Our team

Our team includes a volunteer board of directors and specialist staff working in the areas of climate science, research, education, communication and business development, botany, horticulture and environmental engineering.

Brendan Condon, Managing Director

Brendan has founded several companies and two not-for-profits that work in the field of sustainability and ecosystem protection. He is the director of Australian Ecosystems, Victoria's largest ecological restoration company, as well as the Cape Paterson Ecovillage project in South Gippsland, Victoria, which aims to set a national benchmark in terms of zero emissions housing, enhancement of biodiversity, renewable energy and active lifestyle.

He is one of the founders of Pelican, a 60 foot ocean going sailing catamaran which sails Australian waters performing social and environmental projects.

In response to his concerns about the huge risks posed by global warming, he founded Climate Positive in 2006.

Carol Battle, Partnership Manager

After nearly 10 years working internationally in client and project management, Carol has focused on sustainability and strategy consulting.
Carol trained in communications at the University of Canberra and has worked in consulting agencies in Hong Kong and London where she partnered with global clients to achieve business outcomes.

Carol has recently completed her Master in Business Administration at the Melbourne Business School at the University of Melbourne where she was awarded for her outstanding contribution to the community and work in sustainability in business.

Dr Graeme Pearman, Scientific Consultant

The material for this web site was prepared under contract by Dr Graeme I Pearman AM, FAA, ATSE, FRoySocVic, BSc(Hon), PhD. Dr Graeme Pearman obtained his degrees from the University of Western Australia, where he was trained as a biologist. He joined CSIRO in 1971 where he was Chief of the CSIRO Division of Atmospheric Research for the ten years 1992-2002. He contributed over 150 scientific journal papers primarily on aspects of the global carbon budget. In 2004 he left CSIRO to start a consultancy company. He is currently contracted to Monash University where he is establishing a new sustainability science program.

His current interests and activities include energy futures, sustainability and sustainability science, scientific capacity building, public communication of science, the role of science in modern societies and science policy.

Nick Witherow, Carbon Manager

Nick has a long-term interest in horticulture, revegetation and environmental sustainability. His Bachelor of Applied Science is in Environmental Horticulture, and he worked for two years in the hydroponics industry. In 2002, Nick bought his experience to Australian Ecosystems where he has worked on the planting and weed control crews before moving to the nursery. He is still actively involved with seed collection and the seed bank for Australian Ecosystems. At Climate Positive, Nick is analysing and monitoring developments in the carbon trading market and developing the appropriate reforestation locations and land management practices.

Nick's other interests include travel, social justice and law, which he studies at Monash University.

Pauline Duncan, Board of Directors
Senior consultant, education

Pauline is a well respected international educationalist, consultant and presenter. She was Head of Junior School at Wesley College (St Kilda Rd Campus) for six years gaining extensive experience at a senior management level of all aspects of educational leadership, management and school operations. Since 2000, Pauline has consulted widely in organisational management and review, marketing and communication, change programs and school leadership. Her consulting experience is supported by a sound understanding of teaching methodology, pedagogy, learning styles and current educational research and initiatives.

Richard Hayward, Board of Directors

Richard co-founded Haystac early in 2001 after a successful career in marketing and public relations as a consultant and in-house manager. In 2007, Haystac employs more than 40 staff, has a blue chip client base, and has forged a reputation as one of Australia's best independent public relations and marketing agencies.

Prior to co-founding Haystac, Richard served as General Manager, Melbourne, and subsequently as General Manager, Australia, for GCI Group - the world's eighth-largest public relations consultancy.
During his career, Richard has worked as a consultant, director and general manager of several leading local, national and international public relations consultancies.

Richard is a guest lecturer and course marker for the BA Comm PR degree course at RMIT and is a member of the RMIT School of Applied Communication Public Relations Program Advisory Committee.

Damien Cook, Project Botanist

Damien Cook is a respected restoration ecologist with a keen interest in plant and frog taxonomy, wetland processes and geomorphology, and the processes which lead to the degradation of natural ecosystems and how these can be reversed. He has studied natural history for over 20 years and has worked as an ecologist, project manager and environmental educator for the last 15 years. Damien has gained extensive experience in his role in overseeing over 400 successful ecological restoration projects as senior botanist and director of Australian Ecosystems.

As a keen observer of the natural world Damien is extremely concerned about the impact that climate change will have on Australia’s unique ecosystems.

Bertram Duerr, Technical Adviser

Bertram became involved with climate change research and renewable energies as a student in Germany. He gained an Engineering qualification in environmental technologies from Hochschule fur Angewandte Wissenschaften (HAW), and went on to work for energie+konzept, Hamburg, to develop engineering solutions for renewable energies. He became particularly interested in environmental management (including CO2-emissions certificate trade) and brought this experience to the Australian Greenhouse Office in 2005. Bertram has developed Climate Positive's carbon footprint calculator, based on his documentation of underlying assumptions. Read the assumptions document.

Marieka Jacobs, Accounts Manager

Marieka has a passion for immersing herself amongst the elements and protecting our beautiful planet. She has obtained a Masters in Communications, focussing her thesis on environmental education and communication. Her work at Climate positive requires her to account manage our small business and household partners, assist with communications and marketing and ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the office.

Marieka is also deeply interested in education and behaviour change, and recently returned from a three month stint working in sustainability education in Hawaii. She is also passionate about photography and writing and is greatly looking forward to photographing and participating in the annual Climate Positive Planting Day!

Matthew Wright, Climate Campaigner

Matthew Wright has been passionately campaigning on climate and energy issues since 2002. Matt joined the Climate Positive early this year, and has since been working on educating individuals and groups on climate change.

Matt is the producer of Australia's only dedicated radio program on climate change and is currently assisting in the design of the Cape Paterson Eco Village, a zero carbon housing development.

His work includes community engagement activities and work developing transition of various sectors of the economy to zero emissions.

Web development

The Climate Positive site has been developed professionally, and securely, by highly experienced web developers Gozer Media.