Who We Are

Firestarter is built on foundations which focus on integrity, professionalism, attention to detail and customer satisfaction,
Firestarter provide leading edge services for its clients.

The Senior Management Staff are:

Arron Wood - Managing Director
 
Dr Cathy Oke - Senior Project Manager
 
Richard Wood - Education Manager
 



Arron Wood

 Arron Wood: B. Forest Science, Melbourne University

Arron Wood has spent most of his life growing up in the country on a billabong. A keen sportsman, Arron's family has strongly influenced his appreciation for the environment and education. Arron has already achieved more than most of us would in a life time.

As winner of the 2006 United Nations Individual Award for Outstanding Service to the Environment Arron was also the 2001 Young Australian of the Year (National Environment Winner). Arron holds a degree in Forest Science from the University of Melbourne and is currently the youngest Board Member of the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority.

Arron's commitment to the environment was covered on ABC's Australian Story in 2004 and he hosted Channel Seven documentary Our Water, Our Future which aired in 2005. His previous roles have seen him with Lower Murray Water Authority, Mildura Rural City Council and the Mallee Catchment Management Authority. Arron was the youngest Waterway Manager in the State of Victoria by some ten years and held the Deputy Chair of the Victorian Waterway Managers Group in 1999.

Arron is now the Director of Firestarter Pty Ltd, an environmental communication and education consultancy business driven by his strong interest in getting the community involved in the environment. The business works through major event organisation, project management, education campaigns and innovative company promotion methods aimed at natural resource management agencies and the community. Arron initiated and now runs the highly successful International River Health Conference for students from around the world. He brought stars such as Killing Heidi, Peter Garrett, the John Butler Trio, the Totally Wild team, the Big Arvo Team, Saturday Disney, Myf Warhurst, Deputy PM John Anderson and Stefano de Pieri to teach kids about the environment.

As Director of Firestarter Pty Ltd, Arron was also the youngest Board Member on the Sunraysia Area Consultative Committee, was an ambassador for National Youth Week, a Steering Committee Member Lead On Australia Program, had his own fortnightly regional ABC Radio Program on the environment and a monthly country viewpoint on ABC Radio National discussing rural issues. Arron has appeared on Network TEN's Good Morning Australia and Totally Wild, and Channel 7's Sunrise, Big Arvo and Saturday Disney. In 2001 he was chosen as the Australian representative for the 25 most inspirational 25 year olds from around the world as profiled in French Canadian Magazine, La Actualite'. Arron is also writing a book, a teacher's resource on kids teaching kids about the environment.

Arron's River Health Conference became a finalist in the prestigious 2002, 2003 and 2004 Eureka Science Prize and he received The Centenary Medal for outstanding contribution to conservation and the environment, awarded by the Governor-General in 2003. Arron was a finalist in the 2003 and 2005 Prime Minister's Environmentalist of the Year, and his program was a finalist in the 2004 and 2005 Banksia Awards and the 2004, 2005 and winner of the 2006 UNAA Awards.

Further details:
  • One of ten Friday Magazines Most Inspirational People for 2003, which included people like Steve Irwin, Troy Cassar-Daley, hurdler Jana Pittman etc
  • Participant in the inaugural Young Rural Leaders Program
  • One of Ten Australian Participants awarded a $40,000 scholarship on the 2002 15th Ship for World Youth Program
  • Current Working Group Member of the National Environmental Education Council
  • Current Watermark Australia Champion
  • Judge of the 2005 Humanitarian Awards, 2005 Powercor/Prime Business Awards and the 2006 National Landcare Awards
  • Current Member of the Policy Committee of the Victorian Environmental Education Council
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Cathy Oke

Cathy Oke B. Sc. (Hons), PhD, Senior Project Manager, Firestarter Pty Ltd

Cathy Oke has studied and worked in the environment field, specialising in marine and fisheries conservation, environmental education and communication and event management, for over 17 years. Cathy has a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Marine Biology and Zoology, and an Honours degree in Genetics. Her PhD looked at the use of a genetic tool in fisheries management, using microsatellite DNA markers to discriminate stocks of orange roughy across its global range.

Cathy is the Senior Project Manager for Firestarter Pty Ltd. She is responsible for the management and implementation of a range of major Firestarter Projects including the Melbourne Water Youth Conferences (held on World Environment Day each year), the International Youth Coastal Conference (held every second year), the ResourceSmart Schools Awards program and Awards ceremony. She has also managed the 2005 Australian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (ANCID) Conference, the Victorian River Health and Youth Environment Conferences and the NSW River Health Conference.

Cathy is responsible for all facets of major environmental event management such as the writing and pitching of sponsor proposals, drafting and presentation of media campaigns, liaison with stakeholder groups, development of detailed work plans, management of event contractors, marketing and promotion of events, development of event merchandise and drafting proposals for new events.

Prior to joining Firestarter, Cathy was the manager of environmental information at Earth Systems, a Melbourne based environmental consulting company. She was the project manager for large projects such as The Australian Water Map and The Water Map of Melbourne.

In 2000-2002 Cathy worked in London with the International Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a group using an eco-label to reward well-managed fisheries. She started as their Communications Officer, working with the media, and organising many events with the theme of sustainable seafood. Cathy then progressed to work as the Supply Chain Manager for the MSC, ensuring traceability of the eco-label.

In these roles and during her studies Cathy has given presentations to over 100 audiences in over 10 countries.

Cathy is currently the Chair of the ICLEI (Local Government for Sustainability) Oceania Board, and is on the global organisations executive committee and management committee. Cathy is a Councillor at the City of Melbourne.

Cathy was a member of the Victorian Government's Fisheries Co-Mangement Council - Marine and Estuarine FisheryCommittee, and also Fisheries Revenue Allocation Committee. She was a committee member of the Victorian Aquaculture Advisory Group. She has also served on the executive of the Environmental Jobs Network.

cathy@fire-starter.com.au Top


Richard Wood

Richard Wood. Education consultant and workshop manager, Firestarter Pty Ltd
BA Monash., BEd.Deakin, BEd Lote [Indonesian] Latrobe,TACT Melbourne.

As education consultant Richard has worked for many years on curriculum and teaching and learning opportunities in the environmental field. His 35 years as a practitioner has made him a truly brilliant educator - the last 17 years of his career with the Department of Education in Victoria were spent as a Principal.

At Firestarter, Richard manages the Kids Teaching Kids approach the conferences use as delegates prepare workshops to present at the events. Richard ensures students and teachers are well prepared and have the appropriate skills and advice for the journey they take in creating a presentation at the conference.

Richard has also worked as a consultant teacher and administrator for the department of education Victoria and in the United States. He has projects that have gained State and National accolades such as the Age State curriculum Initiatives award, The Age Curriculum Excellence Award,The Ford One Planet Environment Award and the North Ltd State Landcare Award. Awards for award sake are of little importance, however they demonstrate the commitment and endeavour of the team required to undertake a successful project.

With Firestarter Richard has worked for Family and Children's Services Western Australia presenting conflict resolution and team building work shops. He also co-manages and presents the behavioural change program for adults, recently seen in action at the Victorian Arts Centre.

As a strong proponent of the kids teaching kids concept embraced by Firestarter at their conferences, Richard believes that any concept can be open to student learning if we start from the child's understanding and interest level.

rrddwood@bigpond.com

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