TROY EATON
 |
Eaton Troy |
What made you decide to undertake this course?
I was given an opportunity to study by my employer and they
allowed me to choose a course. I am passionate about sustainability
and appreciate that understanding the fundamentals of the subject
is necessary when acting as a driver of initiatives domestically
and in the workplace. The course at Swinburne provided subject matter
that ticked all the boxes.
Why did you choose Swinburne?
I chose Swinburne after researching various courses in the
field of sustainability at a number of educational institutions
both locally and overseas. Swinburne provided a portfolio of subjects
that covered all of my interests and were also key areas of understanding
required to effectively implement sustainability initiatives in
my workplace.
What are you doing now?
Now that I have completed the course I am heading up the
sustainability resource facility for the not for profit trade association
that I work for. This facility in intended to become a key point
of reference for members and I intend to develop the role to become
a key consultant to member organisations wishing to implement sustainability
initiatives including strategy development, employment, future planning
etc.
What have you gained from the course?
This course has given me a fantastic grounding in the areas
of systemic thinking and social construction. The lecturers, their
experience and the way in which the course exposes you to and encourages
you to participate in alternative ways of thinking and assessing
our lives and daily activity is extremely valuable. It has changed
the way I view myself, the planet and our future.
What has your favourite aspect of the course been?
Definitely the exposure to systemic thinking and some fantastic
reading material that I don't think I would have otherwise accessed.
The great emphasis placed on group discussion and the encouragement
to bring even the most abstract and even taboo issues to an open
forum was very refreshing, challenging and positive.
How do you foresee your qualification helping you in the
future? What are your plans for the future?
Having
a qualification such as this will provide great support and weight
when working towards the private and commercial goals I have set
out for sustainability. The fundamentals of the qualification are
so versatile that it adapts itself to any initiative or pursuit.
I intend to build on this qualification in the future.
RICHARD ROWE
What made you decide to undertake this course?A need for a career change with a focus on sustainability led me to consider returning to study. I was attracted to this specific course because the syllabus did not solely focus on technical fixes to complex sustainable challenges but on developing personal and societal capacity for change.
Why did you choose Swinburne?
I chose Swinburne for a number of reasons including the syllabus,
the reputation of the Centre for Sustainability, the quality of
the teaching staff and also the online component of the course (recognising
that online delivery is not perfect) which provided me with the
flexibility I needed to balance family, professional and study demands.
What are you doing now? I have completed
the course. I am about to transfer into a new role within the Innovation
department and I will be focussing on how innovation can help in
solving sustainability challenges.
What have you gained from the course? I
have gained a new appreciation for the complexity of the problem,
access to new frameworks and processes to assist in understanding
the issues at a deeper level, and a passion to take personal responsibility
for my own actions and to help others where I can.
What has your favourite aspect of the course been?
Interaction with the teachers and other students during the
contact sessions and diving into the content of the course. My favourite
subject was Energy for the Future which has opened to me a whole
new dimension on the world and the sustainability challenges we
face. Before we can solve the problems, we must better understand
them and this subject has helped me understand Energy and its role
in our lives.
How do you foresee your qualification helping you in the
future? What are your plans for the future? From
a career perspective the course has provided some academic credibility
to back up my personal desire to change career path. It has further
cemented my belief that I can make a difference and combine a passion
and a career. My future plans are to combine my interest in Sustainability
and Innovation.
GARETH JOHNSON
 |
Gareth Johnson |
Gareth graduated from the Graduate Certificate in Sustainability in 2005. He is a Sydney based sustainable energy consultant advising established and emerging business on strategic opportunities. Technology development, market changes and climate impact my clients' business. Clients seek answers to questions such as ‘How prepared are we for change?' ‘What are my risks?' ‘How are our stakeholders impacted?'
The Graduate Certificate in Sustainability has helped me answer such questions but has also forced me to consider new dimensions. The course tutors bring real world meaning to the subjects and support our development in a challenging but constructive environment. The diversity of participants, their energy and the quality of group learning has amazed me and freshened my perspective. I have also formed deep friendships with very interesting people!
I believe this course has transformed my thinking and broadened my awareness. The Graduate Certificate in Sustainability has given me the opportunity to face real world challenges with increased confidence. I look forward positively, to meeting new challenges and finding ways of delivering sustainable outcomes for all.
BILL HILL
 |
Bill Hill |
Bill graduated from the Graduate Certificate in Sustainability in 2004 after a desire to undertake some tertiary qualifications. He has a strong passion for sustainability and life long learning.
Bill has been farming angus cattle, fine merino sheep and prime lambs at Warrenbayne in NE Victoria, Australia since 1969. He is a trained life coach to help share his experiences and generate new ways of thinking.
A message from Bill: "The environment we need most need to change is the one between our ears. We need new mindscapes to conceive new landscapes. I am developing a sustainable grazing system, which I call Mosaic Farming, seeking to combine a quadruple bottom line, ecologically sustainable, economically viable, socially responsible and incorporating an ethical and spiritual dimension."
More information on Bill can be found at his website: http://www.billhill.com.au