Marine Rescue NSW Board of Directors

Appointed
22 October 2025,  3 year term

Nola Watson has extensive board and executive experience across the private sector, government and not-for-profit
organisations. She is currently Chair of Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors and a Director of CareSuper, and
previously held leadership roles as President and Chair of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
and Business NSW. Nola spent 15 years in executive leadership roles at Insurance Australia Group (IAG). Prior to this, she held Senior Executive Service positions in both the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments, including with NSW Police. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a former Telstra Australian Businesswoman of the Year.

Appointed
3 May 2024, 2 year term

Hannah Damkar PSM is the Executive Director, Partnerships and Engagement at the Premier’s Department and is Chair of the Premier’s Department WHS Committee. In January 2020, Hannah sought out a secondment to the Bushfire Recovery Taskforce to assist the community impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires. This turned into an 18-month secondment as Communications Director at Resilience NSW, before being appointed to her former role as Director of Communications at the Department of Premier and Cabinet. She is involved in the NSW Government’s Senior Leadership Aboriginal Mentoring Program and is a mentor in the NSW Government Young Professionals Network program.

Elected

22 November 2025, 2 year term

Keith Smith brings more than 30 years of leadership experience to his role as Regional Director, Northern Rivers. Since joining Marine Rescue Point Danger in 2019, he has served as Unit Commander, Training Officer, and in several key administrative roles. His leadership has given him strong insight into the challenges faced by volunteer units and the growing demands of marine rescue operations. Keith’s corporate background includes leading national sales and transport companies, one of which was recognised by regulators as Australia’s Best Practice Long-Distance Transport Operation. He is a Member of the Institute of Community Directors, an ASIC Registered Agent, and a recognised ACNC “Responsible Person.”

Elected

20 November 2021, 2 year term
25 November 2023, 2 year term

A member of Marine Rescue Forster Tuncurry, and former member of the Marine Rescue Crowdy Harrington unit, Roman (Ray) Mazurek joined the then Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol in March 2004, and was elected to the Board in December 2021. As a marine engineer, Mr Mazurek worked on a range of small ships for the Australian Army, before moving on to civilian employment where he worked for several large air conditioning companies. With the decline of the domestic air conditioning industry, Mr Mazurek ran a successful heavy haulage and earthmoving business until his retirement. Mr Mazurek brings considerable experience to the role of Director, notably his small ships military experience, 17 years’ experience as a Marine Rescue volunteer and personal experience as a boat owner. As a MRNSW volunteer, Mr Mazurek has served in roles as diverse as Divisional Commander, Watch Officer and Coxswain, giving him a broad understanding of the needs of members, and he still heads out regularly to help boaters in need.

Elected

25 November 2023, 2 year term

Captain Robin Heath has been appointed as Hunter Central Coast Regional Director for a two-year term. Robin joined Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie in 2021 and in early 2023 gained the rating of Coxswain. He is a recently retired Marine Pilot with over 40 years’ experience in the maritime domain in Canada and Australia. He currently sits on the Board of the Canadian Coast Guard College Alumni and was the technical advisor to the Sydney Pilot Service Board. Captain Heath brings a wealth of skills, knowledge and experience to the Board and looks forward to making a greater contribution to the strategic objectives of Marine Rescue NSW.

Elected

23 November 2024, 2 year term

Peter Steigrad has been a committed member of Marine Rescue NSW for over 15 years, holding leadership roles at Marine Rescue Middle Harbour as Unit Commander (2018–2024) and Deputy Unit Commander (2016–2018). A Marine Rescue NSW Master, he holds an AMSA Certificate of Competence M<24M and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. He brings extensive business governance experience as Chair or Director for organisations including the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Australian International Hotel School and was the Trustee of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia and Chair of Indigenous Community Volunteers. A Foundation Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, he also served on the State Council (1990–1996).  His dedication to Marine Rescue NSW has earned him a Premier’s Citation (2021) and a Commissioner’s Citation (2024).

Elected

23 November 2024, 2 year term

Elected

23 November 2024, 2 year term