CERES Board

The 13 dedicated people making up the CERES Board for the coming year are:

  1. Robert Larocca (Chairperson)
  2. Elisabeth Jackson (Deputy Chair & Public Officer)
  3. Sue Lewis (Secretary)
  4. Thomas Dobson (Treasurer)
  5. Adam Terrill
  6. Jaime de Loma-Osorio Ricon
  7. Leonie Van Raay
  8. Phuong Le
  9. Staff representative TBC
  10. Jo Connellan
  11. Noel Blencowe
  12. Cathy Nixon
  13. Cinnamon Evans

The CERES Board requires a minimum of 11 members, including one Team Leader. Currently there are 3 Team Leaders, bringing the number of members on the Board this year to 13.

Board member bios

Robert Larocca
I have been on the CERES Board for around 9 yeas now, the last five of those as the Chairperson. I came to CERES after two terms as a Councillor in the City of Moreland. I decided at the end of the time on Council that I should take on a role in the governance of a local not for profit orgainisation, and where better than CERES.
I live in North Coburg with my wife Melanie and two young boys where are members of CERES food co-op.
From a work perspective I am currently a manager at the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, a role I have held since leaving private consultancy in the middle of the year.
I can be reached on 0409 198 350 or Robert_larocca@yahoo.com.au

Sue Lewis
I have been hanging out at CERES for many years as a friend, Kingfisher festival devotee, bike rider, parent, supporter, coffee drinker, occasional ‘CreekDresser’, and even a gig as a fire twirler. 
My university study was in environmental science and education and this has led to a lifetime of either working for the planet, teaching about the planet or visiting amazing places on the planet.  I currently work at the National Centre for Sustainability at Swinburne University and feel strongly about making a contribution there to sustainability education and training for a more sustainable low carbon future.
CERES has been an inspiration in my life about the power of people and community to take action and make a difference – I am proud to be a CERES Board Member and make a small contribution to such a great community.

Phuong Le
I'm a member of the Brunswick Community Chook Group and tend to the flock every second Saturday. I work in an eco-architecture firm, co-convene the Moreland Bicycle Users Group and am on the Moreland Council Bicycle Advisory Committee.
I have been Sustainable Architects Working Group Convenor (Australian Institute of Architects); Environment Convenor (University of Sydney Union); Environment Officer (Sydney University SRC); Sydney Critical Mass media liaison.
In addition to my commitment to environmental issues I am interested in facilitating a sense of community within CERES. I am passionate about standing up for people's rights and equality.
ms.phuong.l@gmail.com

Elizabeth Jackson
Elisabeth Jackson has been involved with Ceres since its inception.  She was a Councillor at Brunswick City Council at the time it agreed to lease the site to the fledgling Ceres group and, more recently, has been a Board member since 2000.
She has always been excited by the constant expansion of Ceres and its evolving role in promoting sustainablity and providing a community focus.   Elisabeth worked in public libraries for many years and is now semi-retired - allowing time for voluntary work at Ceres and at Melbourne Zoo.
alinic@vicnet.net.au / 9380 4873

Jaime de Loma-Osorio
Jaime de Loma-Osorio lives in Brunswick with his partner and son. Jaime works for Banksia Gardens Community Centre, Broadmeadows, as the Centre's Community Development Coordinator.
In his role he is responsible for the development and implementation of programs related to youth, environmental education and human rights. Jaime's interests are quite diverse and include social and environmental issues, science and languages.He has qualifications in Science (M. Sc. in Applied Physics) and in December 2009 will complete a Master of Engineering in Sustainable Energy at RMIT. Jaime has also recently received training from the Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission to become a Human Rights Facilitator.
jaimeloma86@hotmail.com

Leonie Van Raay
QUALIFICATIONS:   B of Ed.  B.A.
EXPERIENCE:   Retired.  Many years experience in education and also in manufacturing businesses. Previously Director of a Finance Company.
Have run Precision Foundation ( a charitable trust) since 1994.  This has supported many charities in Victoria and some overseas.
PARTICIPATION IN CERES:  On Committee of Management(Board) since 2006.  Major donor for CERES Stage 2.
2007 + 2008 formed a small committee to look at Cultural Village.  Raised $50,000 and refurbished the village.
2008+2009 Chair of Project Steering Committee for CERES Stage 2.
WHY I CHOSE CERES:   My main aim is to find ways to empower people to overcome difficulties. I see CERES  as a place that provides broad community access so that initiatives can be created to enhance social equity  as well as environmental sustainability and cultural richness.

Thomas Dobson
Thomas Dobson works in Business Banking for NAB in Melbourne. Prior to this he spent 8 years working as a business strategy consultant to large organisations in a diverse range of industries around the Asian region and lived for extended periods in India & Malaysia. He has undergraduate degrees from Melbourne University and an MBA from INSEAD in France. He has been a Board Member and Treasurer for the Moreland Community Childcare Co-Operative (MCCCC) since 2007. Originally from Canberra, Thomas has lived in Brunswick for 6 years and recently renovated a local 1920s Californian Bungalow – fortunately that is now complete and he is looking forward to spending more time at CERES on weekends!

Adam
Adam holds a Bachelor of Planning and Urban Development from Melbourne University and a Masters of Environmental Science from Monash University. He is a Principal Town Planner at Tract Consultants in Richmond, who are involved in the professional services of landscape architecture, urban design and town planning.  
Outside work, Adam enjoys bushwalking, football and renovating his turn of the century Victorian in Melbourne’s inner west.   
This is the 2nd year of Adams involvement in the CERES board. Adam has taken an active involvement in the Site Group Sub-Committee, discussing major site issues and the challenges of accommodating more services and people with a fixed amount of space.
Adam brings the board experience in environmental science, practical knowledge of how CERES can influence urban lifestyles, and an appreciation of the needs of the next generation of CERES visitors and members.

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