Meet the Board

DENNIS STOKES – Chairman

Now fully retired, Dennis started his career in the Royal Australian Navy and left the service in 1967 having achieved the rank of Petty Officer Communications.

Having spent most of his career in the Electronics industry, Dennis moved to Nelson Bay with his wife in 1999.

He was invited to join the Board of Salamander Bay Recycling in 2013 and currently holds the position of Vice-Chairman.

ELISABETH VITTALI-ROSS – Secretary

An ordained Deacon in the Anglican Church since 2010; Elisabeth is married to Ian and has two sons. She is passionate about the environment, recycling, social justice and the provision of improved care for the less-fortunate in society.

Currently a Disability Support Worker, she spends her time working with local people and enjoys encouraging them to seek their independence.

Elisabeth, who moved to Nelson Bay in 1983, has been a Board member since 2000.

CLAIRE BURBRIDGE – Assistant Secretary

Claire is a local business owner, having opened a gift and homewares store in the heart of Nelson Bay in 2019.

Claire divides her time between the retail store and working as a freelance eLearning Developer/Instructional Designer.  In the latter role, she have designed and developed online training for some of Australia’s largest organisations. Ranging in topics from customer service, safety and the environment to cyber security and IT.

Claire joined the Salamander Bay Recycling Board in 2021 and has lived in Nelson Bay on and off since 1984.

IAN FARNSWORTH – Director

Ian is a retired engineer and joined the Board of Salamander Bay Recycling in November 2016.

Following a 35 year career in the RAAF as an aircraft engineering officer and project manager; Ian has subsequently provided consultancy and management services to both Government and the private sector.

Ian has a specific interest in ensuring governance compliance and at a Board level, he is actively involved with helping to improve the services and support that Salamander Bay Recycling provides to the Port Stephens community.

BADEN MILNE – Director

Prior to moving to Australia in 1967, Baden went to school and completed a Carpentry apprenticeship in his native New Zealand.

After a successful career in the Building industry, he retired in 2007 and joined the Salamander Bay Men’s Shed; where he held the role of Treasurer and was also a Committee member for 10 years.

Baden has been a Board member for Salamander Bay Recycling since 2012.

JOHN MCCAULEY – Director

John was raised in Port Stephens alongside his two sisters. In 1993 he graduated from Macquarie University with a science degree in Resource and Environmental Management. While studying, he worked at The Australian Museum in Sydney and as a reservist for the Australian Army. As a graduate of the Institute of Company Directors he served as Director and Deputy Chair for one of the nation’s largest cooperative companies. He is a proud, local business owner and father of three children. John joined the Board in early 2020 and is enthusiastic about reaching positive decision-making processes through healthy, robust discussion at Board level.