OFFICE BEARERS
HEN CHAIR
Courtney McGregor is passionate about diverting waste from landfill. For over 12 years she has created and delivered change programs for major corporations so that they can recycle significant tonnes of waste. She has done this for major airlines, stadia, events and the hospitality and tourism industries.
She has also been trained to deliver Certificate IV Level Sustainability courses. In three years she taught over 500 chefs how to successfully implement and monitor sustainability programs in their businesses.
Currently, Courtney is the Sustainability Adviser to ANZ Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park with a focus on creating strategies for new programs, as well as, monitoring and improving their existing waste management practices.
Through HEN Courtney is keen to work with the local community and Council to make positive changes in reducing our waste. In particular she is passionate about tackling the food waste problem head on and influencing consumers to make more sustainable food choices.
VICE-CHAIR, PUBLIC OFFICER, MEMBERSHIP OFFICER:
Jocelyn Howden is passionate about protecting the natural environment. She was instrumental in the creation of Glenorie Wildlife Refuge, an area of around 80 ha which preserves local flora, birds, reptiles, insects and mammal species in a wildlife corridor between two creeks. Jocelyn is a teacher by training and registered foster carer. She has worked for the Greens, The Wilderness Society and CSIRO. “I joined HEN as I see it providing locals with an opportunity to help protect the biodiversity, farmland and clean air and water of the Hawkesbury region. Jocelyn is also a member of the Cattai Hills Environment Network [CHEN] formed to protect the Cattai wetland complex from inappropriate development.
SECRETARY:
Christine Watson joined the team to much acclaim at our 2017 AGM and has been hard at work assisting on the waste campaign with the Responsible Cafés BYO coffee cup project in our towns. Her background as a former head teacher of science and sustainability is going to be a huge asset to the HEN team.
TREASURER
Jim Watson. Jim is an active HEN member and co-ordinator of Scheyville Community Group. Formed in 2008, its principal objective was total elimination of African Olive in the Scheyville NP..a huge order and one which is now reclaiming acres of bushland from a serious invasive weed. Jim has maintained this team in collaboration with the staff of Scheyville, and a contract team from Muru Mittagar, winning further grants over the years.
SHARON GRECH
Sharon Gretch is a new addition to our Committee in 2018. She is passionate about the reuse, up-cycling and recycling of items to save from landfill. Sharon is a Justice of the Peace, has 30 years administration experience and is a previous small business owner. She has lived in the Hawkesbury for 20 years and most recently has become the co-ordinator of Hawkesbury Boomerang Bags, a great initiative to encourage people to bring their own bag when shopping (and avoid taking a plastic one).
RICHIE BENSON
Richie joined our team in 2017 bringing expertise in Natural Resource Management (NRM). Once working in NRM across 3,400km2 of Western Sydney as a ‘Biosecurity Weed Control Officer’ for Hawkesbury River County Council, Richie understands the wide range of issues we face today and into the future.
Richie is now part of the great team at National Parks and Wildlife Service and is employed as a Senior Field Officer – Bush Regeneration. This allows Richie to continue to work across a broad area of Western Sydney.
He is the founder the ‘Cumberland Reach Landcare Group’ which works to restore the banks of the mighty Hawkesbury River at Cumberland Reach.
In 2017, Richie received the “2017 Environmental Volunteer of the Year” award after his energetic contribution to voluntary environmental protection across the Hawkesbury.
JULES WRIGHT
Her studies in environmental management and climate change at WSU Hawkesbury as well as her studies amongst academics in Uppsala Sweden certainly fitted Jules well for her role as Chair of HEN for the past two years. Her active connections with other groups wider afield than Hawkesbury, for instance in the Walk 4 Water campaign has been of great advantage to HEN. We appreciate the work it has taken to lead HEN in these increasingly difficult times, and Jules has done it with such optimism!
SALLY-ANN EATHER
A current Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security student at Western Sydney University, Sally-ann is passionate about preserving and showcasing the Hawkesbury’s agricultural and environmental landscapes along with the rich history as the “Food Bowl”. With other interestes in soil regeneration and waste reduction and management, especialy food waste, Sally-ann looks forward to establishing her career in and around the peri-urban fringes of Sydney, to enjoy her family ties and the sense of community these areas have to offer.
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Former Committee Members:
Mary Lyons-Buckett. Mary has qualifications in Science and Law having worked in the field of scientific research, primarily microbiology. Mary has been involved in many issues relating to the local environment, particularly the health of the Hawkesbury River over the last few decades. In January 2017 Mary was elected as Mayor of Hawkesbury Council where she has overseen many changes resulting from the input of a new council team.
Mary strongly believes that environmental protection is an essential part of building strong, healthy communities. ‘The vulnerability of the beautiful Hawkesbury area requires extra vigilance in ensuring the natural attributes and character are preserved and valued – I believe the creation of HEN provides a potent vehicle to make significant achievements in the area of sustainability.’
Danielle Wheeler. Danielle is a scientist and Permaculturist with lots of experience working amongst community groups in the Hawkesbury. She is a wife and mother, an experienced public speaker and has skills to ensure evidence-based approaches to community engagement, climate change, and rebuilding pride in the Hawkesbury. In January 2017 Danielle was elected to Hawkesbury Council. Her passion for a diverse and environmentally sustainable community is already at work. Congratulations!!
Jade Paton. Jade joined HEN in 2016 whilst she was supervisor of the Green Army wetland team stage 3. Her team held her in great esteem and affection as she undertook some delicate interactions with wetland landowners and assisted the education around wetland protection. She is passionate about looking after the planet and nature. Out of the operations, she and the team decided to form Wetland Warriors “Does our natural environment calm your nerves, do you like getting your hands dirty, would you like to be a voice for wetlands, meet some super rad humans and call yourself a Wetland Warrior? We are always looking to expand our team, so if this makes you excited and you are between 18 – 35 please pm us at Wetland Warriors-Hawkesbury”
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ROBIN WOODS
WETLANDS:
Robin is a grandmother and former science school-teacher, now retired, who was a founding member of Hawkesbury Rainforest Network Landcare group. It aimed to educate the community about local ecosystems in the Grose Vale-Kurrajong area. The group partnered with many organisations and agencies in 2006, to present a community forum at UWS on the Hawkesbury environment and the land and lifestyle choices of the community. Robin’s special interests are in the biodiversity of the region,wetlands, and ecological restoration management.
