Panel of Experts

 Lyn has dedicated more than three decades to the conservation of Australia's dingoes. A lifelong dog enthusiast, she bred champion dogs across numerous breeds and remains a highly respected accredited international all-breeds judge. Her extensive knowledge of domestic dogs led her to recognise that dingoes are fundamentally different in their physical characteristics, behaviour and cognition—an insight that sparked a lifelong commitment to their preservation.

As founder of the Australian Dingo Foundation, Lyn has played a pivotal role in advancing dingo science, mentoring researchers in Australia and internationally, including collaborators from Yale University's Canine Cognition Center. Under her guidance, the Foundation has supported research spanning archaeology, behaviour, biology, cognition, evolution, reproduction, parental care, vocalisations and non-lethal management.

Lyn leads a dedicated volunteer team caring for more than 40 dingoes while delivering education programs, supporting media engagement and advocating for evidence-based dingo conservation. She has also helped drive ground-breaking DNA research that is reshaping understanding of wild dingo populations and challenging long-held misconceptions.

Through unwavering dedication, Lyn has become one of Australia's most influential voices for dingo conservation, working to ensure this iconic apex predator is recognised, respected and protected for future generations.

Euan Ritchie, Professor of wildlife ecology and conservation, leads the Applied Ecology and Conservation Research (AECR) Group, within the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at Deakin University. AECR’s work spans diverse research fields, including behavioural, community, population and landscape ecology, conservation biology, and wildlife management. Their work has a strong focus on the significance of species interactions and ecological functions of Australian mammals, fire, invasive species, and ecosystem management. This research is aimed at more effective environmental policy, management actions, and biodiversity conservation. Euan is also the President of the Australian Mammal Society, a Councillor within the Biodiversity Council, and a passionate and prolific science communicator.

He has:

• published over 200 scientific articles, cited more than 23,000 times
• written over 100 The Conversation articles read over 2.5 million times 
• received the AERA award in 2021 https://www.ecolsoc.org.au/news/professor-euan-ritchie-2021-aera-winner/, the 2024 Eureka Prize for promoting understanding of science and was part of a team that received a Eureka Prize for environmental research in 2013 for work on dingoes. He has also been a Eureka Prize finalist on three other occasions.
• He was listed among the ABC Science Show’s Top 100 Australian Scientists in 2024 and named an      Australian Science Superhero in 2017, by Australia’s Chief Scientist.

 Dr. Kylie Cairns is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), specializing in wildlife and conservation genetics. Her trailblazing work focuses on the genetic makeup of dingoes, investigating their evolutionary history, taxonomy and ecological role in Australia. Dr. Cairns has contributed significantly to understanding the origins and identity of dingoes and their relationship to domestic dogs and wolves. More recently she has begun using environmental DNA to investigate how predators interact with their environment and other species. Her research aims to inform conservation strategies that protect these iconic animals while balancing ecosystem health, biodiversity and agricultural impacts. Kylie is passionate about engaging the public in science and conservation efforts. She frequently collaborates with Indigenous communities to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into her research. In her spare time, she enjoys camping with her family, spending time with her two poodles and gardening. 

For more information about Kylie and her research see: https://www.kyliecairns.com/

 Kelly Ann Blake is a proud Wadawurrung woman honoring Dja Dja Wurrung Kinship connection, small business owner of Kaal Kaal Murrup Cultural Consultancy, Honorary Adjunct Research Fellow, La Trobe University. Kelly Ann Blake shares her cultural journey, knowledge and perspectives on the deep relationship and ongoing cultural connection of Dingoes [Darrwal] to Aboriginal / First Nations people and Country.   

Kelly Ann Blake (Dingo Spirit), lives on Dja Dja Wurrung country in central Victoria, and acknowledges, and pays her continuous respects to Dja Dja Wurrung people and their Country. 

Kelly Ann has authored numerous research publications, including her Masters Thesis: 'Barrat-car-loon ngarrwabi-nhuk burduauan Darrwal baap Kaal' (Reawakening the sleeping cultural knowledges of Dingo in South Eastern Australia). 

Machelle is the founder of Highlands Dingo Rescue Ltd, driven by her passion for dingoes that ignited during her childhood in the Myall Lakes Region of NSW, specifically in Bulahdelah and Hawks Nest. She spent countless days captivated by wild dingoes, laying the foundation for her lifelong commitment to these incredible animals.  With 24 years of experience caring for domestic and wild-born dingoes, she moved to the Pilbara, WA, with her partner 19 years ago. They began rescuing orphaned wild-born pups, which led to the establishment of Desert Dingo Rescue, dedicated to providing care and advocacy for dingoes in need.  Four years ago, they returned to the east coast, bringing five adult dingoes and setting up a puppy care clinic with enclosures for adult dingoes on our five-acre property in Tenterfield, NSW. They currently care for 12 dingoes and have rescued 97 wild-born pups, with more expected as puppy season begins. By monitoring den areas for living parent dingoes, they’ve successfully kept 28 wild-born pups in their natural habitat, ensuring they remain part of the ecosystem.  Their mission also involves raising awareness about the alarming trend of pups being taken from the wild unnecessarily. Each removal disrupts family structures and has detrimental effects on the ecosystem, as dingoes are crucial for maintaining ecological balance.  Over the years, they’ve provided education on dingoes through social media, schools, and communities in WA and NSW.  Machelle would like to express her gratitude to her partner, Ross Cartner, for his invaluable support. We look forward to Machelle sharing her incredible journey at DingoFest and raising awareness about dingo conservation.