Our People

President – Ric Butler 

Founding Supporter of ECOSS.  Volunteers on site 2-3 days per week at ECOSS.  Skilled in business management, and interior design.  Ric was on the board of Upper Yarra Community House (now Cire Services) for 20 years.  Ric volunteers on Yarra Junction Football committee and many more projects.  Ric is also sharing Tiny houses 2 Go business on site at ECOSS.

Vice Chair COM – Kellie Gee

Experienced horticultural practitioner. Worked in numerous nurseries before volunteering at ECOSS. Previously volunteered at CERES and helped set up the nursery there. President of Upper Yarra Landcare- currently situated at ECOSS.

Treasurer COM -Bernie Lobert

Chair of Admin Committee. Previously worked for the Yarra Ranges Council now independently employed. Long time supporter of ECOSS, assists with all events and programs at ECOSS.

Secretary COM– Joe Butler

Member of the Admin Committee and Chair of Community Engagement Committee. Founding supporter of ECOSS. Previously worked in education and disabilities, Joe Butler is the main driver for the Community Garden at ECOSS.

Catherine Aulich- Upper Yarra Valley Book keeping

Manages ECOSS accounts and book-keeping, minutes secretary. Independent book-keeping consultancy business, supporter of ECOSS .

Tom Neil COM-

Natural Building Center instigator, coordinator, dreamer. Runs a series of Natural Building Workshops and Chair Bodging here at ECOSS, and has a private enterprise in the Natural Building Workshop and Tiny houses 2 Go.

Karina Doughty COM- 

President of Warburton Environment, Disabilties Program Facilitator, Earth Educator.  Karina takes Forest Tours in the Upper Yarra Valley Forests and is a wealth of knowledge of the local environment.

Megan Lloyd–  COM

Megan Lloyd is currently undertaking a Diploma of Aboriginal Studies. More recently Meg gained valuable experience in Community development facilitating the Galiwin’ku Women’s Space Inc on Elcho Island for 2 years.

Josh Tucker- COM,

Silvertine Bio-Dynamic Farm co-owner at ECOSS, skilled in farming including Organic and Bio-Dynamic Farming, plumbing, is also an Outdoor Educator. Silvertyne Bio-Dynamic Farm also supply to Beans and Bananas Food Coop which is distributed at ECOSS.

Peter Preuss- COM,

Peter Preuss is a new member of the committee but has been a long time admirer of ECOSS.  He is the coordinating teacher at the Woori Yallock Farm School and has a long history in Environmental Education and Education for Sustainability… He has a tiny vineyard, producers great wine and is a regular stallholder at ECOSS events and markets.  Recently, Peter has planted a small patch of vines at ECOSS to demonstrate the benefits of a unique variety of grape that can be grown organically in the Yarra Valley.

Yarra Ranges Council Representatives – COM

Julian Guess–

Sustainability Officer at YRC where he is engaged in supporting community sustainability programs and Council operations.  He was instrumental in the success of the Warburton Community mini-Hydro project and with ECOSS’s own solar project.  He is also a former President of Permaculture Yarra Valley.

Jessica Rae-

Yarra Ranges Council Program Manager, Coordinator Sustainability.  Jessica coordinates delivery of the sustainability program across Council, from waste education to solar panel installation to water management.

Site Committee:

Chair – Ric Butler, Tom Neil, Josh Tucker, Kellie Gee

Admin Committee:

Chair – Bernie Lobert, Joe Butler, Ric Butler, Catherine Aulich – Accounts

Chelsea McNab – Executive Officer

Organiser of the annual ECOSS Ecotopia Earth Festival and the Sun Fest. Also manages the office, and manages and develops the successful ECOSS School Program and Practical Earth Education Program: in conjunction with Earth Education Officer Kylie Barnes.  Previous wide experience with ecological groups, environment campaigning and NFP organisations. chelsea@ecoss.org.au (Tuesdays,Wednesdays and  Thursdays)

Kylie Barnes–

ECOSS Earth Education and Practical Earth Education Kylie manages the schools programs at ECOSS, including ECOSS Earth Education and Practical Earth Education, delivering the day programs and developing new projects.  This position is funded by FRRR. eartheducation@ecoss.org.au

Leanne Arvanitakis-Hall – Event Coordinator 

Leanne Arvanitakis- Hall brings her expertise in Event organising.  Leanne works closely with Chelsea to apply for grants specialising in Multicultural events and Market organising. Founder and Coordinator of ECOSS’s annual Ngulu Festival. Contact Leanne at ecotopiastalls@ecoss.org.au

John Christie – Crops for Community Coordinator

John Christie co-coordinates the Crops for Community program and facilitates groups and volunteers in the community garden and nursery. He brings a wealth of gardening knowledge and shares his inspiration in the garden with all.

Melanie Daymond – All Abilities Program Facilitator

Melanie is the All Abilities Volunteer Program Facilitator. Melanie has Cert 4 in Disabilities and works as an independent NDIS Provider. Melanie facilitates creative projects designed for the specific abilties of the groups- working to ECOSS Masterplan and the new Crops for Communities to Market Project. allabilities@ecoss.org.au

ECOSS people also include our wonderful ongoing volunteers.  ECOSS wouldn’t be the same without the fantastic energy of the following volunteers and Co-locators:

Warburton Environment-

President of Warburton Environment, and ECOSS COM- Karina runs the Tall Trees activity during ECOSS Earth Education day programs, and coordinates the Recycled Fashion Parade.

Upper Yarra Landcare-

President of Upper Yarra Landcare is Kellie Gee, she volunteers on ECOSS COM volunteers in our Native Nursery, propagating and growing native plants. https://www.facebook.com/groups/upperyarralandcare

The Pottery at ECOSS-

Lucy Pierce is President of The Pottery Studio Yarra Valley, who get involved in events at ECOSS and bring traditional hand skills education to the community.

Silvertine Farm-

Tobias and Josh have Silvertine Farm, they help ECOSS by offering quality volunteering experiences and getting involved in the Earth Education Program at ECOSS

Tonantzin Mexican Chocolate House- 

Fernando of Tonantzin Chocolate, offering delicious chocolate products at our events, bringing richness to ECOSS site hosting Traditional Sweat Lodges and Cacao Ceremonies on site.  Currently developing their Chocolate Production Factory at ECOSS.

And to all our volunteers that come and go, we thank you.

Bushwood Creations.

Shlomit Moria is a powerhouse chainsaw artists creating beautiful timber sculptures.

Melganics:

Melanie Wilson runs her Organic fresh produce business from ECOSS Supplying the Valley Market on Fridays and Beans and Bananas Food Co-op.

To Wesley United and Interchange Outer East:

For all your energy in our Community Garden every week, keeping the space vibrant and fresh.