About us
CEREF is a registered Charity with Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission
MEET OUR BOARD
Troy Cuff – CEO, Founder of CEREF and
Chairman of the Board
Justice of the Peace, Diploma Applied Science Paramedical, Diploma Work Health & Safety and Cert III in Emergency Response.
Troy Cuff is an Emergency Management and Safety Specialist, which includes working as a trainer and safety specialist on some of Australia’s largest mining, Oil and Gas companies. During his 30 years responding to emergencies and volunteering
in some of Australia’s biggest disasters (for example, the fires in Queensland,
New South Wales and Western Australia, and floods on the Gold Coast and
Brisbane), he has worked with a variety of emergency response related
organisations, including Red Cross, QFES, RFS, QAS and St John ambulance.
He is keenly aware of the training that emergency responders receive, but having witnessed rescue operations in the field, he is also aware of deficiencies. For example, there is a need for more real-life helicopter rescue scenarios, such as
operating in high winds and rain. For this reason, Troy is passionate about
creating a state-of-the-art world-class training and education facility that
would help people excel in their emergency response duties as well as advance
their careers in Emergency Services. In his spare time, Troy teaches Certificate IV, Diploma in WHS and HSR at TAFE Queensland.
As the founder of CEREF, Troy is the driving force behind taking the training and
technology from concept to design and ultimately implementation. Troy has
outstanding connections relevant to the success of CEREF, as evident by the
Advisory Board Members. He has acquired 50 acres of rough, bushy terrain ideal
for simulating rescue environments where he wants to see his vision realized.
Lydia Halim – Finance and Operations Manager
c0-Founder of CEREF, TAC Recruitment advisor
Postgraduate Degree in Human Resources Management and Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Management.
Lydia has over twenty years of experience providing human resources and executive support across the local government, not-for-profit, and commercial sectors, providing high-quality services to key stakeholders from CEOS, Board Members, Senior Managers, Executives, colleagues, business partners, and members of the public and community. She is highly focused, results-oriented, a problem solver, motivated to succeed and always trying to find innovative ways of improving service delivery while also managing her priorities and projects. She is adaptable, approachable, and flexible with a passion for excellent service delivery.
Lydia has the great ability to find the right person for the job and connect candidates to businesses with the best talent through the correct recruitment and selection process. She plays a key role in integrating and coordinating the various stakeholders, resources and documents associated with CEREF.
Robert Bott – Board SecRETary
Health safety and SECURITY
Master of Applied Science and Master of Management in Occupational Hygiene and Environmental Certificate IV in TAE 40116 Training and Assessment
Rob has had a diverse career spanning both public and private sectors: nine years in the defence force, 16 years in law enforcement including counter-terrorist and bomb response duties, and twenty years in health and safety across multiple industry sectors.
Rob’s experience has led to a drive to assist others to meet and exceed their potential in first response roles. Two post-graduate degrees, years as a first responder and responsible roles in major resource projects have provided Rob with the knowledge and experience to understand industry and trainee needs. Alongside the dissemination of knowledge, Rob also understands the need to safeguard proprietary knowledge, materials and trained personnel that will belong to CEREF and become its operational collateral.
Matt Cartwright- Public Relations and fundraising
emergency Trainer and assessor
Matt started his journey in the lifesaving industry as a lifeguard 20 years ago in Canada and has worked with distinguished companies such as the Red Cross, Lifesaving Society, and SAR before moving to Australia and becoming involved with Coast Guard and SES QLD in both active work and training. His background in business development has allowed him to build multiple businesses in sales, cleaning, and training. Currently, Matt’s Certificate in Training and Assessment has provided many opportunities to teach and train in the emergency services industry including first response, drone operations, water rescue and many other aspects of the industry. As a Board member, his aspiration is to see the not-for-profit CEREF become a state-of-the-art facility for emergency and tech rescue training and research.
Adam bernhardt – Board Member
Executive SAfety LEader, MOtivator Disrupter, Transformer & Enabler of integration, growth, simplicity and capability (AIRBUS)
Postgraduate Degree in Human Resources Management and Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Management.
Adam’s career saw him work all over the world as a special operation professional for law enforcement up until his most recent role as the Senior Manager of Safety Systems for a Brisbane based helicopter organisation, charged with looking after both aviation and people safety for several civilian and military helicopter programs.
Andy Truscott- Board Memember
Operations Manager at TruHealth Solutions
I’m a Managing Director and National Operations Manager with
a passion for Occupational Health and worker wellbeing. In my 6 years with
TruHealth Solutions. I have assisted and developed systems and management programs to reduce risks for organisations.
With an extensive background in Workplace Health and Safety. This work led me to my current role at TruHealth Solutions where I am responsible for the growth and development of TruHealth Solutions and being the National Operations manager training and allocation of staff and resources. Some of my current projects include Setting up sites, hubs and mobile units across the Eastern States of Australia.
I’ve held a number of Workplace Health and Safety Management roles, working in both private and public sectors, starting out as a consultant and working my way up to National Workplace Health and Safety Manager for a
large non-for-Profit organisation and Workplace Health and safety Manager for NSW Health Local Health District for Mental Health. My Background prior was in the construction and trades, working for my family Electrical business in the UK before moving back to Australia in 1997], but my latest challenge has been helping TruHealth Solutions improve with staff development and business growth through my contributions.
In my role and interests I thrive on helping people and non-for-profit organisations, currently TruHealth Solutions provides training services and advice for companies that assist young offenders start career opportunities, I help a volunteer transport organisation maintain compliance with driver education and training as well as medical examinations, and another to provide drug screening services on drug counsellors to maintain their accreditation and compliance.
I am currently a board Director with CEREF, offering my assistance to help in projects and or the other directors where and when required.
Aaron HARPER- BOARD MEMBER
Former NZ Firefighter
Tuli Laulau- BOARD MEMBER
Former NZ Firefighter
In the ever-evolving landscape of emergency response, the need for highly skilled and adaptable First Responders has never been greater.
That’s where the Canungra Emergency Research and Educational Facility (CEREF) comes in – a groundbreaking training facility designed to revolutionise the way we prepare our heroes for life-saving missions.
He is keenly aware of the training that emergency responders receive, but having witnessed rescue operations in the field, he is also aware of deficiencies. For example, there is a need for more real-life helicopter rescue scenarios, such as operating in high winds and rain. For this reason, Troy is passionate about creating a world-class training and education facility to help people excel in emergency response duties and advance their careers in Emergency Services