Board members
The Board consists of seven members, of whom:
(a) Four are to be Islanders
(b) One is to be a person appointed by the Minister to represent the interests of business and tourism;
(c) One is to be a person appointed by the Minister to represent the interests of conservation; and
(d) One is to be a person employed in the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
The members referred to in (a) are to be appointed by the Minister following an election conducted in accordance with Division 3 of the Lord Howe Island Act, 1953.
The members referred to in (b), (c) and (d) are to be appointed by the Minister for the Environment, and are not to be Islanders.
For more information, please view
Current Board Members
Chairperson of the Lord Howe Island Board.
I’m honoured to introduce myself as the new Chair of the Lord Howe Island Board. It is a privilege to support this extraordinary island and its community, and I look forward to working closely with you to protect and enhance the values that make Lord Howe Island so special.
With over two decades of experience in conservation and emergency management, including senior roles within the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, I bring a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and community wellbeing. I’ve long admired Lord Howe Island’s unique biodiversity and the strength of its local community, and I’m excited to contribute to its sustainable future.
I’m also pleased to welcome two new Minister-appointed members to the Board:
- Ms Margy Osmond, a respected leader in the tourism sector and CEO of the Tourism and Transport Forum Australia. Margy brings a wealth of experience in sustainable tourism, infrastructure, and industry engagement.
- The Hon Nathan Rees, former Premier of NSW and current Head of Government Relations and External Affairs at MetLife Australia. Nathan has a strong track record in conservation, governance, and community development, and his insights will be invaluable to our work.
We look forward to working with the four elected members of the Board: Robert, Therese, Matthew and James. Together, we are committed to supporting the Island’s community, protecting its World Heritage values, and ensuring that Lord Howe Island remains a resilient and thriving place for generations to come.
I look forward to spending time on the island in the coming months and hopefully hearing from some of you first-hand about your ideas, concerns and aspirations.
Appointment: March 2024 to 28 February 2027
The Board’s Deputy Chair, Robert is the fourth generation custodian of the family property ‘Thornleigh’ established by his great-grandfather Philip John English Dignam, who came to the Island from Goulburn in about 1890.
Starting his career as a lawyer in Sydney, London, and Jakarta, Robert moved on to executive roles in the transport and infrastructure sectors. He served on and advised corporate and not-for-profit boards.
Now settled on Lord Howe with his partner Meredith, he works restoring Thornleigh and nurturing its established gardens and orchards.
Appointment: 08 March 2018 to 28 February 2027
Therese Turner, was born on Lord Howe Island. She has lived on the island apart from the years she spent completing her education in Port Macquarie and Sydney and a number of years working and educating her own children on the mainland.
Therese has worked in the tourism industry for all of her working life and enjoys the interesting guests and insights this affords.
Over the years, she has been involved in many community-based groups including the Parents and Citizens Association and Seventh Day Adventist Church.
This is Therese's third term as an Elected Islander.
Appointment: 08 March 2018 to 28 February 2027
Matthew Retmock was born on Lord Howe Island and has lived here continuously apart from periods of schooling and his apprenticeship.
Matthew attended Hurlstone Agricultural College as a boarder.
He completed a carpentry apprenticeship in Sydney, during which time he worked on a number of National Trust buildings. He worked as a carpenter for the Lord Howe Island Board for 20 years. He is now a self-employed carpenter.
Matthew is a member of the Lord Howe Island Bowling Club and Lord Howe Island Golf Club.
Matthew has served on the Committee of the Museum and Historical Society.
Matthew previously served as an Elected Islander from 1994 to 2000, he was re-elected as an Island member in 2018 after an 18-year break.
Appointment: 15 April 2021 to 28 February 2027
James Lonergan is a fifth generation Islander and attended school at Lord Howe Island Central and on the mainland.
James worked in the NSW Public Service for more than 35 years as an officer of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). James worked for 20 years in the Lord Howe Island Board administration in various positions including Board Secretary and Executive Officer. James also served as Local Controller of the State Emergency Service and in various capacities on the Lord Howe Island Bowling Club committee.
While supporting his children attending school on the mainland, James worked as Manager, Fire Management Unit and Manager, Planning Unit for NPWS and represented NPWS on the NSW Bush Fire Coordinating Committee and subcommittees, the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council, the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre and the Forest Fire Management Group (FFMG) which is a body established under COAG.
James has also represented FFMG on the Wild Fire Advisory Group which is a subgroup of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation.
James left the public service and fulltime work in 2020. This is his second appointment as member of the Lord Howe Island Board.
Appointment: 3 June 2025 to 2 June 2028
Appointment: 3 June 2025 to 2 June 2028