Jess Robertson is a wildlife carer and long time advocate for Australia’s native wildlife. With more than 25 years of experience in animal advocacy, she has led successful campaigns raising pubic awareness about the plight of koalas, including the Save Gordon Koalas campaign and, more recently, helping to expose the aerial shooting of koalas at Budj Bim National Park.

Jess spent over two decades working in the university sector as a learning designer and video producer, developing educational material and communicating complex ideas into digital media. She is now transitioning her professional focus towards conservation, combining her communication expertise with practical, hands-on environmental work.

After completing a certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management, Jess is continuing her studies with a Diploma in the same field while training towards a career as an environmental consultant. Her academic background also includes a Bachelor of Media Arts,and Diploma of Visual Arts, reflecting her strong foundation in education, communication and creative practice. Through her advocacy, education, and fieldwork, Jess is committed to strengthening protections for Australia’s wildlife and supporting evidence-based conservation outcomes.

Judith is a Delegate for DarkSky International and Secretary with DarkSky Victoria. Judith has been advocating for preservation of the night sky for over 30 years. Judith belongs to a number of environmental groups and is a past Manager of the Ballarat Municipal Observatory and Museum. Preserving the Environment for future generations and protecting our heritage, encompassing the values of thousands of years, is the best way forward.

February 14, 1990, while 3.7 billion miles (6 billion kilometers) away from Earth, NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft turned its camera back toward the inner solar system to take a final “family portrait” of the planets.

This historic event was proposed by astronomer Carl Sagan and, as requested, resulted in a 60-frame mosaic that showed six of the planets in our solar system as tiny speck. The Pale Blue Dot is where every living thing has been or will be on our unique Planet Earth, including Koalas. Jane Goodall, said “you cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you,” and urged people to choose whether their impact is positive or negative. Positive is my path.

Andrew is a highly experienced builder and carpenter with over 37 years in the construction industry. For 20 of those years, he successfully ran his own building company, managing all aspects of the business, including accounts and operations.

Passionate about the environment and sustainability, Andrew regularly volunteers in conservation activities such as tree planting and habitat restoration. A skilled carpenter, he also donates his time and expertise to wildlife rescue efforts, building enclosures, designing and constructing nest boxes, and teaching others how to create safe habitats for native species alongside his wildlife carer partner.

As Treasurer, Andrew brings a strong mix of practical skills, financial management experience, and a deep commitment to wildlife conservation.

Nat began her animal advocacy journey over 20 years ago when she joined the Coalition Against Duck Shooting, to rescue wounded ducks. She quickly realised that whilst rescue was vital to save the lives of individual animals, advocacy had the ability to bring about long lasting change for many animals.

She joined the Animal Justice Party to learn more about political advocacy, and volunteered as the Victorian advocacy manager for 5 years and the national advocacy manager for 6 months, supporting members in making submissions, and coordinating campaigns and campaign working groups.

Currently, she divides her time between working as the campaign director for Koala Alliance, Coordinating Geelong Duck Rescue, and Advocacy for a Kinder World.

Michelle Thomas is a dedicated koala rehabilitator with a passion for the rescue and care of these iconic Australian animals. With extensive experience in bushfire response, she plays a crucial role in rehabilitating koalas affected by environmental disasters. Michelle is also a strong advocate for koalas, leveraging her expertise to raise awareness and promote conservation efforts. As a subject matter expert, she engages in research and collaborates with citizen scientists to enhance understanding and protection of koalas in their natural habitats. Her commitment to wildlife care and education continues to inspire others to take action in preserving these beloved creatures.