Get to know our NSW/Qld Border to Gowrie engagement team
Our stakeholder engagement teams are your link to understanding the 12 sections of Inland Rail. Meet the locally based team supporting our NSW/Qld Border to Gowrie section.
October 3, 2024
Zeb Dawson – Stakeholder and Communications Manager
Zeb recently joined the Inland Rail team in Toowoomba as Stakeholder and Communications Manager – QLD. Zeb grew up on a wheat and sheep farm west of Moree in North West NSW.
After attending boarding school in Toowoomba, he studied agronomy at the University of Queensland – Gatton, and then worked with farmers in both the inner and western downs cropping areas.
In his previous role, Zeb worked in the coal seam gas industry liaising with landholders in the Dalby region to support the construction of gas pipeline infrastructure in the area.
Zeb lives in Toowoomba with his wife Courtney, and two young children aged five and three, and enjoys watching rugby union and playing golf.
Clare Siddins – Stakeholder Engagement Advisor
Clare grew up on a farm near Mungindi in north-west NSW which is where she developed a keen interest in rural issues.
After studying journalism at the University of Canberra, Clare worked for almost 20 years for various Members of Parliament at both state and federal level, including several Cabinet Ministers, all with a particular focus on agriculture, transport and rural and regional development.
Inland Rail has always been part of the conversation and vision throughout this period, so when an opportunity to work at Inland Rail presented itself, Clare jumped at the chance.
Clare now lives in Toowoomba with her husband Cameron and two girls aged 11 and nine and a golden retriever called Buddy.
Mieke Koorts – Stakeholder Engagement Advisor
Mieke grew up in South Africa and now calls Toowoomba home, where she lives with her husband, their one-year-old and two border collies.
Mieke has been with Inland Rail for two years after working at Brisbane City Council’s City Projects Office.
Passionate about her community, Mieke loves exploring local markets and discovering new cafés.
She is a proud supporter of the Bottlebrush Café in Pittsworth and enjoys connecting with local community members to learn about their interests and needs.
Kirsten Elliott
Kirsten grew up in Brisbane and enjoyed visiting family in Southbrook during the school holidays.
She moved to Toowoomba in 2013 and recently bought her first house in the area. In her spare time, she enjoys renovating.
Kirsten joined Inland Rail in January 2023 after a previous career in financial planning.
In her free time, she enjoys playing sport and recently completed the Sunshine Coast half marathon.
Rebecca Murphy
Bec grew up in Hobart but has lived north of Toowoomba on her cattle and cropping farm with her husband and three children for the past 16 years.
She is due to finish her degree in Environmental and Plant Agricultural Science this year.
Bec joined the Inland Rail Stakeholder team in March this year after her previous role as an environmental officer and over a decade as a heavy machinery operator.
Bec is a keen gardener and loves to travel, especially exploring Australia with her family in their caravan.
