Community

Chris Johnston

Chris Johnston is an experienced facilitator who specialises in working with stakeholders and local communities across a range of issues and planning processes. Other aspects of her work include understanding the value of heritage and connections to landscape and place for communities, and developing strategic plans and policies working with government and private organisations. She is part of a consultancy team based in Melbourne.

In her role as independent chair of the CRG, Chris' goal is to facilitate open, respectful and effective communication in the CRG, and from the CRG out to the wider community. She sees her role as helping the CRG achieve its objectives. Chris has undertaken a number of similar roles including Chair of the Mt Egerton Environment Review Group, Chair of the Montrose Quarry Stakeholder Reference Group, Chair of Melbourne Water's Eastern Treatment Plant Community Liaison Committee.

Outside work, Chris is passionate about ceramics. She makes and exhibits ceramics that focus on land and our relationship to it from her studio near Newstead. She is actively involved in local history and in LandCare, and she coordinates her local community fireguard group.

Cameron Price

Cameron has a Bachelor of Forest Science from Melbourne University and has worked in various industries from natural resource management, to information technology, to community services.

He is currently employed by Diversitat working with refugees to help them overcome their barriers to employment. He has a passion for community service and has served on numerous boards and committees across the arts, environmental management, heritage, economic development, water and sewerage infrastructure and urban and regional planning.

His interest in the geothermal prower plant is to ensure there is high quality public participation in decisions that may affect the community and the environment.

Doug Rolf

Doug is a general community representative on the CRG not representing any specific group.

He grew up in Geelong and has been living in the Buckley area for 5 years. Doug completed an apprenticeship in an oil refinery, has qualifications in science, education and renewable energy technology and is currently working locally as an Environment Officer.

Doug has completed training with the ACF, Climate Project and Al Gore, is enthusiastic about being involved in positive community change and is a member of the committees of Transition South Barwon, the Geelong Electric Vehicle group, the Buckley Community Group, the Winchelsea Community Garden and a member of the Gherang Community and Environment Group committee in an advisory position. Doug also is a member of the Alternative Technology Association, Geelong Sustainability Group, Australian Electric Vehicle Association and Ballarat Renewable Energy And Zero Emissions (BREAZE)."

Graeme Stockton

Graeme holds a Bachelor of Science (Horticulture) 1986

West Coast Indigenous Nursery begins 1988

Community Australia Day Award 1996

Australian Volunteer Abroad (1996-1999)

Post Graduate Diploma of Development Studies 2000

COGG Business Category Award 2006

President of Surfers Appreciating Natural Environment (SANE) Inception 1989

Committee Jan Juc Coast Action. Inception 1992

Committee Surf Coast Energy Group (SCEG) Inception 2008

Jude Sharp

Jude has lived in the surf coast shire for the past 25 years; the last 15 years have been in the native surrounds in Gherang (formerly Modewarre). She is currently raising a small head of organic, Highland Beef cattle on her property and enjoys the delights of an organic garden.

Jude practices in the areas of remedial therapy and relaxation in her own business in Geelong.

Other interests pursued are horse riding, reading listening to music and cooking.

Jude raised her two sons in the area who have now moved onto their respective careers and are still living in the area.

Nathan Hines

Nathan is an Environmental Scientist working in the Geelong Region.

He has extensive experience in environmental protection; both as a regulator and in oil and gas as well as mining.  This has given him a broad knowledge of the environmental and community issues that arise during major projects.

Nathan has a passion for renewable energy, and as such is keen to see that proejcts involving it are undertaken in a manner which ensures that communities are not put at a disadvantage.

Rod Nockles

Rod Nockles is the Managing Director and joint owner of a successful marketing and communications firm. He has more than 15 years experience in strategic communication, issues management, government affairs and community engagement; having  provided strategic counsel to a range of leading national and international companies and local government authorities. He was also a Senior Adviser and Chief of Staff in the Howard Government. He is nationally recognised for his expertise in cyber safety and security and was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2006 examining global best practice.  Rod is active in his local community, and has for the past five years served as a director on the board of Docare Geelong, and it its current President. Rod is a foundation member of the Gherang Community and Environment Group and its elected Treasurer.

He completed an Honours Degree in Economics and Politics from La Trobe University and a Masters Degree from the Australian National University. His wife Zara and their three children live on a small property in Gherang.

Cheryl Nagel

Cheryl Nagel has a solid farming background, spending early years on a dairy farm in Victoria's Goulbourn Valley.  Her first job was managing a dairy farm. 

An early interest in conservation saw Cheryl undertake qualifications in this field and pursue a park management career in both Tasmania and Victoria.  Cheryl has been privileged to have many interesting and influential roles in the management of Tasmania's World Heritage Area properties, and to work for Tasmanian Aboriginal communities in land management.

In Victoria, she has been responsible for the planning and establishment of the Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park, and she is currently responsible for strategic directions in recreation for Victoria's parks.  Cheryl is a strong advocate for community participation in public land management and increased community influence over decision making.

Cheryl has qualifications in farming, conservation and park management, and continues to study animal behaviour and training.

Outside her formal career, Cheryl was a founding member of the Gherang Community & Environment Group and currently serves as its elected president.

Outdoor activities interest Cheryl and she enjoys kayaking, horse-riding, sailing, gardening and motorcycle touring; mostly accompanied by a loyal Australian Shepherd.

Cheryl lives in beautiful Gherang with her partner, two dogs and two horses.

Roger Ganly

Roger has lived all his life in the Geelong area and retired 7 years ago. Together with his wife, they designed and built an ecologically sustainable house in Aireys Inlet where they have lived for 6 years.

Roger's business background is in Information Technology and the Oil Industry.  He is a committee member of ANGAIR (Anglesea and Aireys Inlet Society for the Protection of Flora and Fauna) and represents that organisation on the Community Reference Group. 

Roger has an active interest in conservation of local flora and a keen interest in renewable energy developments. He is a member of several technology organisations and interests include sailing, camping, walking, travel and enjoying time with their grandchildren.

Tim Adams

Tim is a resident of Gherang, living in a house with a goal of achieving a carbon neutral occupation of the site with the combination of a highly efficient house design, net export of electricity, and reforestation activities providing necessary carbon sequestration and all possible backup heating energy requirements.

Principal of F2 Design, a small practice specializing in high performance house design, energy rating and sustainable built environment solutions.

Current President of the Building Designers Association of Victoria, 2010

Member of the Alternative Technology Association

Tim is keen to see implementation of any viable moves away from coal-fired generation of electricity to renewable sources but not at the cost of other environmental considerations.

Robert King

Robert had 25 years experience working for the Geological Survey of Victoria. In1985 he led a team that reviewed the geothermal potential of Victoria and produced a report that formed the basis for the current geothermal legislation and managed the Geological Mapping and Basin Studies Section in the Geological Survey. Robert was the Director of Minerals and Petroleum Regulation Branch that administered licensing, occupational health and safety and environmental law covering offshore and onshore petroleum operations, oil and gas transmission pipelines, mines and quarries. Mr King was a member of a Federal Government team that formed to establish the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority and from 2005 he has been a member of its board.

Robert is Greenearth Energy's CRG Representative. He is an executive director who is intimately involved in the development and implementation of the GGPP.