AE has grown to now employ over 60 skilled staff, many experts in their fields.

Here is a brief introduction to some of our key contacts.

Brendan Condon - Managing Director

Brendan has been a keen environmentalist for many years, working in the field of environmental restoration for the past 14 years. During the 1990's he ran programmes with young offenders restoring the creeks and waterways around Melbourne. In 1995 he began specializing in wetland restoration work with Damien Cook and in 1997 he established the Australian Ecosystems Nursery (then Wetland Ecosystems) at Carrum. Brendan has a particular interest in social justice, environmental sustainability and
development.

brendan@australianecosystems.com.au

Damien Cook - Managing Director

Damien Cook is a 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@australianecosystems.com.au

Keri Whitelaw - Administration Manager

Keri has an Advanced Diploma of Accounting and is currently studying off campus for her degree. She has worked for Australian Ecosystems since October 2000, and through many years working as a consultant to a range of clients and industries, has developed extensive knowledge and practical experience in business administration and financial management. Keri is responsible for the Accounts Payable and Receivable functions at Australian Ecosystems, as well as Human Resources, Contract Administration and Financial Reporting. She sits on the OH&S committee, and is a member of the Executive Management.

admin@australianecosystems.com.au

Alistair Ripper – Marketing Manager

Alistair completed an Associate Diploma of Applied Science Horticulture (University of Melbourne) in 1992, and is currently studying towards a Degree. He has a wealth of industry experience, and before joining Australian Ecosystems in 2003 worked as a Landscape Contractor, as a Sales Manager at an advanced tree nursery, and as the Marketing and Sales Manager for Treemax (environmental products). Al is responsible for promoting the range of services Australian Ecosystems provides, and oversees the tendering process. Al is also one of Australian Ecosystems’ key client liaisons, and is a member of the Executive Management.

al@australianecosystems.com.au

Matt Gale – Project Manager

Following the completion of a Bachelor of Fine Arts (VCA) and an Associate Diploma in Visual Arts, Matt joined Australian Ecosystems in 2000 to pursue his interest in conservation and land management. Working at Australian Ecosystems allowed Matt to build on the skills he developed through participating in environmental based volunteer and Friends Group activities during his studies. Matt has extensive project management experience, and is one of Australian Ecosystems’ key client liaisons. He is responsible for project scheduling and coordination of the planting and landscaping teams. Since commencing at Australian Ecosystems, he has completed training with Greening Australia.

Kate Bennetts – Botanist

Kate has a Bachelor of Science (Geographical Ecology and Botany) ( University of NSW ), and has over seven years experience working as a botanist in south-east Australia . Kate has managed a range of botanical and conservation based projects during her professional employment, the results of which have been recognised by a number of industry awards. Kate’s work at Australian Ecosystems involves targeted threatened species surveys, vegetation assessment, vegetation monitoring and mapping, Habitat Hectare assessments, and Landholder extension.

kate@australianecosystems.com.au

Dylan Osler - Ecologist and Seed Bank Manager

Dylan has vast experience in the environmental restoration field, having worked with Australian Ecosystems since 2000 and for Indigenous Design for the five years prior. He has a good working knowledge of ecological processes in a diverse range of vegetation types, and his recent projects have included conducting wetland inventories for the Wimmera and Corangamite Catchment Management Authorities, presenting training courses to Greening Australia, and work as a field botanist for a National Action Plan Salinity study. Dylan specialises in indigenous seed collection and seed bank management, wetland and terrestrial flora assessment and monitoring, and Landholder extension.

dylan@australianecosytems.com.au

Ana Backstrom - Applied Scientist

Ana completed a Bachelor of Applied Science ( University of NSW ) in 2001, and is currently studying towards a Masters degree at the University of Melbourne . Ana has a wealth of knowledge and practical experience in the germination and propagation requirements of indigenous plants, the statistical analysis of ecological data, and technical report writing. Ana applies her knowledge in germination, the topic of her Masters research, practically in her work at Australian Ecosystems.

ana@australianecosystems.com.au

Simon Whitelaw – Assistant Nursery Manager

Simon completed a Diploma of Horticulture in 2004 and has since gained wide experience in the horticultural and natural resource management industries, principally through running his own horticultural landscaping business. He brings to Australian Ecosystems a multitude of practical experience and is involved in costing, design, and construction processes at the nursery. He also provides logistical support to the landscaping teams and is responsible for machinery and skid steer operations.

simon@australianecosystems.com.au

Jo Henry - Landscape Architect

Jo completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Landscape Architecture) with first class honours at RMIT. She has worked on a broad range of landscape projects and has gained experience in contemporary landscape design, ecological landscape systems, indigenous landscapes, and wetland design. Jo provides professional services to Australian Ecosystems including site assessments, landscape and wetland designs, planting plans and planting schedules, ecological vegetation and management mapping, and landscape specifications. Jo has strong skills in computer aided design, and in sketch design presentation.

Jarrod Fleming – Senior Site Manager

Jarrod has a Diploma of Applied Science (Environmental Management) (Swinburne University) and a Certificate in Conservation and Land management; studies for the latter, involving restorative work in the Coranderrk Bushland adjacent to Healesville Sanctuary. He has completed training courses with Greening Australia, has worked within the landscaping industry, and has participated in coastal revegetation along the Great Ocean Road . Since becoming a member of Australian Ecosystems in February 2001, Jarrod has worked on numerous private and public sector projects including large scale residential developments, golf courses, and terrestrial and wetland landscapes. Jarrod has specialist knowledge of seed collection techniques.

jarrod@australianecosystems.com.au

Rustem Upton – Senior Site Manager

Rustem has studied and worked in the natural resource and revegetation industry since 1996 and has extensive plant identification and establishment skills. His knowledge of the natural environment, and more specifically of the ecology of south-east Australia , assists Australian Ecosystems to maintain quality in the projects we undertake. Rustem is a Senior Site Manager at Australian Ecosystems, and is involved in the operational aspects of our planting and landscaping projects.

rustem@australianecosystems.com.au