About Us

The founding members saw a need for an independent, non-political organisation that could examine, research and investigate projects that would benefit regional communities in Australia from an economic, social and environmental perspective.

Resources Energy & Environment Foundation (REEF) Limited was formed to assist in this process by bringing like-minded people and organisations together and, where applicable, with the assistance of the Government of the day, to provide long term benefits to regional communities.

The company was incorporated on 27 July 2020 with the following key objects as set out in the Constitution:

• To operate as a Not-for-Profit Company limited by Guarantee for the purposes of facilitating the development of projects that are in the Australian national interest and in Regional Australia, particularly in the fields of Resources, Energy and the Environment, but to include any projects in other areas deemed by the Directors of the company to be of significance.
• To use the foundation to promote research, awareness and education to Governments, business and the community as to the economic and social benefits of any particular project.
• To receive funds solely for the purposes of furthering the Company’s objectives in the form of voluntary contributions, subscriptions, from fund raising activities, grants and any other independent income, where such funds are applied at the direction of the Directors, to meet costs incurred in the furtherance of the Company’s objectives and for particular projects approved by the Directors.

• Consultant Natural Resource Management and Planning in Agricultural sector.
• Member of Mining Extractive Environment Team (MEET).
• Member of Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL NSW).
• Original vocation/profession, building construction, architectural. Specialising in recent years in heritage restoration and project management of public buildings and private dwellings.
• Ass Deg App Sc and Ba App Sc Deg. Natural Resource Management and Ecology. Post graduate studies Ecology and Ornithology.
• Former lecturer Environmental Studies/ Landcare NSW Western Institute of TAFE.
• Former: ADF – RAE 21 Reg 102 Const Sqn -3 years. 17 RNSWR Infantry 10 years. Acting Platoon Commander, Senior training Cadre. Awarded Australian Defence Medal.
• Formerly held various positions in SES Awarded National Medal for Service, Rotary, State and Federal Government appointments in river management, regional development and community conservation.
• Special interest in future development of water resources for Regional Australia.
• Resides at Dubbo NSW.

• Chartered Accountant based on the Mid North Coast of NSW specialising in project development and management, business financing and restructuring, grant submissions, administration and acquittals, management consulting to small and medium businesses in Regional Australia.
• A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Accountants of Australia and New Zealand, and a Fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia. Educated at University of NSW B Com. (Accounting and Financial Management).
• Previously practiced as a registered tax agent, company auditor, registered financial advisor and liquidator with 40 years in public practice.
• Long term community involvement on various boards in the aged care industry, independent schools and sports associations.
• Family background in dairying, forestry and timber with special interests in forestry management and sustainability.
• Resides at Kempsey NSW.

• Duncan and his family operate a farming enterprise in the Molong NSW area. Previously, he and his family operated a 390ha Irrigation Farming Enterprise (Invermein) in the Scone area of NSW, comprising an Angus beef herd, lucerne production, cash cropping and thoroughbred breeding and agistment.
• Diploma in Farm Management from Orange Agricultural College, with earlier education at Kayunga Public school near Muswellbrook and Kings school at Parramatta.
• Previously involvement in operating and management of rural properties covering sheep cattle, dairy and cropping operations in NSW and Qld.
• Participation in in an agricultural exchange program in Northern Montana USA to study cattle and irrigated lucerne farming enterprises, and a world study tour on dairy operations.
• Continued involvement in the Aberdeen Highland games since involvement in commencement in 2000.
• Previously involved as Inaugural Chairman of the Upper Hunter Education Fund in 2005 that continues to assist annually 28 students with further education.
• Previously involved in various board and committee roles with the Royal Easter show, RAS council and Bushfire Brigades Scone Polo club.

• Long term involvement in the livestock industry from 1968 with 43 years managing and operating his own business. Currently working in the livestock industry as a contractor to major livestock transport companies in NSW, Qld and Vic.
• Originally educated on Wooltana station, SA by distance education, then Urrbre Agricultural High school in Adelaide, followed by National Service in 1965 before moving to NSW in 1968.
• Special interests in Regional Australia, the future development of water infrastructure, supply and management to all our regions and remote inland areas, to provide for the future of inland Australia’s growth, development and economic security.
• Resides at Inverell NSW.

• Qualifications – M Ru Sc., BA., HDA., Dip Fin Ser.
• Jeffory has extensive background in Agricultural Science and Finance.
• Agriculture : Practical knowledge of farming from managing family farms in central western NSW [both dryland and irrigation property]. Background in agricultural Research and advisory work in the public and private sectors. National Animal health Product Manager for a major Australian agriculture supply company.
• Finance: Established and held position of managing director of secured investment company [ASI Capital Ltd].
• Current positions:
  • Chairman of the board of AFM (Aussie Farmers Mutual).
  • Director shareholder and responsible manager Win Securities Ltd.
  • Responsible Manager Semper Securities Ltd.
  • Director Resource Energy and Environment Foundation.

• Began career as a cadet in Local Government with Sarina Shire Council in the early 1960s.
• Progressed to senior management and Overseer of Works roles at Tambo and Taroom Shire Councils.
• 1974: Appointed Senior Inspector Civil for Utah Development Co., overseeing the construction of the town of Dysart.
• 1976: Senior Superintendent for Calder and Brandon Consulting Engineers in Chinchilla.
• 1979: Founded and operated Buckley Earthmoving, Toowoomba.
• Currently serving as Director of RSA Contractors.
• Project Management: Delivered a wide range of major infrastructure projects, including:
  • Greenfield Developments: Mines (Moura North, Rolleston, Clermont).
  • Railways: Southern 40km section of the Blackwater-Rolleston line.
  • Highways: Oversaw significant highway construction projects.
  • Residential Subdivisions: From planning to completion.
  • Irrigation & Farming Developments: Major irrigation dams and cotton farm developments.
  • Feedlot Design and Construction: Projects across Australia.
  • Gas Field Development: Extensive involvement in the energy sector.
  • Basalt Quarries: Managed projects in Dalby and Roma.
• Former Vice President, Cattleman’s Union of Australia.
• Founding Director, Agforce Queensland.
• Former Director, Wideland Insurance Brokers.
• Active participant in industry working groups.
• Current member, QLD LNP Water Advisory Committee.
• Queensland Commissioner of Declarations (formerly a Justice of the Peace).
• Currently owns and manages farming properties in Central Western NSW (Branglebar and Mulgawarrina) and on the Queensland-NSW border east of Goondiwindi.

Dr David Gillespie has the position of Patron of Reef Research Foundation at the invitation of the Board.

Dr Gillespie became the Federal MP for Lyne on 7 September 2013 as a National Party member and will retire at the federal election in May 2025. During his parliamentary career he has been a strong supporter of Regional Australia, and the activities and objectives of the Reef Research Foundation, attending a number of REEF conferences and delivering papers on the future of Nuclear Energy in Australia.

As a Federal MP, Dr Gillespie held a number of ministerial positions including Assistant Minister for Rural Health; Assistant Minister for Health, Assistant Minister for Children and Families, Minister for Regional Health, Minister assisting the Minister for Trade and Investment.

Through his involvement in researching nuclear energy, Dr Gillespie has acted as chair and founding organizer of the Australian Parliamentary Friends of Nuclear Industries – a bipartisan think tank for Australian parliamentarians. He regularly advises corporate and government leaders on developments in nuclear energy and nuclear medicine. He is a passionate contributor to public discussion on the benefits of nuclear energy generation for Australia and Asia Pacific.

Before entering Federal Parliament Dr Gillespie had 33 years’ experience in medical practice, including 21 years as a specialist Gastroenterologist and Consultant Specialist Physician in Port Macquarie. David also contributed to future medical education through his position as a lecturer and tutor at UNSW Rural Medical School since its inception. David, together with his wife Charlotte, established and managed the Hastings Day Surgery Clinic for 12 years, which continues to operate as a valuable service to the local community.

David and his wife Charlotte have three children Isabelle, Oliver and Alice. They raised their family on their farm in Hastings Valley, where they have run grass fed Angus beef cattle.