David Watson - Chair - David has a strong background in management and sustainability. Following ten years in the hospitality industry in Melbourne and London, he completed a Bachelor of Science and has since spent 12 years in practical conservation, business engagement and government policy. David has a strong interest in futures and systems thinking and is a current participant in the Australian Rural Leadership Program. He is married with two children and enjoys living in a comfortable, energy efficient house with BREAZE solar electricity and solar hot water systems. David joined the board in May 2008.

Joe Boin - Deputy Chair - Joe is a lapsed Science teacher who doesn’t claim to know everything. He is concerned that we humans need to be more aware that we are part of our environment. Joe values BREAZE’ role in promoting the responsibilities involved.  He lives in a sustainable mud-brick house with his wife, Louise, on a wildlife-friendly block at Invermay. They have 3 adult kids who visit regularly. Joe rides a bike around town as often as he can, mainly to stop his aging body from seizing up, but also to benefit his hip-pocket and our environment. He enjoys making things out of wire, wood and what others see as junk (re-use, recycle!). This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it




Treasurer - vacant position - could it be you? 


Jenni Sewell - Secretary - profile coming soon!


Steve Burns Steve is keen on permaculture, natural building and classic British bikes (sadly might have to leave the last one behind in the brave new world of peak oil). He's a writer & trainer (background in education and psychology) and his specialty is competency-based training and assessment. He recommends that you read 'Heat' by George Monbiot. Steve thinks that climate change and peak oil will lead to many people adopting permaculture principles and practices and that 'business as usual' will wreck the conditions people need. The planet will survive, but maybe humans will become an endangered species! Growing your own food is the single most effective way to reduce your carbon footprint and water consumption while also giving you cheaper, healthier, fresher, tastier food, a little exercise and a connection to the seasonal cycles; it's a big win-win, really! Hablo un pequeño español This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sean o'Keeffe - Sean has a background in land use planning, resource management and government. He is currently employed by the City of Ballarat as the Manager of Strategic Planning. Sean has lived in Ballarat for 6 years with family and, in his spare time, is currently endeavouring to turn his very old home into something more sustainable. Sean has been a board member for 2 years

Adam Rogers - Adam is the Manager of Business Strategy for CFA, and although based in Ballarat he has a statewide responsibility for the determination and development of strategic policy. In this role Adam is responsible for the environmental scanning and foresight processes within CFA and the alignment of CFA direction with government policy. With a background that varies from Brewing, through to Logistics and Fire Fighting, Adam came to Ballarat because of its vicinity to Melbourne (close without being too close) and the reputation of the schools in the area. He is a father of three and enjoys being active in the community and spending time with his family.

Michael Taylor - Mick has worked in the printing industry for over 18 years. He has undertaken undergraduate study in Management in line with his progression in management responsibilities and completed the Master of Business Administration program at UB in 2010. Having been involved in continuous improvement and strategy implementation in a commercial environment, Mick hopes to utilize his management education to contribute to the growth of BREAZE and ensure sustainable living in the Ballarat region remains a focus for the community. He lives in Ballarat with his wife and two young children and tries to grow vegetables in his backyard.

Stephen Roberts - Stephen is used to dealing with problems. With a 15 year career in I.T. support and managing service desks, his philosophy is “there is always a solution”. He wants to extend that concept into experiences with environmental issues and getting involved in solutions. “Breaze is where ideas meet action and implementation”. A keen outdoorsman in his younger years through the scouting movement he now lives a quiet life near Ballarat and enjoys being with family and friends.

Rene DeJong  Rene has been a member of Breaze since its inception. He manages potato and vegetable genetics for Elders and hence understands agriculture and has some business skills. As an empty nester in Buninyong, Rene has just gone “organic” in his vegie patch. Rene and his partner Jennie are maintaining their (approx) 7 star rated house, which they built 17 years ago. Despite its age, their home puts most new houses to shame when it comes to green credentials, but they keep looking at ways to improve its energy use. Rene intends to enhance the effectiveness of Breaze to achieve its aim of zero emissions by 2020.

John McKean - After working in the electrical industry for thirty five years, in February 2009 John and his wife Pam retired and relocated to Ballarat. In 2010 they moved into the home they had built based on passive solar principles at Scotchmans Lead. While the house was being built John attended a series of BREAZE information sessions at BRACE and got to know Joe, Jeff, Simon, Julia and many others. To quote John “I found the collective knowledge within BREAZE to be truly outstanding”. As a retired engineer, John is interested in building practices and technologies that make buildings more energy efficient. As well as being involved in BREAZE, John enjoys family, growing vegetables and sailing on Lake Wendouree.

Sub-Committees BREAZE Action Groups