Sustainable Schools

Eric Bottomley

Eric Bottomley taught geography, economics and environmental science in schools for 20 years, and was then coordinator of CERES Education and Team Leader at CERES for  the following 20 years. He was concurrently a sessional lecturer and tutor at the Graduate School of Environmental Science, Monash, and at the University of PNG. Formal qualifications include M.Env.Sc., B.A, Environmental Auditing Training Certificate, Teacher Training Certificate.

Eric has written several books on Development and Global Warming and designed much of the original CERES Education program and Sustainable Schools Initiative in Victoria. Major preoccupations are: managing a team of ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic facilitators working with 500 sustainable schools across Victoria; and consulting for CERES- type ecocentre developments in other Australian locations. .

Lorna Pettifer

Lorna became interested in the environment at a young age, starting with invertebrate surveys at the age of three. She was also dragged by her parents to every camping site and National Park in Australia before the age of nine, influencing her love for the outdoors. Lorna studied BSci/BA (Honours). Her Zoology honours project led her to the Murray River Red Gum Floodplains, where she analysed bird biodiversity and habitat complexity. As an environmental advocate she has worked in National Parks, Environmental Consultancies, Universities, NGOs and Wildlife reserves as a conservationist, educator, tour guide, GIS Consultant and researcher. A highlight during this time was working overeseas in Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons. After completing her Masters of Environment, Lorna found her niche at CERES. Lorna is working as the ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic Delivery Manager under the careful eye of Eric the Great! In her spare time she squeezes in some time to play music with friends.

Anthony Mangelsdorf

Anthony first really connected with the environment as a secondary student while bushwalking in the Alpine National Park. While chasing ways to pursue this passion professionally, Anthony has completed degrees in Planning & Design, and Architecture, and Graduate Diplomas in Outdoor Education and Secondary Education. This has led to work in architecture, outdoor education, design and technology education, environmental education and local community sustainability. Anthony is particularly interested in the ways that people and communities connect with each other and with the natural environment.

Briony Tronson

Briony has had a varied background, working for a number of not-for-profits such as Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Orchestra Victoria. She has completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree - majoring in Media and Psychology as well as a Graduate Certificate in Arts Management as part of a Masters.  She is passionate about the natural world, which is often expressed in her photography (her other passion). Briony joined the SEOG team in 2008, and is busy working as Incursions Manager, coordinating workshops to go out to schools. She is really inspired by the power of environmental education, and the impact it can have on students, schools and the broader community.

Kirsty Costa

Kirsty has extensive experience working and volunteering in sustainability and social justice organisations such as Greenpeace, Australian Conservation Found and Oxfam Community Aid Abroad. She also has a Bachelor of Arts (Politics and Media) as well as a Bachelor of Teaching (Honours). Kirsty worked as an integration aide in a secondary school and was a primary school teacher for almost 4 years. In 2009, Kirsty joined the SEOG team after coordinating the ResourceSmart Core and Waste modules at her own school. Her life-long goal is to inspire and empower people to “care for each other and care for the Earth”.

Matthew Navaretti

Matthew Navaretti is the CECV Sustainability Education Facilitator (Catholic Education Placed Teacher) working at CERES. His personal connection and fascination with the natural world led him to study science (B. Sc.), arts (B. A.) and then become a primary and secondary school teacher (Grad. Dip. Ed. & M Ed (Melb.)). He has experience as a science and environmental educator, including at the Royal Botanic Gardens, and now works with CERES and the Catholic Education Office Melbourne to deliver the AuSSI Vic program and support Education for Sustainability in Catholic schools in Melbourne and across Victoria. His role includes teaching students and teachers who visit CERES about social and environmental sustainability.

Michelle Sanahon

Having completed a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Michelle decided that the IT world wasn’t for her. She started working at CERES as a Receptionist in 2004, and today is part of the SEOG Team as Administrative Manager. Michelle has learnt a lot in the realms of sustainability during her years at CERES. Apart from working in an inspirational place, she enjoys working in a team who gets out there and helps schools all over Victoria become sustainable. Michelle hopes to do further studies, but is yet to figure out where her true passions lie.

Sally Jensen

Sally is a Resource Smart AuSSI Vic Core Facilitator in Victoria's Far South-West region. She is also undertaking her PhD at Melbourne University on the role of the Imagination in EfS. Sally has a Bachelors degree from the VCA, completed her Honours in Townsville and earned a Dip Ed in 2004. Prior to joining the SEOG team, Sally worked as a Secondary School Teacher in 2 regional schools and at CERES. She has also worked as a tour guide in Australia's Far North and a volunteer in Calcutta, India. Sally gets a thrill out of the collaborative, integrated and progressive innovations that regenerate school life as they become sustainable.

Sue Clowes

Sue joined the SEOG team in 2008. Following many years as a secondary Visual Arts and Crafts teacher Sue initiated a career change into environmental education. She has developed programs, facilitated and worked on many collaborative sustainability programs with government, not for profit and other organisations. Working with schools and their communities to bring about behaviour change and re-connect with the environment has been extremely rewarding for Sue.

Carolyn Shurey

Carolyn is a ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic facilitator and our Local Council Liaison. She has worked in education and training for over 20 years. After gaining her Bachelor of Arts (Education), Carolyn taught in primary schools for seven years. She then worked in a variety of environmental, social justice and peace organisations. Among other qualifications, Carolyn has Adanced Certificates in Outdoor Recreation and Groupwork-Facilitation as well as Cert4 in Assessment and Workplace Training. She ran her own facilitation and training business for 5 years, specialising in environmental education, adult training and strategic planning. Carolyn also worked for Nillumbik Shire Council for six years as the Environmental Education Team Leader. She is passionate about walking the talk and aims to educate and empower people to help build more sustainable communities for future generations.