Robin Mellon has combined his love of the built environment, passion for sustainability, experience with supply chains, and qualifications in property and finance to become one of Australia’s experts on sustainable supply chains. Robin is:

• the former Chief Operating Officer of the Green Building Council of Australia
• founding CEO of Australia’s Supply Chain Sustainability School
• CEO of sustainability advisory Better Sydney
• Project Manager for the Property Council of Australia’s Modern Slavery Working Group
• a Director of the UN Global Compact Network Australia
• one of the International WELL Building Institute’s Global Advisory and
• Chair of Judging for the National Banksia Awards.

David is the Market Director, Defence and National Security for Beca, an employee-owned Trans-Tasman top-tier technical professional services firm, which specialises in the development, delivery and management of complex assets.

David’s experience has included the capability and acquisition linked advisory programs of work across the ADF and delivery agencies, to the more traditional infrastructure design works across the Australian Defence estate, and providing specialist technical advisory services.

David’s professional credentials include being both a Chartered Fellow and Engineering Executive of Engineers Australia, a Certified Practising Project Director of AIPM, and the former Chair of the Consult Australia Defence Roundtable.

Michelle is a Director within WSP’s Sustainability and Defence teams, specialising in the sustainability design of buildings and infrastructure. Michelle is passionate about delivering positive sustainable outcomes.

Her expertise extends across all fields of Defence project delivery and engineering. Michelle has delivered a number of major Defence projects in capacities as Consultants Representative, Project Manager, Technical Reviewer and Multi-Discipline lead.

Since commencing the role in 2023, Lucas has overseen the evolution of the annual NT Defence Week and uplifting and refreshing the NT’s approach to tradeshows, such as Indo-Pacific and Land Forces and Avalon. Currently, Lucas is focused on developing project-ready land for dual/multi-use industries, analysing industry capability to uplift local businesses across the NT, and working across government agencies to develop initiatives that support defence-enabling industries.

His background includes extensive experience in project management, stakeholder engagement, and industry development across federal and Territory government, as well as private enterprise. Lucas has lived, studied and worked in multiple locations around Australia and the world, and completed his Masters of International Development at Flinders University in 2015 after a lengthy career in the construction industry. He also holds other qualifications in project management, business and management.

Brigadier Follett has held a range of staff appointments, including as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Chief of the Defence Force, Staff Officer Grade One Logistic Plans (Army Headquarters), and Commander Force Sustainment Group and Chief of Staff of 17th Sustainment Brigade. In 2020-21 Brigadier Follett served in Special Operations Command as Director of the Joint Inter-Agency Liaison Office. Most recently, she was the Director General Fuel Capability, responsible for the operation, supply and development of Defence’s fuel network. Brigadier Follett assumed the role of Director General Estate Service Delivery in January 2025.

Brigadier Follett has deployed to Afghanistan twice, firstly to Tarin Kowt with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2012) and to Kabul as the embedded Australian member of the US Army Commanding General’s Commander’s Action Group (2018). Brigadier Follett also deployed to Timor Leste twice, with the 5th/7th Royal Australian Regiment Battalion Group in 2002 and as the Plans Officer of the International Stabilisation Force on Operation Astute in 2010. From June 2007-January 2009 she deployed on Operation Paladin, first as a United Nations Military Observer in Syria and subsequently as the Staff Officer to the United Nations Head of Mission based in Jerusalem.

Brigadier Follett has humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations experience in Sumatra, Indonesia, as part of Operation Padang Assist in 2010. She was the Operations Officer of Joint Task Force 637 during Queensland Flood Assist II (2012) and was part of the 3rd Brigade’s response to Cyclone Debbie (2017). Also domestically, she deployed on Operation Relex (2001) conducting border protection operations on board Navy vessels.

Brigadier Follett holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Mathematics, a Bachelor of Medical Science, a Master of Arts in Strategy and Policy, a Master of International Relations, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Brigadier Follett completed the Australian Command and Staff College in 2011 and the Defence and Strategic Studies Course in 2022.

Since July 2020, she has been a Non-Executive Director on the Board of the Australasian College of Paramedicine. Brigadier Follett is the current Patron of the ADF Running and Athletics Association and is the Head of Corps of the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Brigadier Follett was awarded a Silver Commendation for her leadership of Gallipoli Company and a Gold Commendation for her work on Operation Slipper. She was awarded the US Meritorious Service Medal for her performance in Kabul in 2018. Brigadier Follett was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Dave is values driven, enjoys linking complex practical implementation issues with nationally significant agendas, and working collaboratively with complex stakeholder groups to solve challenging policy, program and regulatory issues to support the best outcomes for the Australian community.

Dave has spent his career working in policy development, as well as program and regulatory delivery across the Health, Infrastructure, Finance and Defence portfolios. Dave’s key experience areas include:

• Program and policy at the Australian Submarine Agency;
• Defence capability and infrastructure development;
• Infrastructure financing and delivery;
• Road and vehicle safety policy and regulation;
• Australian Government budget management and advice;
• Primary care and rural health financing and delivery; and
•  Health workforce management and regulation, aged care, and health and related systems integration.

Mr Chris Hodge is currently Marine Manager and NCIS Project Director at Duratec. With over 30 years’ experience in the marine, defence, civil infrastructure, and mining industries, he has successfully delivered projects throughout Australia and Asia in design and construct, alliance, ECI and head contract delivery models.

Mr Hodge was responsible as Project Manager for the successful delivery of the NCIS-2 Armament Wharf Extension Project, the NCIS-4B Oxley Wharf Extension Project, and he is currently Project Manager and Contractor’s Representative for the ECIHC for the Planning Phase of the NCIS-4C Parkes Wharf Extension Project and Contractors Representative for the NCIS-5 HMAS Coonawarra Maritime Works Stage 1. He leads a high performing Duratec Team, managing more than 200 people on site during peak operations at HMAS Stirling.

Having joined Duratec in January 2019, Mr Hodge is a seasoned professional who brings, consistency, lessons learned and enviable project delivery experience to the table which he willingly shares with others to build successful high performing teams.

He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and also an EPA appointed Environmental Auditor for Contaminated Land in Victoria. Tasos has more than 30 years’ experience in project direction, project management and senior line management / executive roles

Luke has a track record of success in Defence, Social Infrastructure & Built Environment industry, with a portfolio of key appointments with international consultancy’s, top tier builders, and institutional investors across some of Australia’s most significant public and private projects.

Before joining HDR, Tim had a distinguished career in the Department of Defence, including serving as a project director in the Capital Facilities and Infrastructure Branch. He managed a multibillion-dollar portfolio of infrastructure projects across Australia and led high-profile projects in the Middle East and Papua New Guinea.

At HDR, Tim is responsible for leading the Federal sector in Australia. He utilises HDR’s global defence, science, and technology exchange to enhance the company’s 30 years of design experience for Australian Defence. This approach incorporates HDR’s expertise in advanced capability facilities, national security facilities, aviation, and maritime infrastructure, enabling the Australian sector to address some of Defence’s most critical challenges.

Lachlan Orange is the Contractors Representative for the Northern Territory Training Areas and Ranges Project (NTTAR), a flagship Project for Sitzler and one of the largest Defence projects under construction in the Northern Territory. He has 23 years’ experience in the Defence, Mining, O&G and Manufacturing sectors with exposure to numerous contract models on several complex and multidisciplinary projects. He is a qualified Engineer and has experience across all project phases, from initial design and procurement all the way through to final commissioning and handover. Lachlan’s leadership and collaborative approach is well respected across the industry, he is focused on projects working together as one team and developing local industry capability.

She passionate about inspiring and developing the next generation of engineers; especially women, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and often volunteers in this space.

He has commanded at the Lieutenant, Major and Lieutenant Colonel level, culminating in his command of the Australian Army’s deployable design and project management agency, 19th Chief Engineer Works in 2015 – 2016. His Operational deployments include multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as well as a deployment to Solomon Islands as part of the Regional Assistance Mission.

Brigadier Quinn has extensive experience in infrastructure development and delivery including the management of projects in indigenous communities, in several Pacific Island countries and on Australian Defence Force bases. In his current role as Director General Capital Facilities and Infrastructure, Brigadier Quinn is responsible for approximately $40 billion worth of capital facilities projects being delivered on the Defence estate.

He holds an honours degree in Civil Engineering, a Masters of Business Administration and is a Chartered Member of Engineers Australia. He is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff College and in the 2015 Australia Day honours, he was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross for his service to Army on strategic estate issues.

Brigadier Quinn enjoys Aussie Rules football, reading and travelling. He is married to Amy, a registered nurse, and they have two children.

Beginning her career as a Graduate Architect in the ACT, Ese contributed to significant projects such as the Kingston Foreshore Redevelopment Master Plan and Hotel Realm. Since joining Defence in 2006, she has played a key role in project and contract management, successfully delivering a wide range of capital projects, particularly in Queensland.

Currently, as the Executive Director Capability, Ese provides strategic oversight to ensure Government and Defence objectives are met across the facilities portfolio. She leads contract management, policy development, technical advisory functions and procurement.

Ese’s contributions have been recognised with multiple accolades, including the Australia Day Medallion (2014), Australia Day Achievement Award (2023), and an Honourable Mention in the Commonwealth Procurement Awards for her expertise in contract management and procurement (2023).

Tanya has over 25 years of industry experience, commencing her career as a civil engineer in Transport, working across sectors in municipal works, in the local, state and federal government clients space, focussing delivery of projects in the built environment. After joining Jacobs in 2017, Tanya turned her attention to operational management, and since 2020, has led Jacobs operations business in the Defence market. Her passion is to drive collaboration across industry, unlocking the collective goal of delivering infrastructure for clients.

He is deeply passionate about fostering collaboration among regional teams and cultivating relationships with local communities—driving program success through compliance and risk management while harnessing the unique value that local insights provide. He’s leadership has been instrumental in steering teams to meet program capabilities effectively and efficiently.

Beyond Defence, Craig’s industry experience is broad, having managed projects within the retail, education, hospitality, and social infrastructure arenas. As a seasoned Project Lead, he has been responsible for a portfolio of award-winning projects, each showcasing his commitment to excellence in delivery and project execution.

Craig’s approach is marked by thorough governance and an avid pursuit of innovation, attributes that have consistently elevated the projects under my direction. He’s strength lies in his ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, especially in sensitive environments, demonstrating skill in overcoming the diverse challenges that the construction industry presents.

Pat held military staff appointments in capability development and infrastructure delivery related to counter-terrorism capabilities, and in Future Land Warfare and Strategy in Army Headquarters.

He joined the Australian Public Service in 2011 working in Indigenous Affairs where he led a
program reforming public housing in remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. He subsequently moved to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in 2013 before returning to Defence in January 2019 as the Assistant Secretary Estate Planning. He has been the First Assistant Secretary Infrastructure within the Security and Estate Group of Defence since June 2023.

Luke Taylor is a proud Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri man from South Australia with extensive experience in Indigenous business development, procurement, and project management. As the National Business Development Manager at Intract Australia, he plays a key role in driving strategic growth, securing high-impact projects, and fostering strong client relationships. His leadership has been instrumental in expanding Intract’s success across key sectors, including Defence, mining, and aged care, ensuring that every project contributes to the economic and social empowerment of Indigenous communities.

With a deep understanding of the Department of Defence’s construction sector, Luke has developed strong expertise in Defence contract models, procurement pathways, and contract administration. Having progressed through the Partnered Delivery Services (PDS) program into the Capital Facilities and Infrastructure (CFI) division, he has gained extensive knowledge of Defence project delivery requirements. His ability to navigate complex procurement processes and administer contracts to meet Defence compliance standards has been critical to Intract’s ongoing success in the sector.

Beyond his contract administration expertise, Luke has played a significant role in developing and expanding local industry participation across Defence projects. His extensive experience in working with Defence Primes, subcontractors, and Indigenous businesses has helped drive greater inclusion of local suppliers, particularly Indigenous-owned enterprises, into major Defence supply chains. Luke has been instrumental in strengthening procurement pathways that connect local businesses with Defence infrastructure projects, ensuring economic benefits are retained within local communities while supporting sustainable industry growth.