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Julie Davies - Secretary

Having abandoned a busy life in Sydney as soon as practical, Julie and her partner Damon settled into the good life on the far south coast some twelve years ago. A chance meeting with Dean and Annette at the Cobargo Folk Festival in 1999 led to an invitation to join the Board of The Crossing where she has held various positions including Newsletter Publisher and Secretary. Julie is currently gaining valuable experience in native vegetation and land rehabilitation projects through her work with Landcare. Julie’s interests lie in the areas of permaculture, education, family and community, and food gardens (or just food in general). Julie has recently completed a Permaculture Design Certificate course and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and is involved in education in the areas of facilitation and permaculture. Julie and Damon have two children, Ella (11) who is home educated and Rhys (9). Julie sees that being on the Board of The Crossing is an important part of her journey and she loves being involved in a practical environmental project which has such potential.

Anita Chadwick - Treasurer

Anita moved to Bermagui in 2006 as a mother of 3 and a Nan who loves spending time with her 4 grandchildren. She loves the AFL especially Sydney Swans, reading and walking by the sea and she says 'I'm proud to be involved with The Crossing'. Anita also has considerable bookkeeping and customer service experience and strong commitment to community contribution.

Dean Turner - Project Director

Dean is an outdoor educator with over 15 years experience in working with young people, mostly in the natural environment. He has served a number of non-profit organisations including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, Kosciusko Huts Association, Institute for Earth Education, NSW Council of YMCA's, NSW Youth Hostels Association, Conservation Volunteers Australia, Wollangarra Outdoor Education Centre, Moruya Crisis Youth Refuge, Ursula College and the Centre for Continuing Education in the Australian National University. In 2002 Dean facilitated at the World Youth Earth Summit in Azerbaijan. Currently he is operating the Duke of Edinburgh award for local high schools on the south coast of NSW thanks to support from The Bournda Environment Education Centre. In 2008 Dean led the inaugral Sea to Snow Crossing recognised under the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. This had been a 20 year dream. Dean also runs discovery walks and guiding activities in National Parks whilst co-founding The Crossing Land Education Centre with his wife Annette. Their son Jye is ten.

Annette Turner - Trust Director

Before moving to Bermagui in 1998 to begin The Crossing, Annette spent three years as Co-Director of Wollangarra Outdoor Education Centre. With her husband Dean she was responsible for the operation and promotion of a progressive conservation and environment education hiking program. Prior to Wollangarra, Annette was an education coordinator for the Australian tourism industry where she established a national tourism student council and introduced an environmental management and accreditation program. Annette also worked as a university tutor in the fields of advertising, marketing and tourism. She held the position of Director with the Youth Hostels Association of NSW, and has served on the committee of the Kosciousko Huts Association (KHA). She is an Associate of the Institute for Earth Education and Member of the Trust Management Committee for The Crossing. Currently Annette runs discovery walks and guiding activities in National Parks, teaches in local preschools and shares the education of 7 year old Jye.

Former Board Members

Brendan Ryan

Brendan had a varied professional past including zoo keeper, actor, musician, camera operator and tour operator. He was employed at Old Sydney Town as an actor/presenter and site activities coordinator for many years and played the lead in the famous Jolly Swagman Show at the Argyle Centre in The Rocks Sydney throughout the 80's and 90's. He now runs his own small production company for the corporate business and the local domestic market and continues to assist The Crossing, particularly with the Sea to Snow project.

Matt Munro

Matt first met Dean, Annette and Jye in April 2007 canoeing along Middle Lagoon working as a volunteer discovery guide with the N.P.W.S. Matt found that he shared and supported The Crossing's environmental visions and values through volunteer service and served as Fun (d) raiser developing the youth music tent at Cobargo Folk Festival. Matt is a qualified teacher and Tourism Management graduate. Before embarking on a 3-year worldwide tour through over 20 countries, he completed an undergraduate degree in Applied Science at V.U.T in Melbourne. Matt has a lifetime passion and journey within the fields of meditation, wellbeing and inner peace. He is still a good friend of The Crossing.

Colin Jack

Colin brought over 25 years experience in building, specializing in the construction of architect designed homes using natural materials. Colin focused on design and construction to reflect the surrounding environment using passive and environmental principals with sustainable technology. Colin and his partner Nicole believe that the future for all depends on living sustainably upon our earth and that education, in particular of youth, will provide a strong platform to create this.

Dan Garlick
An educator with a passion to make a difference Dan worked for the Westernport Greenhouse Alliance, the Manly Environment Centre, Conservation Volunteers Australia, Wollangarra Outdoor Education Centre and taught as a secondary school teacher. He has a masters in environmental education and is now dairy farming in Gippsland with his wife Wil and two sons.

Matt Evans
Mobile sawmiller, livestock carrier, farmworker, dozer owner...Matt grew up on a farm in Wandella and and spent much of his time in the bush on a motorbike or on horseback. He liked the idea of an education centre for young people to experience the bush and he helped with many of the early challenges especially the arrival of the train carraige and onsight milling for use of timber within the development zone.

Debra Summers
An accomplished on-line educator and designer, Debra showed a flair for fundraising and an enthusiasm to match. She continues to support the Crossing and her partner David and children Ruby and AJ as she persues her passion for the sacredness of all life through celebration and ritual.

Nicole Brown
Nicole established The Crossing's bookkeeping systems and assisted with catering for programs. She believes that richness in life comes from health of mind, body and spirit. Her contribution added this richness and she continues to support her partner Colin's involvement with The Crossing.

Wilhelmina Pruyne
An organiser of the Australian Paralympics, the Youth Games and member of the Australian Olympic Committee, Wil was a great help with early PR and fundraising efforts. Now a Gippsland dairy farmer and mother of two sons.

Shanti Ramana
A registered nurse and sharer of a long standing Community Dinner, Shanti and her partner Sol continue to provide support and welcome to all involved in the Crossing project. Their help with the Crossing CD and with establishment of programs has been a gift.

Damon Davies
The driving force behind The Crossing's World Music CD and Crossing Music Festival which has led to an ongoing involvement of The Crossing with young people, music and sustainability as well as a commitment to the musical life of the project.

Graham Fall
Master Axeman, bushtools expert and high country farm manager, Graham was a driving force as 'bush builder' over the first few years of the project and added his positive 'it'll evolve' philosophy as well as the director's residence and train carraige bunkhouse. Not to mention a special slab hut at our entrance gate. Graham continues to support a number of unique Outdoor Education Centres including Mittagundi, Wollangarra, Typo Station and The Youth Enterprise Trust.

Ted Schaeche
Storyteller, communicator and horseman who worked with Vicroads for 50 years. He and his wife Elaine provided terrific support over the founding years in all sorts of caring ways. Elaine continues to support the staff and young people of a number of unique outdoor education centres.

Simon Anderson
Solicitor, actor and accomplished cross country skier and outdoor sportsman. Simon could see the increasing need for 'learning by doing' and practical hands-on environmental education with lots of adventure thrown in. He continues to be inspired by The Crossing's Sea to Snow Walk.

Liz Leyshan - President

Liz now coordinates accreditation and the 'heart committee' for staff support whilst also working with Coastlife Adventure as an outdoor educator. She is a National board member for the Camping Association of Australia. She has coordinated Fundraising, OHS and Volunteers having lived and worked at The Crossing in the past. Liz has more than 15 years experience in team leading and OH&S for outdoor education centres, recreation camps and conservation volunteers. She arrived at The Crossing after walking nearly 700km along the Australian Alpine Walking Track to raise support for the project in May 2002. In 2009 Liz will be helping to lead the first continuous 13 day Sea to Snow journey. Liz has a strong commitment to providing a place for young people to learn about the environment and how they are connected to it. She hopes you will be inspired to support too.

Dave Newell - Vice President

Dave first heard about The Crossing in 2001 and was impressed by what was happening. His initial involvement was in the Program Design Team as his main interest is designing and facilitating community based learning experiences that allow people to find ways to live more lightly on the earth and with each other. His working background includes agriculture, Landcare, outdoor and environmental education and community development. Dave is the current Landcare Officer for the Southern Rivers region. Dave's partner Debra has previously been a Crossing Board member coordinating fundraising and assisting with program preparation and delivery. Debra continues to use her skills working at a community level on ethical projects.

Peter Stephens - Merchandise

Peter has an extensive background in teaching and outdoor education having coordinated major secondary school programs and staff teams. Recently his work has taken him to remote regions of the world leading hiking and community service programs for secondary students. Peter has been a quiet and strong force in laying the foundations for the involvement of many young Campberwell High students in helping the Victorian mountains and his assistance in development of The Crossing's pilot programs has been invaluable.

Martin Fishwick - Corporate & Legals

Recent Program Staff

: Liam centre and his crew of hayseeds

Liam McManus (front centre)

Liam has a masters in Sustainable Housing, he was a foundation student of the Mumbulla Steiner School in Bega and his parents are both experienced educators. Liam has worked with International Student Volunteers and built his own sustainable house. He has added some great practical experience to Crossing Projects and his zest for life is infectious. Thanks for all the great help Liam.

Kim Hill (right rear)

Kim has a masters in mathmatics but Permaculture design is her thing these days. She helped through the winter of 2008 coordinating food preparation particularly for the university courses. Her insights and community spirit were infectious and now they are being used to help community gardening in Adelaide which is her home town.

Former Project Staff

Tina Reilly (edits from an article Tina wrote about a Crossing program)

The nights were probably the coldest of the year, the morning frosts were crisp, patience sometimes wore thin, differences in opinion arose and many of the tasks were physically challenging or mentally draining. However, it was during these more difficult times that the most valuable lessons were learnt.

Hard work at The Crossing was interwoven with several offsite visits to other areas of the local community. It truly was the ideal work place - clean waves, clear skies, bright sun, an Aussie barbeque and good conversation and company. The students had the opportunity to see real community spirit and activity. It is this sense of community consciousness and cooperation that The Crossing aims to promote in the hope that young people leave with an increased concern for the environment, a heightened awareness of the importance of community and a sense of achievement that they have helped The Crossing become a better place for other young people. What a nice exchange of wisdom for labour!

Sas Allardice

I loved being able to put all my energy and enthusiasm into such an amazing place and community.

Sometimes I had to pinch myself when I walked out of the train carriage in the morning to see mist rising from the valley and the sun dancing on the peaks of Gulaga. "Yes I'm really here!"

The Crossing and the ideas and ethics behind it were so intimately in tune with those I try to live my life by that I felt very much at peace and at home there.

So thank you to The Crossing community and all those amazing people out there that have helped make The Crossing what it is today and for allowing me the opportunity to be there. Love to all!

Gill McGillivray

I was studying environmental education at La Trobe University in Bendigo when I heard about The Crossing. Before my studies, I had taught grade 3 and 4 in Australia and England for 5 years.

All the factors that help students take home their learnings of living sustainably are provided at The Crossing, which is why I wanted to be a part of it. We were welcomed so warmly, thank you.

I enjoyed adding to the dynamic educational programs at The Crossing, getting to know The Crossing community and doing some FUNdraising.

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