Members

Alec Rolston joined the Institute in 2021 as Research Program Manager of the Goyder Institute’s research projects in the Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin program. He has extensive experience in integrated water resource management, integrated catchment management, drinking water source protection and wetland ecology, conservation and management across Europe and Australia.

Alec holds a PhD from the National University of Ireland Maynooth and has worked with An Fóram Uisce|The Water Forum and the Dundalk Institute of Technology in Ireland as well as the MANTEL Innovative Training Network across Europe.

Alec spent his early career in Adelaide working with Flinders University through the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth (CLLMM) Ecology Research Cluster and within the Department for Environment and Water.
Email: director@goyderinstitute.org

Daniel Flaherty is the Accountant for the Goyder Institute for Water Research.

Daniel has extensive experience in higher education having worked in senior financial management roles at the University of South Australia, Flinders University and the University of Adelaide over the past 26 years. Daniel has also been a Board Director on a number of university related entities. Prior to that, Daniel has worked in a range of agencies in the Commonwealth and State Governments.

Daniel is a Fellow of CPA Australia and has a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Adelaide.

Jane French is the CLLMM Research Centre Manager, based in Goolwa, South Australia. Jane is a talented, results-focused leader with a proven record in business analytics and systems development. She is deeply passionate about developing strong professional relationships to drive best practice in partnership with highly motivated practitioners to create a high-performance culture. With qualifications in Communications, Training and Assessment and International and Community Development, Jane has worked in the Not-for-Profit sector for many years, primarily within Community Centres at Management Level, and more recently with one of Australia’s largest NFP organisations. Jane has also served on a number of Boards in the NFP sector. Previous to that Jane has lectured at TAFE, teaching Communications. Growing up on a multi-generational family farm in the south-east of SA, but now living in Goolwa, Jane is a passionate community member and volunteers on committees for local sporting clubs that her children are engaged with.
Email: jane.french@goyderinstitute.org

Dr Nick Whiterod is the CLLMM Research Centre Science Program Manager based in Goolwa, South Australia. Nick is an ecologist with more than two decades experience, working broadly conserving and researching freshwater species and ecosystems across South Australia and Australia. He has conducted several successful reintroduction projects, contributed to the national listing of more than 50 freshwater fish and crayfish, and actively worked to understand and conserve freshwater fish across Australia, including in the Mt Lofty Ranges and the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth region. Nick was a 2018 Churchill Fellow and recently received the 2023 Unsung Hero of South Australian Science.
Email: nick.whiterod@goyderinstitute.org

Dr Tiffany Nay is the Communications and Engagement Coordinator at the CLLMM Research Centre based in Goolwa, South Australia. Tiffany has an academic background with a PhD in fish physiology from James Cook University. For the past 2 years, she has worked in managing wetland ecosystems throughout the CLLMM region. Throughout both roles, Tiffany focused on creating innovative science communication materials and engaging public outreach for communities. She is excited to join the CLLMM Research Centre.

Email: tiffany.nay@goyderinstitute.org

Fiona has joined the Goyder Institute on secondment from Institute partner Flinders University where she has been providing administrative and strategic support for the past twelve years in her role as Centre Manager of the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training. She has actively cultivated a strong network of contacts in the water industry over this time. Fiona has qualifications in Project Administration, Management and Leadership.
Email: fiona.adamson@goyderinstitute.org

Kyla McHughes is the First Nations Engagement Officer for the CLLMM Research Hub, based in Goolwa, South Australia. Kyla is a proud and strong Ramindjeri/Ngarrindjeri woman. She is driven to support local First Nations Peoples to embrace their identity through cultural re-engagement, sharing knowledge and Ngarrindjeri language. Kyla has previous experience in running her own cultural consultancy business embedding Ngarrindjeri language and culture into communities and landscapes. Her mi:wi (spirit) is full when she is out on country. Healthy Country – healthy people, Healthy River – healthy people, Healthy Spirit – healthy person. Kyla believes it is all of our job to work together to preserve our environment, biodiversity and cultural heritage for future generations.
Kyla’s enthusiasm for First Nations culture and language will be instrumental in co-designing research projects and outcomes that are mutually beneficial for the First Nations community, wider community, the Goyder Institute and other parties alike.
Email: kyla.mchughes@goyderinstitute.org

Sue Ellison is a Communications and Engagement Coordinator at the CLLMM Research Centre, based in Goolwa, South Australia. She has a background in land management, having worked as a field and interpretation ranger with various agencies in Australia and New Zealand. Most recently, Sue worked in Aboriginal land management and Joint Management with the Central Land Council, based out of Alice Springs for over 10 years.
Sue has also worked as a PBC Coordinator, working with Native Tile and small developing Aboriginal Corporations in the Central Land Council region in the Northern Territory.

mail: sue.ellison@goyderinstitute.org