Proud of our past, ready for our future.
Our Team
Hi Neighbour is a not for profit, volunteer organisation, energised with the power of the past and excitement for the future.
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Hi Neighbour, I’m Yael and I live with my beautiful family in the Illawarra, on Dharawal Country. I am grateful for the Dharawal custodianship of this land and hope to honour it with my work.
During the 2019–20 Black Summer Fires I was horrified by the destruction. In response I turned my life upside down. I abandoned my US Green Card, returning home to Australia as a symbol of my commitment to reducing CO2 emissions and working for positive climate action. Hi Neighbour is the brainchild of my resolve and I love my work steering this grassroots organisation where I get to work with passionate people and get things done.
Since we launched in April 2023 I am proud to say we have achieved practical wins for our community, both with scholarships and solar rooftops.
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Professional
Bachelor Metallurgy UoW
39 Years at Bluescope Steel
Technologist, Facilitator, Statistician
Volunteer
Stop CSG Research Team
Convenor Renew Illawarra Branch renew.org.au/
Coordinator of submissions to Wollongong City Council Climate Change Mitigation plan 2020 and 2023
Advocate for Community Batteries
Life Coach
Motto: Make a difference, Have fun
Goal: Remove much more CO2 than I have generated in my lifetime.
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Professional
Community Power Agency - community campaigner
Institute for Sustainable Futures UTS -External Communication Officer
UTS- Media Officer
Nature Conservation Council of NSW -Media and Communications Officer
Volunteer
Advisor, Renew Illawarra (2022 - present)
P&C executive member, Lindsay Park Public School (2021 - present)
Founding director, Blue Mountains Renewable Energy Cooperative (2013 – 2020)
Solar advocate, Solar Citizens (2013 – 2018)
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I’m a creative professional and mother of two, I grew up locally, on Dharawal Country, and I’ve always been environmentally minded. I’ve come to realise that focusing my efforts in clean energy is the most impactful way to ensure a happy healthy planet for our kids, so I’m thrilled to be the Scholarship Coordinator for Hi Neighbour – a role I’m ecstatic about.
My background includes a Master of Art Therapy from the University of Western Sydney and a Bachelor of Creative Arts from the University of Wollongong. Over the years, I’ve worked at UOW, a Sydney-based tech start-up and in community spaces, including co-founding Number 99, a creative workshop space in Port Kembla. I also dabble in freelance writing when I get the time by contributing to local mags.
I am most happy with a few projects on the go simultaneously, I fill any other time I have by volunteering with local campaigns.
I spend my downtime playing with my kids, devouring books, drinking cups of tea with my chickens, swimming laps in the pool or in the sea, and stand up paddle boarding.
Professional
Co-founder | Number 99 (2024 – present)
Freelance Writer | Local mags (2023 – present)
Content Developer | Drop Bio Health (2020 – 2023)
Interdisciplinary Research Assistant & Art Therapist | University of Wollongong (2014 – 2020)
Volunteer
Co-organiser | Sit-In Swim-Out for Yes for a Voice Campaign (2023)
Volunteer | Good For the Gong (Ongoing)
Parent | (2016 – present)
Education
Master of Art Therapy | University of Western Sydney (2014)
Bachelor of Creative Arts | University of Wollongong (2012
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I'm Carly, an artist and producer living on Dharawal land.
As a professional, I run the UniGO: Global Opportunity Program for the University of Tasmania.
As a theatre-maker, I create live film, video, and performance works with my company re:group performance collective.
As a website builder, I work with people and projects I find inspiring to create meaningful designs that make a lasting impact.
I spent the last five years living in wonderful nipaluna Hobart and have recently returned home to the South Coast to be closer to family.
Our Board
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My mob are the Yuin people.
I have mostly worked in the community sector and am particularly interested in community development and engagement type projects. Jack of all trades with involvement in service development, delivery, grant writing, evaluation research, mentoring/support frameworks. frontline advocacy, and mediation skills.
In my personal time I am a volunteer recreational run coach for Illawarra Deadly Runners & get involved in local NGO’s that align with my core values of helping others and Indigenous affairs.
I’m honoured to continue the legacy started by my grandfather and Shoalhaven mob; of being in relationship with the uni and to continue the process of respectfully embedding culture into the fabric of our community. The Brown name and essence of my grandfather remains with his opinionated, stubborn grandson (me) coming on 30 years of Brown family at @uow.
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Darryl Best is part of the Board of Directors at Hi Neighbour. Another example of the incredible volunteer energy powering our work.
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I’m a senior advisor to the Smart Energy Council and Hydrogen Australia, as well as an author, researcher and policy advisor. I am an expert in climate change, renewable energy, water and public policy. I was born and bred in coal country in Victoria and am passionate about working with communities on the transition to a clean energy economy. I am married to Sarah and have two teenage children, Astrid and Atticus.
In my role as Executive Director Renewable Energy for the Victorian Government, I led renewable energy policy and programs across Victoria. I’m a current member of the Energy Transition Hub — Strategic Advisory Panel at the University of Melbourne and work as a consultant to governments, businesses and community organisations, including the New South Wales Government. I was recently a senior adviser on a project for that state government developing strategies for industry transitions to net-zero emissions in the Hunter and Illawarra regions. I am now working with Lithgow City Council to transform the region from coal to a renewables led new energy economy.
I’m a senior adviser to the Smart Energy Council’s Zero Carbon Certification Scheme for renewable hydrogen, renewable ammonia and renewable metals.
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Inspired by Mandela, Gandhi and Malala, my mission in life is to ‘trust life fully, live fearlessly and serve all beings around me, human and non-human’. Having grown up in India with the very real potential of ending up on the streets, I’ve instead been blessed with a full life, filled with adventure and wonder. I’ve studied in top-ranked universities such as the University of Delhi and the University of Macerata, on prestigious scholarships; I’ve worked with top-tier corporates, policy-makers, and not-for-profits including t33 srl in Italy, Amnesty International and Southern Cross University; I’ve made my own offbeat movies exploring the purpose of life; I’ve co-founded grassroots-level social change movements; and now I amplify and expand AIME’s powerful Indigenous-led work worldwide as US CEO and mentor.
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Hi, I'm Tanya, a proud local who's lived in the Illawarra my whole life. I take a 'Think Global, Act Local' approach to both work and life. While my career has taken me all over the world, it's my local community and family who keep me grounded.
I've recently resigned from the day-to-day management of my business, Buckaroo Leatherworks. Over the last twenty years I've developed a range of skills from marketing to fiscal management to operations and strategic planning and also PR and brand storytelling. I also have a sound understanding of WHS, workers’ comp law and corporate governance.
I am a mum of five and raise my kids to be accepting, kind and loving human beings. I am committed to helping others heal from the effects of the family diseases of alcoholism and addiction and I also facilitate women's circles.
I am fun, energetic, curious and creative and I have a deep respect for the First Nations people of Australia.
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Hi I’m Diane Lawrence, born and raised in Wollongong, NSW. I am a Senior Data Analyst for the Australian Public Service who lives and breathes data and enjoys a good looking chart! I have a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Business Administration. I am the secretary for Hi Neighbour and I provide the team with general administration support.
I am driven by doing my part to ensure a better future for my daughters. I enjoy spending time with my family, doing yoga, pilates, and creating handmade soap.
Trusted Partners
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Hi Neighbour is extremely grateful for the ongoing support of Arnold Bloch Leibler
Peter Seidel - partner at Arnold Bloch Leibler and his team have be with Hi Neighbour from the very beginning providing exceptional legal council, and organisational support.
For many years now Peter has been highlighted as one of Australia’s leading lawyers by prominent international legal guides Chambers Asia Pacific, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific and Best Lawyers International in the area of native title and traditional owner rights, for his deep commitment to empowering traditional owners. Complementing this, Peter has been similarly recognised by Chambers Asia Pacific in the area of charities for his wealth of experience working for the not-for-profit sector on a range of matters including constitutional, governance and contractual issues.
In 2020, Peter was awarded Lawyers Weekly ‘Pro Bono Partner of the Year’. Peter is also a previous recipient of the prestigious Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s Human Rights Award in the Law Category, in recognition of his significant contribution to the promotion and advancement of human rights in Australia.
Amongst other important Indigenous bodies Peter represents, he acts as a trusted adviser to Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, Anindilyakwa Land Council, Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation, First Australians Capital, Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, Lowitja Institute, Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation and Wantok Musik Foundation.
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Hi Neighbour is extremely grateful for the ongoing support of Kearney Group.
Paul Kearney - founder and CEO of Kearney Group, which has been pioneering truly integrated financial advice for businesses and households since 1986.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne, and is a Certified Financial Planner®, Certified Practicing Accountant and a member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia and the Association of Financial Advisers.
Under his leadership, Kearney Group has grown into an award-winning team of over 50 multi-disciplinary professionals, dreamers, doers and visionaries with an eye for disruption. Most recently, Paul and the Group have brought to market a suite of sustainable ESG investments, Ethos Managed Portfolios.
The Group continues to be widely recognised for its commitment to professional excellence, client service and innovation. Most notable are the firm’s national accolades, which include being named the Association of Financial Advisers’ Australian Practice of the Year and BT Financial’s two-time National Practice of the Year.
Paul is a Director of renowned social enterprises, The Big Issue and Homes for Homes. In 2020, he provided seed funding for the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Lab at Deakin University’s NIKERI Institute. More recently, he has been welcomed to the board of AIME Mentoring and joined forces with Hi Neighbour.