Archives: Speakers

Hillary Cherry is a Weed Management Coordinator, working with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. She coordinates state-wide weed strategy, policy and planning for biodiversity conservation. She assists in managing the NSW Hawkweed Eradication program, working to refine remote detection and surveillance technologies for improved weed management outcomes.

From 2005-2013, she coordinated the Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) programs for bitou bush, boneseed and asparagus weeds. She is originally from Florida, where she obtained a Master’s Degree in Botany from the University of Florida (UF). She worked in Florida on terrestrial weed research, applied management and weed risk assessment before moving to Australia in 2002. She is an executive member of the NSW Weeds Society and the Council of Australasian Weeds Societies.

Ian Thompson is Australia’s inaugural Chief Environmental Biosecurity Officer. He is the primary representative of and advisor to the Australian Government on all matters relating environmental biosecurity risks.

Ian has previously led biosecurity policy and emergency response, plant industry policy, field crop issues, plant health, native title, drought management, water infrastructure and water reform, rural adjustment, rural leadership and rural research issues. Most recently Ian’s responsibility spanned sustainable agriculture policies and programs, fisheries, forestry, agricultural and veterinary chemicals, community and Indigenous engagement and Landcare.

Ian has a Bachelor of Natural Resources degree from the University of New England.