Neil O'Brien
Chief Executive Officer
Email – nobrien@gulf-savannah.com.au
CEO Office – 0408 051 358
After hours – 0421 995 205
Neil has lead GSD since September 2023, and is operating from bases in Cairns, the Gulf Savannah region and Brisbane. Neil is results driven and has extensive executive experience leading tourism and major events, infrastructure and experience development, biosecurity, and corporate and business services.
Prior to joining GSD, Neil lead teams in the Queensland Public Sector for over 37 years across seven agencies in regional and South-East Queensland, and working in front line operational, corporate and strategic roles, including over 19 years in senior and executive leadership positions.
Stephanie Toy
Tourism Recovery Officer
Email –tourismrecovery@gulf-savannah.com.au
M – 0456 758 965
Stephanie joined GSD in July 2025 to lead GSD’s Tourism Recovery and Resilience Program – a jointly funded Australian and Queensland Government initiative under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements following the 2022-23 declared disaster event.
Steph operates from GSD’s Cairns office and regularly travels to the Gulf Savannah region to support tourism recovery and resilience in Burke, Carpentaria, Doomadgee and Mornington Local Government Areas.
Steph has a wealth of experience in business development, tourism, operations management, marine, marketing and communications. Steph’s experience spans across regional and remote locations, in the private sector, within local Councils and the Tourism department in Queensland Government. As a former hospitality business owner herself, Steph is well versed in the opportunities and challenges faced by small business in remote parts of Queensland.
Steph is working closely with Gulf Savannah tourism businesses, Councils, government agencies, and industry partners to support recovery and build resilience across the Gulf Savannah region as a part of GSD’s Tourism Resilience and Recovery Program.
Elizabeth (Beth) Bickford
Team Leader, and
Principal Community Recovery and Resilience Officer
Email – bbickford@gulf-savannah.com.au
M – 0409 902 347
Linkedin – Beth Bickford
Joining GSD in January 2026 as Team Leader of GSD’s Community Recovery and Resilience Program, Beth is leading delivery within Burke Shire and strategically managing delivery across Burke, Carpentaria and Doomadgee LGAs. This is a jointly funded Australian and Queensland Government initiative under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements following the 2022-23 declared disaster event.
Beth operates from Burke Shire’s Cairns office, GSD’s Cairns office, Brisbane and regularly travels to Burke Shire and across the Gulf Savannah region to support community recovery and resilience.
Beth is a seasoned community development specialist with a deep passion for helping communities prepare for and recover from disasters. With more than a decade of experience in disaster management, Beth has led initiatives that strengthen operational preparedness and social cohesion predominantly across regional and remote areas in NSW and QLD.
Most recently in the private sector, Beth has facilitated multi-agency after-action reviews, designed and delivered training exercises to enhance response and recovery operations, and has worked closely with Local Disaster Management Groups to enhance local response and recovery plans. Known for her collaborative style, she builds rapid rapport and strong partnerships that drive results.
Beth’s experience includes working in the State Disaster Coordination Centre, chairing district human and social recovery groups, and establishing over 50 local Community Recovery Hubs. Beth also brings robust expertise in corporate governance, program reporting, and managing multi-million-dollar contracts, ensuring transparency and accountability in complex projects.
Driven by a commitment to strengthen the communities she works with, Beth champions locally led disaster management and believes true resilience is only possible when we work together.
Brett Carlsson
Principal Community Recovery and Resilience Officer
Email –bcarlsson@gulf-savannah.com.au
M – 0419 603 727
Brett joined GSD in September 2025 to lead GSD’s Community Recovery and Resilience Program within Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire and support improved community recovery and resilience across Burke, Carpentaria and Doomadgee Local Government Areas – a jointly funded Australian and Queensland Government initiative under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements following the 2022-23 declared disaster event.
Brett operates from GSD’s Cairns office and regularly travels to Doomadgee.
Brett has lived and worked across north, north west and central west Queensland for over 30 years. Brett has a passion for supporting remote communities, the agriculture industry, and advocating for the people and industries in regional and remote Queensland. Brett specialises in engaging local communities, across all three tiers of government and has strong skills in biosecurity and invasive pest management. Brett’s experience includes roles in agriculture and natural resource management in state and federal government and engagement in local government.
Penny Jones
Principal Community Recovery and Resilience Officer
Email – pjones@gulf-savannah.com.au
M – 0409 208 133
Penny joined GSD in October 2025 to lead GSD’s Community Recovery and Resilience Program within Carpentaria Shire and support improved community recovery and resilience across Burke, Carpentaria and Doomadgee Local Government Areas – a jointly funded Australian and Queensland Government initiative under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements following the 2022-23 declared disaster event.
Penny operates from GSD’s Cairns office and regularly travels to Carpentaria Shire.
Penny has extensive experience in disaster recovery, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement, and in leading initiatives that foster long-term resilience across diverse populations. Penny has successfully led recovery programs following natural disasters, supported vulnerable groups through targeted resilience strategies, and advocated for inclusive policy development. Penny builds trust, mobilises resources, and drives meaningful change by empowering communities to rebuild stronger, safer, and more sustainably after adversity.
Penny was born in Port Hedland and spent the last 20 years living and working in regional and remote areas in Northern Territory and Cape York. Penny is well versed in understanding the effects of isolation and the strength and determination of community spirit.
Louise Guy
Finance
Email – lguy@gulf-savannah.com.au
Louise joined GSD in 2025 to provide finance and governance support for GSD’s Tourism Recovery and Resilience Program and Community Recovery and Resilience Programs – jointly funded Australian and Queensland Government initiatives under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements following the 2022-23 declared disaster event.
Louise has extensive experience delivering corporate, business, financial management and audit services across numerous Queensland Government agencies including the tourism, state development, Coordinator-General, local government, and mines and energy portfolios.
Louise is also honorary treasurer for two small not-for-profit organisations – a community funded organisation, and a government funded organisation.
