CHAIRMAN: 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, and so she stepped up at the AGM in August 2015. 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 takes to lead HEN in these increasingly difficult times, and Jules does it with such optimism!
SECRETARY:Molly Russell. Molly was elected to committee at the HEN AGM in 2016, after completing two Green Army projects!. She has now fully immersed herself in the role of Secretary with great dedication and intelligence! She has also resumed her studies of Zoology at WSU and handles part-time work. Molly was part of the Green Army team on wetland restoration, and is one of the Wetland Warriors! Her main interests are conservation and restoring the natural environment.
TREASURER:Katrina Saliba. HEN now has come a big step forward to be able to have an experienced book-keeper to manage our grants and donations. Katrina stepped into that role in 2016 and has taken on the main treasurer position which Jim Watson had looked after for several years. Thank you Katrina!
ASSISTANT 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.
VICE-CHAIR and MEMBERSHIP OFFICER: Jocelyn Howden. Jocelyn 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 now also Chair of the Cattai Hills Environment Network [CHEN] newly formed to protect the Cattai wetland complex from inappropriate development.
PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR: Robin Woods. 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 manages the HEN website with much assistance from friends and experts. Her special interests are in the biodiversity of the region,wetlands, and ecological restoration management.
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 expects to see 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“
