Vision
HEALTHY, BEAUTIFUL AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES WHERE CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL
About
Material Institute Lutruwita / Tasmania was founded in 2021 by Mona’s Kirsha Kaechele.
Based in Bridgewater, Tasmania, our team runs community events, social enterprises and food education programs at community hubs and schools across the state.
We’re a sister organisation to Material Institute NOLA.
Our Board
Founder and Chair
Kirsha Kaechele
Experience and Expertise
Kirsha is an artist, curator, designer and philanthropist. Kirsha has been involved with charities and not-for-profits for over twenty years in both Australia and the United States. Kirsha is an experienced fundraiser and advocate for disadvantaged and impoverished communities.
Director
John Balazs
Qualifications
LLM (Hons) Sydney University; Admitted in NSW 19 December 1979
Experience and Expertise
John has over forty years experience as a legal practitioner in Australia and Europe. John was formerly a partner of Ernst & Young, Price Waterhouse and Baker & McKenzie.
Social Responsibilities
Member of the Finance sub-committee
Director
Kellyanne Williams
Experience and Expertise
Kellyanne has twenty years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, having worked for Save The Children and numerous other community associations. Kellyanne brings unique community passion and experience to the Board.
Director
Nic Whyte
Qualifications
B.Fine Arts
Experience and Expertise
Nic is a Creative Technologist with 25 years experience in systems and service design for the cultural sector. As the CTO and Co-Founder of Art Processors, he has led innovative projects that redefine how people from all backgrounds can engage with cultural narratives. Nic is committed to advancing the mission of Material Institute, fostering initiatives that empower students to create a sustainable future for themselves and their communities.
Director, Secretary
Patrick Kelly
Qualifications
B. Com, CPA
Experience and Expertise
Patrick has nearly thirty years of financial and management experience. He’s worked for three state governments, large private enterprises and a publicly listed company, mostly on the financial side of things.
Social Responsibilities
Treasurer and Chair of the Finance sub-committee
Team
24 Carrot Gardens High School Program Manager
Andy Rushton
A high school teacher before joining our ranks, Andy loves getting out into the garden with students, teaching lifelong practical skills outside the classroom. When not with us, he’s hanging with family and friends, surfing or chilling on the family hobby farm.
Artist
Catherine Woo
Passionate about materials and making, Catherine’s been working and exhibiting in Australia and overseas for over twenty years. Loves natural materials and environments, and sharing them with students and the public.
Ceramic Artist / Potter
Georgie Vozar
Georgie makes it all. Big pots. Little pots. Pots that don’t look like pots. Pots that aren’t pots at all. Was literally raised in a pottery. Big believer in the therapeutic side of arts practice.
24 Carrot Gardens Northern Program Manager
Joanne Dean
Jo’s been teaching sustainable food growing for ten years, in Australia and Fiji. A teacher of permaculture design and mentor for village and community groups, they’re also the state rep for Community Gardens Australia. Keen kayaker.
Operations Manager
Jordan Wright
Came across from the world of People and Culture (or HR). Jordan enjoys getting to wear many hats in a young, ambitious organisation. Likes enabling others, solving problems pragmatically, learning, and playing sports badly.
24 Carrot Gardens Program Manager
Kristina McCarthy
Compost whiz. Handy with power tools. Bird nerd. Passionate food garden educator and practitioner (with ten years experience as one of our in-school educators). Spends every spare moment outdoors, with a camera.
Business Manager
Lisa Lods
With a tech and commercial background, Lisa has over 25 years in the personal care and essential oils industries. Lisa heads up our Beauty Lab and social enterprise aspects of Material Institute. She is passionate about transporting the curious through the journey of beauty, science, enterprise, nature, technology, sustainability and imagination.
Head Horticulturalist
Louise Sales
Originally from Scotland (and therefore suited to chilly Bridgewater mornings), Lou grows the veg and seedlings that make 24 Carrot Gardens tick. With a background in conservation and environmental advocacy, she’s excited to finally have her hands in the dirt full time.
Botanical Site crew
Marcia Travers
A regular visitor, we eventually asked Marcia to come aboard officially to share her skill and passion for sewing, arts and crafts, as well as help in the garden. In her spare time you’ll find her out in her kayak or getting away with her daughter and dogs.
Creative Producer Material Institute / KK Projects Mona
Martin Blackwell
An old hand who shuffled across from Mona, Marty’s our resident musicologist—player, producer, general dab-hand organiser of anything that can carry a tune. Lover of the visual arts and possessor of an extensive instrument collection.
Partnership and Project Lead
Minna Bright
Steward of our network of partnerships, donors, suppliers, service providers and community advocates, Minna also works on the project side, spreadsheeting up a storm to support our new developments and ongoing programs.
24 Carrot Gardens Development Manager
Reuben Parker-Greer
He likes to help things grow strong and healthy, whether it’s plants, landscapes, people or community: loves the lot. Works directly with schools and students to create their gardens, from shared vision to nurturing plants in the ground.
CEO
Sarah Proud
Passionate about people, equality and the planet. Bit of a penchant for pondering ‘emergent systems and strategy’. Plans to sail to Fiji when she grows up.
24 Carrot Gardens Program Manager
Simon Dunne
Proud problem solver, listener and practical do-er. Wants to make meaningful impacts and empower others using his background in architecture, community engagement and horticulture. Thinks (via Tolkien, and the science of mycelium networks) that trees can talk; we just have to learn how to listen.
24 Carrot Gardens Program Manager
Tamas Oszvald
Trained woodcarver and carpenter—as well as the senior project manager for our southern primary schools—Tamas designs and builds outdoor furniture for our school gardens. Also has a PhD, runs a family theatre group, and the rest.
Botanical Site Crew
Tenille Forster
An active member of our community, Tenille’s been with us since we launched our Bond Place site in 2018. While maintaining and harvesting the gardens at Botanical, she particularly enjoys working with the bees and getting around the community events.
Head Chef
Vladimir Panevin
Joined us after more than a decade cooking in some of Tassie’s best restaurants. Big into seasonal produce, sustainability and ethically raised animals, so it feels like he’s in the right place. Responsible for all things food-y.
Content Manager
Yasmin Mund
Helps us look our best in all things visual, content and internet when she’s not studying permaculture, bush regeneration and general backyard food growing. Loves foraging seaside, roadside, or in the garden.