Management Committee
President
Ashleigh Wyles
Ashleigh was born and raised in Mackay and is deeply passionate about the beautiful and vibrant region. She has been involved with Mackay Conservation Group since 2018, as a volunteer or staff member. A well as a passion for the environment and climate justice, Ash is passionate about social justice, building community and equitable access to information. She enjoys volunteering with a number of groups that support these causes. In her spare time she enjoys fibre craft, scrapbooking, reading and playing dungeons and dragons.
Vice President
Grant Howard
Grant is a retired supervisor who worked in the coal and resource industry in the Mackay region. He joined Mackay Conservation Group in 2019 after recognising the global failure by leaders and politicians to abate carbon emissions. His interests and hobbies include a just transition for people working in fossil fuel industries, bush regeneration and the rewilding of local Mackay landscapes. Grant understands the value of natural landscapes to the Australian identity and wants future generations to enjoy them.
Secretary
Maggie Mckeown
Maggie Mckeown has been campaigning for Climate Justice for many years, starting out at Mackay Conservation Group. Maggie has pushed for better climate policies in state and federal elections and has been part of big wins against fossil fuel companies in Australia and internationally. Grassroots organising and campaigning is critical to making big change in the world which is why Maggie is passionate about supporting Mackay Conservation Group.
Treasurer
Tyson Willoughby
Tyson is a local, born and bred passionate environmentalist who has been working in the construction industry as an electrician. He joined MCG as a volunteer in 2024 because he was fed up with the lack of awareness and activism to preserve the ecosystem. Tyson is very interested in renewable energy and just transition from reliance and fossil fuels. He enjoys hiking much of the beautiful Mackay region and prides himself on shopping local, supporting locals and fighting for social justice.
Committee Member
Nicky Hungerford
Nicky has a long history with the environment in Queensland. She has worked with the Queensland Conservation Council (Rural Liaison Officer, and Coordinator – twice!) She also has worked with the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre (CAFNEC) and even a short contract with MCG. Most of the past 18 years, Nicky has been working overseas – mainly Southeast Asia and Timor-Leste where she is now working as a Communication Mentor with Red Cross. She loves cricket and crazy shark movies and hates injustice.
Committee Member
Mary Anne Baillie
Mary Anne is a retired primary school teacher. She was born and educated in Mackay and began her teaching career at Mackay Central. After working in Wewak PNG, Townsville and Sydney she is now enjoying her retirement in Mackay. She has been a member of MCG for about 12 years and a member of the Management Committee for about 7 years. Through her work with MCG, she wants to see the beautiful environment of Mackay preserved for future generations.
Committee Member
Jack Wallace
Jack was born and raised in Mackay. He has always had a passion for conservation and the environment and has been an active member of Mackay Conservation Group since 2021. He has interests in renewable energy and sustainable land care practices. When Jack is not helping volunteer with MCG he is either painting or adventuring in the Mackay region.
Committee Member
Chris Evans
Chris has lived in Mackay for most of his life and works as a sheetmetal worker and mechanical draftsman. His lifelong passion is social justice and environmental concerns, leading him to start volunteering with MCG in 2022. Chris also volunteers with the local branch of the Native Plant Society. When he’s not volunteering or working, Chris enjoys maintaining his vegetable and native plant garden, researching sustainable home design, learning how to draw and playing Dungeons and Dragons.
Committee Member
Ben Watkin
Ben is another member born and raised in Mackay, and has always had a strong connection to the environment and a passion for its preservation. Ben has a unique perspective on environmental advocacy, drawing from his experience in information technology services within the agriculture industry and his current role with a marine research organization. Ben is passionate about the electrification of the economy, the critical role of renewable energy, and advocating for stronger regulations against mass-scale tree clearing.