Meet the team

James Clark-Kennedy

B.Arts (Journalism). CEO. James has worked in communications for 22 years, 16 of those in journalism. Whether lifeguarding, surfing, sailboarding, swimming or - in more recent years - ocean racing and beach ambling, his connection to the ocean has been strong since childhood.

Dr Jacquie Salter

Education Coordinator. Dr. Salter is an integral part of the team. As an educator Jacquie has written our Education Pack, organises our school holiday programs, and runs our school Outfall Tours and Classroom Incursions. As a scientist Jacquie is part of our Brains Trust, which advises the Foundation on technical research.

Ron O'Toole

Office Administration. Ron brings much wisdom and maturity to our team. With years of professional experience under his belt and an old school work ethic, Ron runs like a well oiled machine.

 

Rebecca McEwan

Office administration. Rebecca is a success story from the Clean Ocean Foundation run Cert II Conservation and Land Management Course. When we discovered her organisational skills, we just had to keep her on.

Carlo Iacovino

B. Media & Masters of Science (Sustainability) - Communications advisor and Brains Trust. Following completion of his degree in 2000, Carlo worked as a designer and communications specialist at a range of institutions including Monash University, the Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Region Biosphere Reserve, Hawthorn Community House and the Australian Population Institute. Volunteer work for the Surfrider Foundation led Carlo to a role as Communications Manager at the Clean Ocean Foundation in 2003. Advocacy,awareness and education were the focus of his work during this period of time. In 2006, Carlo was appointed CEO of the Clean Ocean Foundation by the committee and continues to work on ocean pollution issues such as water quality, treatment, recycling, monitoring programs, desalination, epidemiological health studies and sustainable coastal management. In 2008-09 Carlo completed a Masters in Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability in Karlskrona, Sweden. In 2010-11 he is working in the Pacific as part of the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) Program.

Anton Vigenser

B. Env. Sci (Env Mgt) Campaign Consultant. Anton has been a professional surf lifesaver at Gunnamatta and is a Mornington Peninsula surfer. After completing studies in Environmental Management at Deakin University, Anton became deply involved, firstly transforming the education program, then becoming CEO and leading the Foundation between 2008 and 2010, through the Victorian Parliament Inquiry into Melbourne's Water Supply, and the initial upgrade of the infamous Eastern Treatment Plant, meaning his home beach, Gunnamatta would be cleaner from 2012.

 

Simon Perraton

BSC, Law (Hon.) Simon joined the team whilst studying an Honours Degree in Law and Science at Monash University. Simon acts as a volunteer public advocate and helped raise awareness by by working with locals and other community groups . Simon worked as an environmental lawyer with Moreheads Lawyers and the Victorian Environmental Defenders Office. Simon has also just been accepted into a PhD.

Heidi Duell

Sponsorship. Talk to Heidi if you feel your business can get behind – and gain from – Clean Ocean Foundation campaigns. Heidi has also been the Project Coordinator of our Conservation and Land Management Project, which educated and empowered at a grassroots level, enabling students to work directly with a fabulous green network of environmental groups, individuals and organisations. Working for several years in the surf industry and a Mum, she has a vested interest in the future health and viability of the ocean that our family revolves around. Heidi has also run several events/fundraisers for COF over the years.

 

Prof Neil Hallam

Ph.D B.Sc. Brains trust. Dr Hallam offers one of Australia's most prestigious and experienced Forensic Horticultural and Agricultural Advisory Services.

Dr Hallam is formerly the head of the Department of Botany and Zoology / Ecology and Evoloutionary Biology at Monash University and previously Associate Dean, (Teaching) at the Faculty of Science.

He has undertaken research and advisory roles in Horticulture, Agriculture and Marine Biology including projects in Antarctica and offshore Marine Parks as well as acting in an advisory capacity to Parliamentary Committees and Government Projects.

To contact Dr Hallam please email neil.hallam@flindersconsulting.com.au