The Committee comprises the following representatives endorsed by Council:
- Cr Kate McKay (Chair)
- Cr Kim Cope (Alternate Chair)
Andrew McMahon
Andrew McMahon is a professional ecologist with over 40 years' experience. He and wife Pam have lived in the Bend of Islands for 13 years and previously in Christmas Hills for some 30 years. Andrew’s career includes five years of postgraduate research in fire ecology and 35 years as founding director (along with the eminent botanist Geoff Carr) and principal ecologist of the consultancy Ecology Australia. He has worked extensively across most environments in South East Australia, and at a local scale has observed our changing habitats for decades. He is currently involved with private research on climate related impacts.
Claire Gregory
No bio available.
Corinne May
Corinne brings deep environmental expertise shaped by years of leading complex landscape-scale conservation programs across Greater Melbourne and Victoria. Her work spans integrated catchment management, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, natural capital and sustainable land management. She has guided multi-partner initiatives that restore ecosystems, strengthen community stewardship and support long-term environmental planning. As a long-term Nillumbik resident Corinne has supported the work of numerous local friends and community groups including Friends of Grove Street Reserve, and Friends of MacMahon Ball Paddock and has been involved in Eltham Copper Butterfly conservation.
Jenniy Gregory
No bio available.
Lily van Eeden
Lily van Eeden is an environmental scientist whose research explores how people interact with and value nature. She has expertise in conservation biology and human behaviour change earned through over a decade working in environmental management and a PhD in human-wildlife conflict. Her research helped to support delivery of the Victorian Government’s Victorians Value Nature framework, which seeks to promote nature-friendly behaviour among the public, and she now lectures in environmental sciences at RMIT University. Her childhood spent in the Panton Hill bushlands was an important part of her journey towards a career in nature conservation, and she hopes to help protect Nillumbik’s nature for future generations too.
Lynlee Tozer
Lynlee has a longstanding commitment to Nillumbik, its community, natural environment and landscapes. She has a BSc (hon) and extensive professional experience in biodiversity and land management, and knowledge of climate resilience in natural ecosystems.
Lynlee has worked with Trust for Nature, as a biodiversity officer in local government, and as a university lecturer in the fields of ecology, weed management, sustainable land use and plant identification. She has also been involved in many local community groups, including Smiths Gully Landcare, Friends of Panton Hill Bushland Reserves, Friends of Nillumbik, Green Wedge Protection Group and the Panton Hill CFA.
Malcolm Cock
Malcolm grew up on a biodynamic dairy and beef farm in Lower Plenty, and managed a dynamic and successful family stud and commercial beef, sheep and goat farming operations in Buchan and Leongatha, Gippsland. Malcolm is an agricultural consultant, now based in Eltham.
Malcolm’s experience includes:
- Private consulting to mainstream and lifestyle clients
- Agriculture Victoria BetterBeef extension program coordinator and specialist
- Worked in the development and practice of other MLA and Agriculture Victoria ‘best practice’ extension programs
- Developed and delivered marketing modules for NMIT Diploma of Organic Agriculture
- Delivered numerous workshops particularly in total farm and stock management
- Involved in various industry groups including gold member of Landcare
- Contributor to the Box Hill Institute’s Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Agritourism
- Monitor in the Drought Resilience Leaders Mentoring program and others
Marcel Saxone
Marcel has always seen the value of working in the service of others as a major source of satisfaction with life.
As an imminent octogenarian, the importance of also being in the service of nature and finding kindred spirits to also help has become Marcel’s top priority. After all, his generation have contributed to an overheating planet bulging with excess clothing and food in landfill.
Marcel's ideas include working with volunteers to support local Nillumbik residents to improve their recycling techniques, and supporting Nillumbik Recyclers and the Nillumbik Council through discussion and collaboration.
Marcel is looking forward to sharing a range of life skills to help Nillumbik become a role model in recycling in Australia, assisted through the skills and expertise of ESAC.
Rachel Hur
Rachel is an environmental sustainability advisor and architect with extensive experience delivering infrastructure projects across the built environment. She specialises in biophilic and passive design, integrating nature and buildings to create places that support human wellbeing while reducing environmental impacts. Rachel also has experience teaching about and building with hempcrete, a low-impact natural building material.
Passionate about creating positive outcomes for both people and planet, Rachel advocates for sustainable living, responsible consumption, and regenerative approaches that enhance environmental and community wellbeing.
Rowena Thomson
No bio available.
Wayne Kinrade
No bio available.