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Our Staff

Ben Cropley

After completing a motor mechanic’s apprenticeship in country Victoria Ben Cropley served in the Royal Australian Navy from 1963 to 1972 as a naval airman prior to joining the Port of Melbourne Authority’s Port Emergency Service in 1972. From 1972 until the present day he has been engaged full on emergency response activities, including oil spill response operations, with the Port of Melbourne Authority and later Skilled Maritime Services and the Oil Response Company of Australia (ORCA).  Ben is ORCA’s Chief Executive Officer.

Narelle Ward

Narelle Ward has over 20 years experience in office administration and management.

As the Oil Response Company of Australia’s (ORCA) Administration and Finance Manager Narelle is responsible to the Chief Executive Officer for the day-to-day administrative and financial management of the company’s activities.

Mark Jenneys

Mark Jenneys is a qualified shipwright and shipwright surveyor and Master Class 4.

Mr Jenneys is ORCA’s State Manager for South Australia. Prior to joining ORCA in 2008 he was employed by the South Australian government. As the marine and harbours department’s Marine Operations Supervisor he was responsible for the coordination of all maintenance on State and AMSA owned spill response equipment in South Australia. He was also the South Australian Training Coordinator responsible for all oil spill response training in the State and he was the Incident Controller for all marine pollution emergency response operations within the State.

Ray Lipscombe

Ray Lipscombe served in the Royal Australian Navy from 1964 to 1973 as a radio operator prior to joining the Australian Public Service in mid-1973. From 1981 until his retirement in 2006 he was engaged full time on oil spill related matters with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

As Manager Operations with AMSA he was responsible for the operational management of Australia's National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil (National Plan), this included being the appointed on scene co-ordinator for major oil pollution incidents for which AMSA had combat and statutory agency responsibility.

John Elliott

John Elliott has been ORCA’s Senior Technical Adviser since 2004.  From 1989 until 1996 he was engaged full time on oil spill related matters with the Federal Department of Transport and later AMSA.

During his tenure with first the Department and later the Authority’s marine pollution unit he was responsible for a range of matters associated with AMSA’s then significant level of equipment holdings.

Walter Stuart

Captain Walter (Wal) Stuart is a former Master Mariner who sailed with the Adelaide Steamship Company, John Manners and Company of Hong Kong and the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand across deck officer levels from cadet officer through to Master during his seagoing service.

After leaving the sea Captain Stuart worked ashore in positions ranging from Assistant Marine Superintendent, Savage River Mines in Port Latta, Tasmania through to Assistant and Deputy Harbour Master and Harbour Master positions in a number of ports, including Newcastle, NSW and Devonport, Tasmania, before taking up a position with the South Australian Department of Marine and Harbor’s.

Peter Hinksman

Captain Peter Hinksman is a former Master Mariner who sailed with BHP and ASP Ship Management at deck officer levels from cadet officer through to Master during his seagoing service. His experience includes sailing as Master and Chief Officer on bulk, product tanker, ro-ro, chemical, container and scientific research ships.

Captain Hinksman is a Marine Consultant with ORCA.

Greg Beck

Greg Beck served in the Royal Australian Navy as signalman for 20 years from 1961 until 1981 where he attained the rank of Petty Officer prior to joining the Australian Public Service.  He has been ORCA’s Training Consultant since 2004.

From 1991 until his retirement in 2002 he was engaged full time on oil spill related matters with AMSA as the Authority’s Operations and Training Coordinator.

Sammy Galea

Sammy Galea has been employed by ORCA for seven years, firstly as a casual employee and since 2007 as a permanent employee of the company.  He is a currently employed within the company as a Senior Responder.

Since 1996 Mr Galea has attended over 500 Tier 1 oil spills in Victoria when employed by Melbourne Port Services, Skilled Maritime Services and ORCA.

Peter Thomson

Peter Thomson has been employed by ORCA for twelve years.  He is a currently employed within the company as a Safety Officer and Senior Responder.

During his employment with ORCA Mr Thomson has attended approximately 1,000 Tier 1 oil spills in Victoria.  He has also participated as a responder to Tier 2/3 spills, including the Pacific Adventurer incident in Queensland where he worked as a beach cleanup supervisor.

Anton Jeandet

Anton Jeandet has been employed by ORCA for six years.  He is a currently employed within the company as a Supervisor and Senior Responder.

Since 2004 Mr Jeandet has attended approximately 500 Tier 1 oil spills in Victoria.  He has also participated as a responder to Tier 2/3 spills, including the Pacific Adventurer incident in Queensland where he worked as a beach cleanup supervisor.