With a lifetime career of environmental stewardship, Dougie Baird is hanging up his snorkel and retiring after a remarkable 32 years with the Quicksilver Group.

Doug retires as the company's Environment and Compliance Manager, a position he has spearheaded for nearly 20 years across the company’s Port Douglas, Cairns and Green Island operations, championing environmental management, innovative sustainability initiatives and stewardship programs.

“From managing our Reef Biosearch team of marine biologists in the 90s to the Group’s environmental watchdog, Dougie has been not just an integral part of Quicksilver but also one of the industry’s great personalities and ambassadors,” said Tony Baker, Quicksilver Group Managing Director.

“Dougie’s time in the industry reflects much change. From the boom of the 90s with new and evolving markets, through to threats to the Reef from Crown of Thorns Starfish outbreaks and bleaching events that have created a new era of reef tourism operations that include collaborative and government partnerships for research and conservation initiatives - partnerships he has championed, such as a GBR first in coral restoration projects. 

With so much history and knowledge as the company and industry have evolved, his contribution has been significant - as an interpreter, educator, researcher and conservation manager for so many years and he will be greatly missed. 

We thank Dougie for all he has done for our company and the Great Barrier Reef tourism industry and wish him all the best as he heads into retirement.” 

With the lure of the Great Barrier Reef, it was early 1992 when Dougie, with a background in Marine Science, joined Quicksilver in Port Douglas not long after emigrating from Scotland.

During his time with Quicksilver he has escorted countless high profile guests to visit the Great Barrier Reef, from rock stars, entertainers, comedians, prime ministers, presidents and business leaders - highlights including Scottish comedian Billy Connolly and US President Bill Clinton to name a few.

Joining the company’s Reef Biosearch in 1992, Doug went on to manage the team, expanding interpretive experiences for visitors to the Great Barrier Reef. He was Assistant Manager of Quicksilver’s Port Douglas Marine Operations prior to taking on the then newly formed role of the Group’s Environment and Compliance Manager in 2005.

Over the years, he held seats on a variety of environmental committees and as a sought-after industry media spokesperson and panellist, he has participated in high profile delegations as far flung as China and countless media events.

Pictured left to right: Russell Hore, Dr Glen Burns, Dougie Baird - 100 years of Quicksilver marine biology experience!