Les Baxter (CHAIR)

Les Baxter is the Director, Agricultural Research and Development for Tasmanian Alkaloids Pty Ltd (TA).  He is responsible for the strategic management of the TA Agricultural R&D program which aims to increase the yield and efficiency of agricultural and biological-based systems for the production of specific commercial alkaloids using innovative and technology-based solutions.  Dr Baxter is also a member of the TA Executive Leadership Team.

Prior to joining TA, Dr Baxter was the Horticulture Research Program Manager with the Australian Commonwealth Government’s Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) which carried out Agricultural R&D in developing countries.

Dr Baxter has over 36 years’ experience in R&D management, general management, R&D, industry development and commercialization in the public and private sectors with an emphasis on agriculture, horticultural crops and extractive plant industries both in Australia and overseas.  He began his career as a researcher working in plant breeding, agronomy and plant physiology on fruit and vegetable crops.

Dr Baxter holds a PhD from the University of Canberra, Masters Degrees in Agricultural Science (University of Queensland) and Business Administration (Southern Cross University), an Honours Degree in Applied Science (Horticultural Technology) (University of Queensland), and Diplomas in Agriculture (University of Queensland), Rural Techniques (Agriculture) (University of Queensland), Mathematics and Computing (University of Southern Queensland) and Law (Southern Cross University).

pal Singh (Treasurer)

Angela Holzberger (Deputy Chair)

Angela is a Registered Nurse with extensive senior management experience. Senior roles held include:

• ADON/DON surgery at Launceston General Hospital. (11years)

• 13 years as DON/Facility Manager in Aged Care, covering Independent Living Units, Residential Aged Care Facilities, a large Dementia Specific Unit and Extra Services.

• 2 years in Palliative Care.

With all of those roles Angela has had a wide range of experience with people including those with a disability.

Angela’s professional tertiary qualifications include: Bachelor of Applied Science in nursing, Graduate Diploma of Business Administration and Master of Clinical Nursing, in aged care.

 Angela has  ten years experience as a Board Member of Aged & Community Care Tasmania; the peak aged care body in the state.   This has given her the opportunity to be involved in state and national committees.

Dr. Fiona Joske (Public Officer)

Dr. Fiona Joske was born in Melbourne in 1956 and moved to Tasmania as a teenager.

She graduated in Medicine from the University of Tasmania in 1979 and is now a General Practitioner with practices in both Longford and Perth. She is married to Dr. Tim Flanagan and they have two children.

Fiona joined the Board of Directors of Eskleigh in 2000 and is the immediate past Chair. She is a member of the Medical Board of Australia and a member of the Council of the University of Tasmania.

tim Whyte (DIRECTOR)

Tim Whyte is married with three adult children and resides in Dilston in Tasmania. Tim was born in Launceston and educated at Launceston Church Grammar School. He attended the University of Tasmania in Hobart where he gained a Bachelor degree in Law.

Upon gaining his law degree Tim commenced practice with Ritchie & Parker Alfred Green and Co., Barristers and Solicitors in Launceston Tasmania and became a Partner of the firm shortly thereafter. Tim’s principle areas of practice are in commercial and property law.

Tim is currently a Director and Deputy Chairman of the Board of B&E Ltd. And also a member of the Board’s Audit and Risk Committee. Tim’s hobbies include rowing and in that regard he has actively participated in the sport by coaching various teams for the Launceston Church Grammar School and being appointed Director of Coaching. Tim also enjoys boating, fishing and spending quality time with is family.

peter Barns (DIRECTOR)

Murray Smallhorn (DIRECTOR)

Natalie Mayes (DIRECTOR)