

HPH Solutions

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Emma-Jade Tuffley

DPIRD

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Michael May

Geraldton Fisherman’s Co-Op

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Daniel Fels

Western Rock Lobster Council

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Rohan Warr

Dongara Marine

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Jane McGann

Tasmanian Rock Lobster Council

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Matt Taylor

Western Rock Lobster

Chief Executive Officer 

Matt Taylor has a strong background in the fishing industry, including years as a commercial fisherman across numerous sectors. He completed a degree with first-class Honours in aquaculture and seafood science before working for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) which included establishing and coordinating the national research flagship for water in WA.

As Chief Executive Officer, Matt has a primary responsibility for the delivery of WRL’s strategic goals and objectives. He provides high level strategic and tactical advice on industry-related issues and coordinates the implementation of the Board’s decisions.

Nicole Moody

HUNTER ADVISORY

Founder

Nicole Moody is a senior strategic advisor to executives and organisations navigating reputation, communications and the decisions that shape how they are seen and trusted.  Nicole‘s career spans media, political advisory, launching and leading her own communications agency where she built business reputations for national brands. She went on to hold a global communications leadership role at Fortescue, one of Australia’s largest and most scrutinised companies.  Today she owns Hunter Advisory, a communications and reputation management consultancy.

Chris King

WESTERN ROCK LOBSTER COUNCIL

 

Data Analyst

Chris is an IT professional with more than 25 years of experience in business intelligence (BI) reporting, data analysis, and data warehousing design and implementation, within a mixture of government, not for profit and private sector organisations across a diverse mixture of industries including energy, mining, engineering, healthcare and most recently fisheries. He has built a career on transforming diverse and complex data sources into highly robust and accurate data structures, reports, visualisations and interactive dashboards that provide meaningful insights to support strategic decision-making, operational reporting, and digital transformation initiatives.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering from Edith Cowan University and a Master of Business Administration from Curtin University. His combination of technical proficiency and business acumen enables him to bridge the gap between data, technology, and organisational outcomes to deliver high-quality, data-driven solutions.

At WRL, Chris provides leadership and expertise across a variety of programs and partnerships. This includes working with a range of internal and external stakeholders, particularly in supporting the long-term implementation of the WRL Industry Digital Strategy. This program of work sees a number of significant digital transformation projects being implemented across the industry, aimed at increasing efficiencies and IT system connectivity that will create benefits including resource management, fishing operations, supply chain logistics, member engagement, research, and community connection.

Rob Taylor

Taylor Mechanical & Marine

Operations Director 

Rob Taylor is a qualified Heavy-Duty Diesel Mechanic and Auto Electrician with extensive experience across the transport, mining and marine industries.

Rob was a heavy diesel mechanic in Kalgoorlie for 5 years before he relocated to Geraldton in 2012 and transitioned into the marine industry.

Since then, Rob has developed a strong reputation for his practical knowledge, accurate diagnostics and high standard of workmanship. He is committed to building trusted relationships with his customers and helping vessel operators reduce breakdowns through effective preventative maintenance.

Kendall Whyte

Blue Tree Project

Chief Executive Officer

Kendall Whyte OAM is the founder and CEO of Blue Tree Project, a grass-roots movement which has turned into a charity making an impact across Australia and other parts of the world.

From Mukinbudin in the Central Wheatbelt of Western Australia, her journey started after the heartbreaking loss of her brother to suicide in 2018. Since then, she has channeled her energy into creating vital conversations around mental health — particularly in regional and rural communities, where such discussions are often neglected.

Her work has not only helped break down the stigma surrounding mental health but also inspired change on a national scale. She’s been recognised with numerous accolades, including being named the 2022 Young Australian of the Year for Western Australia and received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to mental health.

Stephen Wheeler

WA MARITIME SAFETY AUTHORITY

Marine Inspector Operations

Stephen Wheeler is a Marine Safety Inspector with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, based in Geraldton and working predominately across regional and remote Western Australia.
In his role with AMSA, Stephen works with domestic commercial vessel owners, masters, crews and marine surveyors, including those in the commercial fishing sector, on vessel safety, certification, safety management systems and the practical application of the National System for Domestic Commercial Vessels.

Before joining AMSA, Stephen spent more than two decades working at sea and on and around commercial vessels in a range of operational roles across Australia. He also has a background in marine biology.

His experience on both sides of the industry gives him a practical understanding of vessel operations, the pressures faced by owners and crews, and AMSA’s responsibilities as the national maritime safety regulator. His work places a strong emphasis on clear communication and helping industry understand how safety requirements apply in practice.

Matt Hern

FINANCIAL PLANNER, HPH SOLUTIONS

Matt Hern is passionate about helping people afford the life that lights them up! He is a Certified Financial Planner professional with over 20 years of experience in helping people achieve their financial goals.

Matt blends behavioral science with personal finance to help people make smart financial decisions that reduce their financial stress and boost their overall happiness.

Emma-Jayd Tuffley

DPIRD

Research Scientist

Emma-Jade Tuffley is a Senior Research Scientist in the Aquatic Science and Assessment branch of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia. She leads the stock assessment of the West Coast Deep Sea Crab Managed Fishery (crystal crab, Chaceon albus) and contributes to assessments of western rock lobster and other WA managed fisheries. Emma-Jade has worked at DPIRD for 11 years and completed her PhD in 2023 on the catchability of western rock lobster and its implications for stock assessment. Since 2022 she has focused on crustacean stock assessment, with much of her current work involving spatial CPUE standardisation and size-structured stock models in R that feed directly into MSC certification and fishery management decisions.

Michael May

GERALDTON FISHERMAN’S CO-operative

General Manager, Supply Chain (Operations)

Michael May (MBA, GAICD) is a senior executive with a strong track record in leading strategy, transformation, and operational performance across supply chain, infrastructure, and member‑based organisations.

As General Manager, Supply Chain Operations at Geraldton Fishermen’s Co‑operative (GFC), Michael leads end‑to‑end supply chain strategy and execution, with a focus on improving performance, enhancing member value, and building resilient, efficient operations. He is a member of the executive leadership team and plays a key role in shaping organisational strategy and capability.

Previously, Michael led Corporate and Shared Services at GFC, delivering enterprise‑wide improvements across safety, technology, governance, and business systems. He is known for his pragmatic, outcomes‑focused approach and his ability to lead high‑performing teams through complex change.

Michael holds an MBA (Business Leadership) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He also serves as Chair of Regional Development Australia Midwest & Gascoyne and is actively involved in regional economic development and industry leadership.

Daniel Fels

Western rock Lobster council

Economics & Markets

Daniel has a background in agriculture and aquaculture economics, with degrees in Science and in Economics from University of Western Australia and a Master of Arts from Murdoch University.

In his role with WRL, Daniel drives delivery of the Understanding the Markets programme, supports the TACC Committee and conducts other economic research, analysis and reporting needs of WRL.

Rohan Warr

dongara marine

Managing Director and Shareholder

Rohan Warr is Managing Director and part owner of shipbuilder Dongara Marine. A fully qualified shipwright with nearly 30 years involvement in boatbuilding, he also has commercial vessel operations qualifications and experience.

Born and raised in the Mid-West, Rohan’s career as a shipwright began in Perth in 1995 through an apprenticeship with a world-renowned builder in the superyacht industry. He then went on to work as a shipwright primarily in commercial vessel construction, initially in Perth before returning to the Mid-West in 2001 to work for Geraldton-based boatbuilders, working in both shipwright and supervisory roles.

Rohan moved to Dongara Marine in 2010 to assist with converting a lobster fishing boat into a pleasure craft. He was subsequently appointed General Manager of Dongara Marine. In July 2016, Rohan and his wife became partners in the company and he was appointed Managing Director.

Since Rohan has been in that role, Dongara Marine has completed significant new vessel construction and refit projects worth over $95 million and has confirmed contracts worth approximately $20 million in place. Under his direction the company transitioned operations to a new, purpose-built facility in Geraldton which officially opened 08/2022.