G’day everyone, thanks for taking the time to learn about myself and the rest of our great team.

I joined 4Pillars earlier this year and have been lucky enough to be involved in all aspects of the business, including undertaking field work, writing reports, sourcing clients, and attending professional development courses. It’s hard to pin down what I like most about the job, because there is honestly nothing that I don’t like, but the great team atmosphere and variety of work I get to take part in sure make it easier to get out of bed each morning! I particularly enjoy applying the knowledge I gained studying and in previous jobs to meaningful projects, in which I can see the positive outcomes for the environment and wider community.

I have always had a strong interest in science and the outdoors, which influenced me to study a Bachelor of Environmental Systems at the University of Sydney. Nearing completion of my degree, I realised I wasn’t quite ready to join the workforce, and also wanted to learn more. I looked into my options and, in the end, decided to pack my bags and move overseas to undertake a double degree (Master of Environmental Science and Agriculture) at the University of Hohenheim in Germany and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. This was definitely the right choice, as it allowed me to be independent, make friends from various cultures, and increase my knowledge and passion for environmental issues. My Master’s thesis Plant phosphorus availability of thermally treated sewage sludge was very well received, and I was chosen to present this at the 2016 Euroleague for Life Sciences Student Scientific Conference in Germany.

After returning to Australia over two years later, I obtained a role as a Resource Recovery Officer with Cleanaway in Blacktown, in which I was critical in delivering the Council’s residential recycling improvement project. The project involved bin audits, community education, and liaising with Council officers. I also attended various site visits and workshops, at one of which I met James Hammond, the Director of 4Pillars, who told me about the company and its values. These immediately resonated with me, and I had the strong desire to one day work for a similar company. Who knew I’d be lucky enough to work for that exact one!

My time at Cleanaway increased my interest in the waste industry, and after another stint overseas (this time in Iceland for a world scout event), I was able to use my professional network to obtain a short-term role as a Hypercare team member for the roll-out of the container deposit scheme across NSW. I utilised my knowledge of the waste industry, passion for recycling, and good people skills to assist me in this role, which saw me driving throughout the state to inspect collection locations and assist their operators to operate effectively. I ended up staying for three months, in which time I drove 20,535 km (!), but was very glad when the opportunity came up to join the 4Pillars team.

Aside from work, I am a Scout Leader (of 11-14 year olds) and a Rover (18-26 year olds), which means I spend a lot of my spare time camping, canyoning, sailing, caving, and basically anything else that gets me adventuring outdoors. I also volunteer with the Sydney Heritage Fleet, who operate a fleet of around 10 vessels on Sydney Harbour, though I am mostly involved with the 1874 Tall Ship James Craig. I have a few motorbikes that I ride and maintain, and I love to travel. I’ve got my fingers crossed that one day I’ll be able to use my German skills I learnt while at university at my job, so if anyone in Germany needs some Australian environmental consulting, please let us know.

A couple of my favourite books are Ben Kozel’s “Three Men In A Raft” and “Five Months In A Leaky Boat”, which are both about real life adventures he and some mates took without much preparation. This goes against the scout motto of Be Prepared, but it is inspiring to hear what is possible if you just get up and go, and it sure sounds like fun. The Lives of Others would have to be close to the top of the list of my favourite movies, as it shows the good that can be hidden away in people.

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