Jobs news: Indigenous owned design studio Yerrabingin has appointed Chris Mercer as its first managing director, leading a team of now 24 staff.
Since starting in 2018, the firm has worked on major projects such as Barangaroo Harbour Park, Sydney Metro Waterloo Station, and South Everleigh Native Rooftop Farm.
Mercer will work with the firm’s chief executive and founder, Christian Hampson, to navigate the rapid growth of the firm and steer the business into meeting strong demands from government, private developers, architects and tier 1 contractors and builders.
The design firm said that it had worked with Mercer in his previous role as the chief experience officer at the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) in Canberra, where the firm provided consulting on the renewal of the archive’s headquarters.
Mercer had also worked with the firm during his time at the engineering company Arup, where he was the Australasian arts and culture business leader. He said his close work with the Indigenous firm was what inspired him to join the team.
It was doing “deeply impactful work” and “had a unique ability to embed First Nations voices into the built environment and also support the most appropriate and sensitive way to engage with the community.”
“I’m looking forward to working with a great team on regenerative, socially inclusive projects.”
The design studio was founded in 2018 to bring Indigenous wisdom to contemporary design including designing with Country, landscape architecture and urban design.
Planet Ark in troubled days
Planet Ark Environmental Foundation, one of Australia’s largest environmental not-for-profit entered voluntary administration last week on 28 April following a board review of the organisation’s financial position and future viability. Michael Jones and Bruce Gleeson of Jones Partners have been appointed administrators
The foundation has been known for popularising environmental campaigns such as National Tree Day and National Recycling Week and was established in 1991 by Jon Dee, who left the organisation in 2007 and is now chair of the Forest Stewardship Council, and tennis legend Pat Cash.
The foundation’s board attributed its problems to the current economic climate, the impact of COVID-19 on stakeholder support and ongoing funding challenges. The board said the decision “provides an opportunity for an independent assessment of the organisation’s affairs” and allows the administrators to explore options for restructuring.
Dee told the ABC that he had longstanding concerns over the direction Planet Ark took after his departure, including its links with the timber industry. He also said that he had spoken to the administrators to see what could be done to save the organisation.
Kane Thornton announces resignation from Clean Energy Council
After 15 years at the Clean Energy Council and 10 years as its chief executive, Kane Thornton announced that he will resign from his role and the organisation in August.
Thornton wrote on social media that he was “ready for a break” and “it’s time for new leadership for the next exciting phase of Australia’s transition to a clean energy future”.
He added that after 15 years of intense leadership, it was time to “care for ourselves before we turn up and care for others.” But before then, there was “plenty to do” before his departure.
Clean Energy Council chair Ross Rolfe attributed many of the nation’s energy transformations to Thornton’s legacy. These included renewables becoming more than 40 per cent of Australia’s energy mix, as well as championing policy, investment environment, leading to the transition and growth of the sector, such as the Renewable Energy Target, Capacity Investment Scheme and the Hydrogen Headstart. He also attributed Thornton to influencing the creation of institutions such as ARENA and the CEFC, and industry initiatives such as the Connection Reform Initiative.
The CEC has commenced the search for its next CEO.
Scheider Electric starts Go Green Challenge
In collaboration with groups Youth Education & Entrepreneurship and Access to Energy, Schneider Electric has flagged a student innovation competition for currently enrolled students between the ages of 18 to 30. Participants must enter in a team of up to four members and preferably gender balanced.
The competition aims to support students and young entrepreneurs who are passionate about making a difference through innovation in renewable energy. The teams must create a sustainable solution for providing clean, affordable, renewable energy to communities in need, with a focus on solar power for agriculture and microbusinesses.
Winners win a share of €10,000, mentorship from a leader at Access to Energy, a solar family home kit and global exposure to enhance their professional profile.