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 with over 30 years of experience in training and safety within Australia’s mining, oil, and gas industries. He has responded to major disasters, including fires and floods across the nation, and has collaborated with organisations such as the Red Cross, QFES, RFS, QAS, and St John Ambulance.
Having witnessed the need for more realistic training scenarios, especially in helicopter rescue operations during challenging weather, Troy is passionate about establishing a world-class training facility to enhance emergency responders’ skills and further their careers. In his spare time, he teaches Certificate IV and Diploma courses in Work Health and Safety (WHS) and Health and Safety Representative (HSR) at TAFE Queensland.
As the founder of the Centre for Emergency Response and Equipment Facilities (CEREF), Troy is dedicated to making training concepts a reality. He has established key connections that have contributed to CEREF’s success and secured 50 acres of rugged terrain ideal for simulating rescue environments.
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 more than twenty years of experience providing human resources and executive support across local government, not-for-profit organisations, and the commercial sector. She delivers high-quality services to a diverse range of stakeholders, including CEOs, board members, senior managers, executives, colleagues, business partners, as well as members of the public and the community. Lydia is highly focused and results-oriented, possessing a talent for problem-solving. She is driven to succeed and continually seeks innovative ways to enhance service delivery while effectively managing her priorities and projects. Additionally, she is adaptable, approachable, and flexible, with a strong passion for delivering excellent service.
Lydia excels at identifying suitable candidates for various roles and connecting them with businesses that need top talent through an efficient recruitment and selection process. She plays a crucial role in integrating and coordinating the different stakeholders, resources, and documents associated with CEREF.
NOEL PNG- TECHNOLOGY, INNoVATION AND INVESTMENT
Noel brings professional experience in space technology and satellite imagery to disaster management and other applications. His career in space began in 2019 in the UK and Germany, and he returned to Singapore to further develop ventures involving space and AI technology aimed at serving the Southeast Asian market.
Noel is a strong advocate for youth activism and believes that the current generation of young people has a vital role in addressing society’s most pressing issues.
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 began his journey in the lifesaving industry 20 years ago as a lifeguard in Canada. He has worked with notable organisations such as the Red Cross, Lifesaving Society, and Search and Rescue (SAR) before moving to Australia. In Australia, he became involved with the Coast Guard and the State Emergency Service (SES) in Queensland, contributing both in active roles and through training. Matt’s background in business development has enabled him to successfully establish multiple businesses in sales, cleaning, and training. Currently, with his Certificate in Training and Assessment, he has many opportunities to teach and train within the emergency services sector, covering areas such as first response, drone operations, water rescue, and various other aspects of the field. As a board member, Matt aims to transform the not-for-profit organisation CEREF into a state-of-the-art facility for emergency and technical 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 took him around the world as a special operations professional in law enforcement. Most recently, he served as the Senior Manager of Safety Systems for a helicopter organisation based in Brisbane. In this role, he was responsible for ensuring both aviation and personnel safety across various civilian and military helicopter programs.
Andy Truscott- Board Memember
Operations Manager at TruHealth Solutions
Andy is the Managing Director and National Operations Manager at TruHealth Solutions, boasting over six years of experience concentrated on Occupational Health and worker wellbeing. He has developed systems to mitigate risks for organisations and oversees the company’s growth, staff training, and resource allocation. Currently, he is focusing on establishing sites, hubs, and mobile units across Eastern Australia. With a solid background in Workplace Health and Safety, Andy has held various roles, including National Workplace Health and Safety Manager for a large non-profit and Workplace Health and Safety Manager for NSW Health Local Health District for Mental Health. He has also worked in the construction sector. At TruHealth Solutions, Andy enhances staff development and provides training services for organisations assisting young offenders. He also supports a volunteer transport organisation with compliance and training and collaborates on drug screening services. Additionally, he serves as a board director with CEREF, contributing to project support.
Aaron HARPER- 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