Damien Ryan

Damien Ryan was born in Alice Springs in 1955 and completed his primary education at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart school in Alice Springs. His business career commenced in 1972 when he started work at the Alice Springs Camera Shop which he purchased in 1974. Since then, he has also gained invaluable knowledge of the transport and tourism industries as licensee of the Mt Ebenezer Roadhouse and later as co-owner of Dunmarra Roadhouse. Damien is currently a member of the Central Australian Executive of the Chamber of Commerce, and is the Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce NT.

Damien was awarded the prestigious Photographic Imaging Council of Australia (PICA) award as "Photographic Dealer of the Year" in 2000. During 2002, he achieved industry support for his proposal to raise over $250,000 in 3 years by selling photo frames to fund research into the causes of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. In 2005 he was honoured with the NT Achiever Award presented by the NT Australia Day Council for his efforts. He was named a "Paul Harris Fellow" by Rotary International in 2006 for his "tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.

It might be said that Damien is a dedicated petrol head; as vice president of the Finke Desert Race he is a tireless worker for that event and has the honour of being a life member of the committee. He was President of the Alice Springs Motor Cycle Club during the late 70s and early 80s, and was instrumental in promoting the toughest off-road motorcycle race in Australia, the Radio Alice 12-Hour Enduro, that ran from 1978-1988 on Mt Ebenezer Station.

John Rawnsley

John Rawnsley was born in Darwin in 1981 and was raised in the Territory. At a young age he lived at Uluru and Kakadu and moved to Darwin in 1989 where he spent his primary, secondary and tertiary education years. In 2007 John attained a Bachelor of Laws and Batchelor of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies from Charles Darwin University.

John has worked in a range of sectors including retail, mining, public service, non-government, and currently manages the Alice Springs Desert Leadership Program with Desert Knowledge Australia. John has been involved as a committee member for a number of Aboriginal Corporations in the Territory. Previously he has coached an under 10s basketball team and facilitated workshops for young people in Turntablism.

John was President of the Rotary Club of Alice Springs Mbantua in 2007-2008 and serves as a volunteer in a range of community roles. John's recreational interests include spending time with family, gym, chess, reading and turntablism.

John's blog can be found at www.rawnsleyj.wordpress.com.

Brendan Heenan

Brendan was born in Alice Springs and has worked for many years in Alice Springs as a market gardener, landscape gardener and nurseryman.

Brendan and wife Bev are the owners of a successful local caravan park and the owners of a pizzeria and restaurant. They have 6 children and 13 grandchildren with most of the family residing and working in Alice Springs.

Brendan's community involvement currently includes roles as President of the NT Caravan Park Association, CRVA National Board member and Bindi board member.

Brendan has been and currently remains Patron of the AFL CA for many years and a sponsor of the under 17community football with the Heenan Cup and is now the sponsor of the town under 17 AFL CA football.

A Rotarian of the Stuart Rotary Club since 1970 was President in 1977 -78 and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow for services to Rotary and the community. Brendan enjoys spending time with family and friends, gardening, reading, politics, walking , AFL football and is a member of the Essendon Football Club.

Murray Stewart

Murray Stewart is a qualified myotherapist and co-managing director of “Stoutback Australia”, a company specializing in back care products and therapeutic pillows.

After graduating from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 1989, Murray owned and operated commercial ventures in the health and fitness industry.

Recreationally, Murray has been both a participant and sports administrator. Murray is a member of the St Kilda Football Club and is currently the president of the Central Australian Athletics Club.

In the past, Murray has represented Australia in blind cricket and in athletics and was the second fastest vision impaired sprinter in the world, still holding the Australian 60 metre record at 7.7 seconds.

Murray's interests include community work, sport and politics and he is the president of the Heroes Under the Sun Museum, a local organisation attempting to raise funds to establish a site that will recognise the work of the nation’s emergency services, workers and volunteers.

Samih Habib

Samih Habib arrived in Australia in 1974 after working with the Lebanese police force. He started out as a builder’s labourer and went on to become a service station proprietor for six years while obtaining his mechanics qualifications through TAFE college.

Samih has been a taxi owner and driver since 1980 while operating a range of businesses.

Samih developed a number of subdivisions including Clough Court. He has built blocks of flats on six properties and developed the Larapinta Supermarket where he was proprietor for two years. Samih was also the proprietor of BA Parts for more than two years.

Samih is director of Alice Springs Taxis and a foundation member of the Alice Enterprises. Until recently he was a member of the Apex Club.

Samih enjoys reading, gardening and spending time with his family.

Liz Martin

Liz Martin is currently CEO of the National Road Transport Hall of Fame, located in Alice Springs. She has worked as a consultant and lobbyist on all matters pertaining to the road transport industry, and has been involved in events and public relations in the tourism industry, and is the author of "Australia's Road Transport Heritage: Stories from the Road".

Liz's community involvement includes service as Director of Transport Women Australia Ltd, the NT Rest Areas representative for the Campervan and Motor Home Club of Australia, the NT representative for the Australasian Motor Museums Association, and 10 years as Public Officer of Holyoake Alice Springs Inc.

Liz's interests include Alice Springs and NT history and heritage, particularly road transport and the Old Ghan train, indigenous/cultural issues, the natural landscape, and the connectivity between them all.

Jane Clark

Jane Clark has lived in Alice Springs since 1980 and raised 3 children there. Jane has owned a number of local businesses including restaurants and a therapeutic health centre.

Known to many as 'Netgrrl' since opening the first dedicated web site development business in the NT, she is currently running her own business in the IT industry focussing on strengthening indigenous language and culture using new media. Jane has been convenor of the Alice Springs ICT industry forum, a member of the ICT Industry Development Group, on the executive of the Australian Information Industry Association and a founding member of the ICT & Creative Industries Business Cluster.

She was elected to Alice Springs Town Council in 2004 and re-elected as a Greens candidate in 2008. During that time, she has been Chair of Corporate and Community Services Committee, the Environment Advisory Committee, Araluen Arts Centre Grants Committee and an Executive Member of the Local Government Association of NT (LGANT).

“I see my role on Council as a powerful platform for lobbying on behalf of Alice Spring residents about issues relating to –
• environmental sustainability and in particular representing community views about uranium mining;
• social fairness especially regarding matters such as the Federal Intervention;
• accountability and honesty in government; and
• good service provision to all corners of the Territory.”

To keep up to date with Jane online, visit www.janeclark.com.au and you will find links to her blog, facebook and latest projects and ideas.

Sandy Taylor

Sandra Taylor works as an Aboriginal and Islander Education Worker (AIEW) at St Philips College since 2000, where she provides a valuable role model for Indigenous students. She has acquired a broad range of managerial skills in previous positions in the retail sector, tourism industry, and public service in both the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments. Prior to commencing at St Philips, she worked for 10 years with the NT government in the office of Aboriginal Development and Aboriginal Lands Branch as a Senior Advisor to the Minister of the day.

Sandra has been a recognised sporting identity for more than 35 years as a horsewoman, poddy calf rider, and softball player; as well as a committee member, Baseball and Softball umpire and coach; and member of the Sports Facility Advisory Committee. She was awarded Life Membership of the Alice Springs Softball Association in 1996.

Sandra enjoys reading, surfing the net, horse riding, camping and travelling, early morning walks, and being with family and friends as much as possible.

Melanie van Haaren

Melanie van Haaren first arrived in the Northern Territory from Papua New Guinea as a 17 year old to study nursing at what was then, the Darwin General Hospital. Since then she has continued to work in health, predominantly in the field of primary health care, including overseas consultancies. Melanie has attained international recognition for her work in Pacific Island countries. Recently, she opened the first private school of nursing in the NT.

Melanie’s husband of thirty years, Rob, is a local fireman, and her three children, Josh, Luke and Amy all live and work in Alice Springs. Her parents moved from Adelaide to join her and her family in 2004. She has six beautiful grandchildren. In partnership with her daughter Amy, she also owns a small retail business in the Mall.

Melanie has served on a number of Territory and National Boards and Committees, mainly in relation to health care and education and training. She is a Christian, enjoys lead lighting, reading and family orientated activities.