Eighteen years ago, a young Paul Sinclair joined ACF and imagined a better future for nature and people. Now, after some mammoth wins, Paul is starting a new chapter, and we are saying farewell to this tenacious campaigner, passionate nature lover, and a very funny, kind leader.
Where it began: taking the Murray’s case to the steps of Victorian Parliament — and the water that followed.
Paul’s greatest hits
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Water 2008–2012
3,200 billion litres returned to the Murray–Darling
Led the campaign to return precious waters to the Murray Darling River. He befriended chefs, farmers and fisherfolk, advocated to governments and fronted up to the media. The result was 3,200 billion litres – six times more water than is in Sydney Harbour – recovered and returned to the river.
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Wetlands 2010
400 million litres returned to Hattah Lakes
Dreamt up and delivered ACF’s Just Add Water campaign, which resulted in 400 million litres of water being returned to the Lake Hattah wetlands, helping to restore critically endangered ecosystems.
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Forests 2014
Tasmania’s World Heritage forests kept protected
Helped stop then Prime Minister Tony Abbott from delisting World Heritage listed forests in Tasmania.
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Country 2014
100,000 hectares returned to Traditional Owners
Helped deliver 100,000 hectares of Cape York back to Traditional Owners for conservation and kickstarted a First Nations led Country visit program with the Olkola people.
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Nature laws 2016–2025
Instrumental in the long fight for strong nature laws
Was instrumental in the long fight for strong Australian nature laws. He was there when initial reform discussions kicked off ten years ago, and he was there in December 2025 when the new laws were tabled.
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Community always
Real influence over decision makers and MPs
Radically revolutionised how ACF engages with elections, mobilising community groups to have real influence over decision makers and MPs.
Paul’s service to ACF and our country has been next level incredible.
Eighteen years ago, Paul and I sat around the table at ACF Council meetings as the two youngsters in a sea of older folk. We imagined a better future where both nature and people thrived. In the 18 years since Paul has worked tirelessly to make sure that a better future is so much closer than it was back then.
Stephen Lightfoot · ACF’s Vice President
In a world where individual action sometimes feels like a drop in the ocean, Dr Paul Sinclair is a prime example of the impact one person can have.
For Paul, campaigning isn’t just about the big moments, but about all the small steps that many people need to take to make change happen.
Four hundred million litres of donated water finding their way home to the Hattah Lakes, a younger Paul Sinclair on hand to see them in.
Dan Scaysbrook, Head of Community Organising, has worked closely with Paul over the years.
“For someone so senior, Paul was always willing to do whatever needed to be done,” Dan said, “Whether he was facing up to the media, speaking in Parliament, or picking up the tongs to barbeque at a local community event, he represented that real ‘all hands on deck’ culture that we need to win campaigns.”
Our community loves Paul. No matter how hard or gnarly the work was, he always found the humour. This work can only work if it’s joyful. Paul exudes joy.
Dan Scaysbrook · Head of Community Organising
As Campaigns Director, Paul was creative and adaptive, always looking to build strong foundations for ACF’s future.
“Paul started the community organising program from scratch,” Dan shared, “When the issues we engage with are so urgent, it was brave and ambitious to commit to building long-term power. We’ve seen this program grow and progress into something mighty.
“For example, ACF’s local community group (as a part of the Toondah Alliance), were instrumental in stopping an apartment complex from being built on the Ramsar-protected wetlands of Toondah Harbour.
“The ACF Community groups run hundreds of events per year and are a constant presence with deep connections to each other, and decision makers. This power wouldn’t exist without Paul’s leadership.”
Paul at Count Me In events in Melbourne - bringing supporters together and growing the ACF community, year after year.
Paul passionately making the case for strong nature laws at a community barbeque in Sydney, 2019 - a fight he saw all the way through to the new laws being tabled six years later.
Paul also added another vital string to ACF’s bow, creating the Corporate Campaigns team.
Paul recognised that achieving lasting environmental change meant working beyond governments alone. Business has enormous influence—for better or worse—and ACF needed the expertise to both work with companies driving positive change and hold those standing in the way to account. He was instrumental in championing that vision and building a team that has become an essential part of ACF’s campaigning strength.
Jolene George · Head of Corporate Advocacy
Formidable.
Beyond all these incredible achievements, Paul was an extremely well-loved leader who played a key role in building ACF’s strong culture.
Paul’s leadership reminds us that strategy and people are never competing priorities. The best outcomes come when you lead with both your head and your heart.
Astha Batra · Campaigns Project Manager
Paul and ACF’s Freya Cole at LANA, a regenerative farm near Uralla, NSW, planning their tactics for the Platy Project.
Former ACF CEO Kelly O’Shanassy worked hand in glove with Paul for her entire time at ACF.
Paul is one of Australia’s most outstanding environmentalists and campaigners. He is passionate, inspiring, smart, and as resilient as they come. He is also one of the nicest, funniest, quirkiest humans you will ever meet and one of my favourite people.
Kelly O’Shanassy · former ACF CEO
On behalf of everyone at ACF, we thank Paul for his tenacity, delightful (and sometimes hilariously unexpected) jokes, warmth and dedication to protecting nature and climate. Our threatened animals and plants would be in far worse shape without Paul by their side. We can’t wait to see what he does next.