Executive Committee 2011

Executive Committee Convenor - Mark Caddey

A message from Mark:

"For the majority of my career in education I have been in the area of Environmental Education, firstly at Taronga Zoo Education Centre as an Education Officer and then as the Education Manager with responsibility for both Taronga and Western Plains Zoo education Centres. My current role is the DET Sustainable Schools Coordinator.
From the time I began studying Agricultural Science at Hawkesbury College (now UWS) to now I believed it vital to understand that EE is all about helping people. If we can help people understand more about the places they live or work, grow food, obtain resources or hold as special we can help them value and respect all of those places.
There is an additional challenge for us as EE practitioners. We must use all of our collective skills to reach as many people with behaviour changing experiences as there are imperatives of time facing us. Through our Association both state and national, our partners and our programs and through our personal interests we need to take on these challenges and seek every opportunity to engage the whole community."   

Executive Committee Deputy Convenor - Sue Saxby 

A message from Sue:

"For the past eleven years I have had the privilege to be a member of the tribe of Environmental Educators within the DET.  At Awabakal EEC I work to raise the environmental awareness of students and teachers and develop in them a genuine connection or sense of place and responsibility that can be transferred into action.  A lesson long ago understood and practiced by the traditional custodians of the land.
I am constantly amazed, inspired and humbled by the growing network of committed people who work both formally and informally towards this common aim. Throughout this time the Environmental Education Movement State and National has matured and grown, which is heartening.  I hope to continue to contribute towards networking and recognition and promotion of achievement in the field of Environmental Education as a member of this State Committee."

Treasurer - Sue Martin

Sue currently works at the Local Government and Shires Associations and works with the educators in the 152 local government areas as they link, learn and share together. She has been the treasurer for NSW AAEE since 2004 and enjoys working with the NSW AAEE team. As a community person I try to have a “hands” on approach to “walk the talk” and am actively involved in Cattai Landcare and the Environment Centre at BHSC. Sue coordinates the NSW Environmental Educator of the Year Award, is dedicated to celebrating our successes as environmental educators and hopes every opportunity will foster the health of our profession.

Regional Representative (Hunter) – Carolyn Gillard

Carolyn currently working as a teacher for the Department of Education & Training at the Wetlands Environmental Education Centre, which is located at Hunter Wetlands Centre. She believe students need to contact personally with the natural environment to develop empathy with it and is has a firm commitment to education and in particular environmental education in schools.

Regional Representative (Hunter) - Trish Donnelly

Trish currently works as Sustainanbility Officer at Cessnock Council. She has been involved in AAEE for 6 years ago and am now interestred in strengthening the Hunter network.

Regional Representative (South Coast) – Doug Reckord

Doug currently works at Bournda Environmental Education Centre, NSW Department of Education and Training and is involved with
AAEE becuase it is a great way to network with other environmental educators and provides fantastic, valuable, professional learning opportunities.
 

Regional Representative (North Coast) – Joelle Bridger

"I have celebrated the environment for many years and became connected to work about, in and for the environment through the Central Coast of NSW coastal reserves walks with my parents as a child.
I have been concerned with advancing solutions to secure the sustainable use of Australia’s natural resources of land, water, biodiversity conservation and energy through various techniques, which also listen and use the wisdom of the Elders of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage of Australia and other Elder groups. I have a strong sense of social justice and work in various organizations to empower community members of all ages socially and environmentally and assist in women’s advocacy.
I have been working as an environmental educator in and with various government and non-government groups over the years as a teacher, facilitator, and trainer, and within my business Environmental Encounters.  This work has focused on attitude change and actions to improve daily practices to increase sustainability solutions within communities – such as the pilot Sustainable Schools NSW program. I  have been a regional representative member of AAEE for a few years and like to maintain the connections between regional and city environmental educators.  I collaborate on projects with regional environmental educator groups like Mid Rivers Group of Environmental Educators (MRGEE), the Northern Rivers Group of Environmental Educators (NRGEE), Students Using Sustainable Strategies (SUSS) group in the northern rivers and the newly formed Port Macquarie educators group."
    

General Committee - Jane Smith

Jane is Executive Officer of the Community Environment Network (CEN), a not-forprofit, community organisation covering Gosford, Wyong and Lake Macquarie. CEN runs number of projects which include a significant community and / or school EE emphasis - including Waterwatch, Land for Wildlife, and community based rehabilitation projects. Jane is currently establishing a Marine Discovery Centre.

Regional Representative (Central West) – Meg Leathard

Meg is a DET environmental education centre tribal member. Her teaching career has taken her from teaching visual arts on the North Coast to teaching the Gamilaraay language at Boggabilla and Toomelah and now to Environmental education in the Warrumbungles. Meg tries to work anyway possible to change human behaviours for a more ecologically sustainable future.   

Regional Representative (North West) – Judy Lee

Judy Lee – TAFE NSW, New England Institute . Long time  teacher of Environmental Studies and more recently Sustainability units in General Education courses.  Joined AAEE to take advantage of networking opportunities with other Environmental Educators  and to gain both  motivation and inspiration for achieving change.. Currently facilitating community engagement though a garden project at the Gunnedah campus and  as a member of a local  Land Management organisation.    

Sector Representative (NGO/Youth) – Ahri Tallon

Ahri is 19 years old and believes he never had a choice about his passion for sustainability because he was subjected to Environmental Science lectures at a foetal age while his parents were studying at Southern Cross University. At the beginning of 2010 Ahri started University at Macquarie University studying Arts and Laws. He now acts as the Member and Partner Liaison for the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC), leads AYCC’s Education advocacy and co-convenes Macquarie Uni Environmental Collective.

Sector Representative (NGO) – Sarah Carter

Sarah is currently managing the Greening Australia Green Corps in the NSW and ACT regions. Green Corps, a youth development program with environmental and community outcomes, provides opportunities for young people to develop skills, knowledge in NRM, participate in the workforce and receive nationally acrediated training from the Conservation and Land Management training package. She is committed to environmental sustainability education, in particular providing opportunities for young people to receive quality training   

Sector Representative (Sydney/Local Government) – Niki Carey

Niki currently works for the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW as the Assistant Strategy Manager - Environment. She is a member of AAEE NSW to connect with and learn from other environmental educators, and to help progress our profession.    

Melissa Sellen

Melissa Sellen is an environmental educator with experience working with both children and adults. Since completing her Master of Environmental Education, she has worked for well known environmental not-for-profit organisations Planet Ark and the Nature Conservation Council of NSW developing school resources and community programs to engage everyday Australians in caring for our planet and incorporating sustainable practices into their daily lives.
Melissa has experience working for both State and Local Government and is currently the Environmental Education Officer at Woollahra Municipal Council.

Sector Representative (Sydney/Local Government) - Jasmine Payget

Representative on State Committee (CEE) - Neil Dufty