Staff and Trustees

Staff:

Marion Thomson - Environment Centre Co-ordinator

Marion was one of the founding members of the Biodynamic Organic Education Trust and has worked as the coordinator of the Environment Centre since it first opened in September 2003. She was involved in the pilot project and the eventual establishment of OrganicFarmNZ- the local market organic certification scheme, working as the certification manager for Hawkes Bay. Marion was one of the founding member signatories on Organic Aotearoa NZ- the Organic Sector board and is currently in her third 2 year term as a National Council member on the board of the Soil and Health Association of New Zealand.

Sonya Sedgwick - Trees for Hawke's Bay Nursery Manager

Sonya has been with the nursery since March 2008. She has a Bachelor of Resource Studies in Ecology from Lincoln University and can provide Landscape Ecology assistance.

Peter Campbell - Environment Centre Manager

Lisa Hargreaves - Finance

Trustees:

Ben Keet - Chairman

Ben started his career at the Free University of Amsterdam, teaching groundwater modelling for 5 years. Shell saw him travelling the world for 5 years and then in 1988 he started his own business here in New Zealand which soon expanded into the Australian market. In 1993 he started a Bioremediation Research and Development company in Holland. He has worked on over 4000 contaminated site projects in 10 different countries and is still very active in research and development which over the last 3 years has expanded to include alternative energy sources, waste to energy and adaptation to climate change projects as well as initiating the Environmental Protection Association Inc. in 2008.

Janet Chambers - Treasurer

Janet has an organic vegetable growing and retailing business supplying to the local market in Hawke’s Bay. She has a depth of experience in demonstrating and teaching organic growing practices and composting. Janet has volunteered her time for the past year doing the SHBT accounts on a weekly basis. Janet is also a member of the Certification Committee of Organic Farm NZ HB.

Kerry Campion

After leaving school, Kerry trained as a bi-lingual secretary in Europe, but later moved into sales. She emigrated to New Zealand in 1987 and began a new career in retail management before motherhood inspired her to move into education. Between working as a librarian and part-time language teacher in primary and secondary schools, she also applied her selling and office administration skills to help grow her husband's gardening and lawnmowing business. She currently works as a children's librarian in the Hastings Library and does volunteer work for HB Restorative Justice.

Steve Rutherford

Steve has a farming background and has spent the last 25 years overseas developing a number of business enterprises. He has extensive experience in all aspects of the business environment including management, staffing, administration, marketing and promotion. More recently Steve has set up a thriving worm farming enterprise on his farm and is now our key supplier for worms at the Environment Centre.

Yvonne Dickson

I have worked as a Landscape Architect in England for 10 years. Responsible for the installation of Public Forests and wetlands in Midlands, UK. Including installation of reed beds for sewage treatment. Landscape Designer for Royal Parks, London and various urban renewal projects in England.

I have done volunteer work for The Womens Environmental Network, London, UK and Darien Environmental Group, Connecticut, USA.

I am now growing and supplying Locally grown, environmentally friendly flowers to customers in Napier and looking after 3 very busy and active children.

Bachelor in Horticultural Science( Massey University, NZ)

Diploma in Landscape Architecture (Lincoln University, NZ)

Masters in Urban Design (Westminster University, London, UK)