Knowledge Works Program

Emma Haswell's work has featured on '60 Minutes', 'Australian Story' and the '730 Report'. She has appeared on many other current affairs programs and been reported widely by the national and state print media.

As Director of the Brightside Farm Sanctuary in Tasmania, Emma Haswell spoke to well over 5000 students last year. Her achievements include the alignment of Tasmanian animal husbandry regulation for pigs with current European standards.

Emma Haswell's argument for ethical animal husbandry practice is highly persuasive. Her courageous personal testament to the capacity of individuals to manifest change is inspirational.

She says that "We have the power within us to make things right. I want to share that experience." She also explains, "A number of Tasmania's most prestigious schools bring me in to talk about leading beyond authority. I guess the teachers who ask me are seeing beyond the fact that I am trespassing. They are seeing that radical action has to be taken in order to improve the life of animals".

By popular demand, Emma has been reinvited regularly to address a number of secondary schools, tertiary institutions and the general public. In addition to educating students about leadership and advocacy, she has been a keynote speaker during sustainability week activities, has addressed various public gatherings and groups (e.g. the University of Melbourne Animal Protection Society) and will also be addressing other tertiary students at Monash University as part of the sustainability component of their course in the near future.

An inspirational speaker who not only conveys vital information about animal welfare but also directly deals with core matters concerned with effective advocacy and leadership.

Interview with Mr Noel Thomas, principal of Toorak College about the invitation of Emma to his school.

Madeleine Pitt lives on Phillip Island within walking distance to the large mutton bird (shearwater) colony on Cape Woolamai. After five years living on Mornington Peninsula where she was a wildlife carer with a permit for a shelter that housed possums, echidnas, turtles, lizards and especially birds of all feathers. Madeleine developed particular interest and skills for rescuing, caring and rehabilitation of seabirds. Recently, she featured on the 'Penguin Island' series on ABC1.

In 2009, Madeleine relocated her shelter to Phillip Island where she works as a volunteer wildlife carer. She regularly feeds the pelicans at San Remo and speaks to onlooking tourists about the pelicans, gulls and shearwaters (mutton birds) that frequent the area.

This year she is doing two wildlife volunteer placements in South Africa. For six weeks she will work at a seabird rescue centre at Cape Town where the main focus is on preservation of the South African penguin – now on the endangered list (2010). The second placement for two weeks is at Moholoholo (further north near Kruger Park) where injured, poisoned or orphaned wildlife are taken. The park is renowned for its work with leopards and cheetahs in which it specialises.

Madeleine is available to speak in schools.

Catherine Manning has led the community through various environmental and social campaigns, including as founder and director of the Southern Victoria Community Action Group concerned about the impacts of the Port of Hastings development, and as Founding Director of the children's advocacy group Say No 4 Kids, campaigning to remove pornography from children's view and access in the public domain. Catherine is a facilitator and presenter with Enlighten Education, presenting a range of in-schools workshops for girls including self-esteem, body image and media literacy. She is also secretary of the Blue Wedges Coalition and President of the Cardinia Township Association.

Catherine delivers a powerful, engaging and fun filled presentation, empowering others to stand up for their rights and the environment by providing an 'advocacy guidebook' and encouraging critical thinkers and discerning consumers.

Topics covered:

Grassroots advocacy and activism

Southern Brown Bandicoots in my backyard - protecting a protected species

Community - where we've been and where we're at and where we need to go

Finding your voice - the power of one

Planning for a successful campaign

Considerate consumption

The Media

V.I.P's - Very Interesting Politics.

Family business J & A Pty. Brandsema Ltd. is the largest tomato grower in Tasmania. Marcus Brandsema's research has the potential to modify the ways in which tomatoes and other hot house crops are grown sustainably around world.

Marcus recently won the Tasmania Quality Assured (TQA) Australia global insights award for 2010. TQA grants are awarded to businesses committed to food safety, quality assurance and environmental management. Marcus will use the grant to study biomass gassification for powering greenhouses inclusive of technology in use in India. More information about this can be found at here which Marcus will personally visit while in India.

J & A Brandsema uses LPG and wood waste to create both heat and Co2. The business currently burns LPG in order to get both the heat, but also the Co2 to improve yield and productivity. The wood waste boiler provides a "base" heating load. The amount of energy produced with wood waste is similar to that of LPG, however, the net carbon emission is much less.

The technology of gasification allows the producer to gain both the Co2, as well as heat, by use of a "bio" fuel. Gassification can also be used to generate electricity. Traditionally, electricity generation by use of a bio-fuel, meant it had to be burnt in a steam boiler, and then steam used to run a turbine to create electricity. This has some major drawbacks, including expensive infrastructure, the need for attended/licensed boilers, as well as the possible obstacles of burning the bio mass involved (fuel dependant).

The fuel source can include many current waste products, including, peach pips, grape marc, sugar cane residue, macadamia shells or other wood waste.

As yet, the technology has not been taken up in Australia. However, with the introduction of carbon tax, there may well be many industries looking at energy alternatives.

Joanne Ludbrook is the Owner / Operator of Internature TM. Joanne works in partnership projects to take care of Victoria's coastal and marine environment. Internature works with non government and government agencies as well as coastal community groups to protect and enhance the coastal and marine environment, raise awareness and communicate the importance of the world's oceans.

Joanne has had ten years experience the field of Coastal and Marine Ecology and is passionate about learning about coastal and marine environments. "I enjoy working closely with experts in their field. I believe it is not what you see that makes life interesting, it's what you learn about what you see, and what's more interesting than marine critters?!"

Well-known ecologist, Mal Legg, is recognised widely for the quality of his investigations and research into the dynamics of flora and fauna extinction.

Most people are aware of the plight of the giant panda, the lowland gorilla and the white rhinoceros. Yet most of us have never heard of the antechinus, the dunnart, the bandicoots, quolls and the now locally-extinct New Holland Mouse.

Over a 20 year period, Mal has surveyed over 500 sites on the Mornington Peninsula and the south east region. Mal was commissioned by the Mornington Peninsula to compile the Mornington Peninsula Wildlife Atlas. His other clients include Parks Victoria, the Royal Botanic Gardens and many private land owners. His work has been quoted in a number of scholarly journals and form the backbone of the native flora and fauna inventories of several councils around Melbourne and its outskirts.

Mal's advice inclusive of the implementation of practical solutions such as landscape rehabilitation and feral pest management is instrumental in the battle to save what little remains of our natural landscape and the species it supports.

Mal's outstanding presentation is about the disturbing state of the flora and fauna in the region with a focus on the Mornington Peninsula and outer south east. It draws attention to an acute problem that is only getting worse with the progress of time.

His presentation is of particular relevance to the topic of endangered species which is taught as part of the state school curriculum (VELS).

Mal has delivered many workshops in schools that have helped redesign their physical environments to attract native animals and help protect what remains of them, empowering students to make a difference on an individual level. He has also lead many field trips for students and other community groups.

His presentation and practical advice which assists in making lasting change is also suitable for Landcare, friends groups, service organisations and local government officers committed to making a genuine difference.

Nino's career highlights include image consultancy, media and life

coaching and mentoring to some of the world's foremost business leaders.

His clients have included, TELSTRA , BMW, Tennis Australia and the C.E.O. Institute.

Via his programs, Nino has in the past also provided self esteem and image programs for the long-term unemployed and street kids, in addition to financial intelligence/attitude programs for over 1000 teenagers (in years 9 to 12, VCAL and VCE) from 20 schools.

The purpose of this program is:

1. to create a 'paradigm shift' in the mindset of students for more positive personal attitudes
2. to positively transform their attitudes and habits around money ( and life in general )
3. to lay the foundations for understanding and actioning 'personal & savings goals'
4. to raise self-confidence, empowerment and resilience to new ( HIGHIER ) levels
5. enhance the understanding of individual & group "responsibility" i.e.…response / ability = "the ability to respond…. to a given situation" designed to equip teenagers with basic, yet powerful LIFE SKILLS to begin the process of becoming financially responsible through: creating money from ideas put into action managing and saving money investing for the long-term for the long-term

Nino offers full-day workshops and follow up half-day programs for graduates of the full day. He provides a work book and supporting material - printing is undertaken by host schools.

Click here to read or download testimonial

David is a biologist working in the Threatened Species Section of the Tasmanian government. He is co-author of the books, Tasmanian devil a unique and threatened animal, Tasmania's Offshore Island: seabirds and other natural features and otoliths of common Australian temperate fish: a photographic guide and over 40 scientific publications on subjects as varied as Australopithecine cave deposits and diet of giant squid. David's fascinating presentation deals with the sea and ethical fishing.

At present, David works with marine mammals. He has extensive experience with whale strandings where techniques developed over the years have led to many successful rescues. David is also conducting a research program on the interaction between people and Tasmanian devils towards empowering individuals to do what they can for the Tasmanian devil.

David is a strong advocate for individuals to take action themselves to make their lives sustainable and healthy both physically and mentally. He is passionate about ethical behaviour towards animals especially in the agricultural industry and actively encourages others to only consume free range products.

David is married with three children aged 21,16 and 13 and lives in Howden south of Hobart, Tasmania. His recreational loves are similar to his work, going bush and looking at nature.

Australian Park Ranger Sean Willmore remortgaged his house to finance and make a documentary called The Thin Green Line.

His effort to bring attention to the dangerous work undertaken by wildlife warriors has won him international acclaim. Using the profits from his film, Sean started The Thin Green Line Foundation which looks after the welfare of rangers families where the ranger has been killed in the line of duty – usually by poachers.

The The Green Line Foundation also aims to better equip rangers worldwide so that they have a greater chance of protecting both themselves and wild areas we all care about.

Judith has contributed to public life for the past 30 years by serving on several boards and advisory committees inclusive of Tourism Victoria: Board member (2001 -2007), the Monash University Advisory Tourism Research Committee (2006 – 2009), the Port of Melbourne Stakeholder Advisory Committee (2002 – 2008) (Channel Deepening Project), the Point Nepean Advisory Committee, Parks Victoria (2003 -2009)n in addition to working on the initiative to secure Marine National Parks and Marine Protected Areas in Victoria.

She has been the recipient of a plethora a of outstanding awards, including the Frank Beaurepaire Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Aquatic Industry, w inner of the Environmental Tourism Award Victoria on three occasions, Hall of Fame Environmental Tourism investiture and has been granted the prestigious Australian Sports Medal for her contribution to Australian Sport. Currently Judith is 2011 National AUSTSWIM Presenter of the Year.

Judith has 35 years' experience as a swimming teacher and is also the owner operator of a successful marine ecotourism business. This business,'Polperro' is a highly-awarded, internationally-renowned business that specialises in marine education, outdoor education programs, and research and tourism experiences.

Polperro Dolphin Swims came into being as a research vessel studying the Bottlenose dolphins of Port Phillip Bay. The research team (now known as the Dolphin Research Institute) applied to conduct swims to raise funds for this research. Judith was determined to close down such an industry and, if that was not possible, to bring about the 'rolled gold version of a licencing system' (Helen Gwillam, senior Policy Advisor Department of Sustainability and Environment). This has created world's best practice in an industry that is known in some parts of the world as an exploitive industry.

Her deep knowledge of the exquisite, yet fragile ecosystems of Port Phillip Bay is nothing short of impressive . This has been gained over many years of research. Polperro has supported three Doctoral studies, a Masters' thesis and many other studies in the quest for knowledge leading to conservation. She uses this knowledge to engage students and to empower them to take an active role in the care of their environment. Using only positive messages, she is able to change the usual 'it's too late, going, going, gone' victim mentality to one of empowering students.

David, an inspirational speaker on a diverse range of topics, is the founder and director of Sattler Consulting.

Sattler Consulting's business vision is Sustainability, Concept Design and Technology Integration. Outcomes of this focus are providing an improved habitat for personnel, whilst reducing the local impact on the environment. At the ground level the results are reduction of operating and maintenance costs, CO2 footprint and adherence to the Green Star rating scheme in Australia. His company is forward thinking and provides solutions for our clients. It offers additional expertise in the following areas: Project Management, Concept Design, Building Automation Systems and Controls, Green Star Rating, Energy Management, and Waste Treatment.

Amongst David's major clients are: RMIT University, Charles Sturt University, The University of Adelaide, Coles Myer Ltd, University of Ballarat, Southgate Centre, CBRE, Kador Group, Chisholm Institute, Victoria University

David's focus is holistic in its approach by providing technology for:

• Cheap clean zero emission (or extreme low) energy supply, including earth energy (combination of Tesla and Schauberger)
• Clean, potable water using little or no energy
• Supply of healthy, abundant, organic food supply
• Sustainable building products from "super wood"
• Clean up nuclear radiation simply and easily
• Clean up the ocean and restore it