Our Trainers
Melissa Cooper
Mel is founder and operator of Sustainable Education Australia Pty Ltd and has been the principle facilitator/speaker since the company’s conception 9 years ago. Melissa is a workshop leader and has been facilitating workshops for Councils throughout NSW successfully. She has seen the demand from not only the public but also the respective councils to implement an interactive workshop to help reduce household waste and provide education to families wanting to create a more sustainable future. Melissa is also the Author of the Best Selling Book “Keeping Backyard Chickens”, and the Creator of the Sustainable Living Certificate Course and The Sustainable Living Magazine which are both Nationwide.
Sandra Wilson
Sandra Wilson is a Horticulturist, Permaculturist and avid environment advocate. She has been working in the industry since 1983 and has been focusing on sustainable principles in design.
Her qualifications are Certificate IV in Horticulture & Associate Diploma in Landscaping at Ryde School Of Horticulture, Certificate in Permaculture Design with other Training and Management qualifications.
She has kept current in industry methods by attending Nursery Industry conferences, reputable magazines and volunteers on an organic Permaculture market garden.
Sandra has developed her own successful Garden maintenance business, managed a retail nursery for 15 years, and has continually done garden consultations and designs through her working life.
Sandra lives and works on the Central Coast of New South Wales and is one of Sustainable Educations primary trainers. Her expertise and humour are enjoyed by all of the students and it is because of the no nonsense approach to training, where she shares her knowledge and love of sustainability in an easy to understand format that win her over with everyone.
Sandra, runs the Monday night Facebook Q&A for students, shares her wisdom on podcasts and live tele-classes. She is an asset to our students and continues to give insights into every aspect of living sustainably and creating an abundant backyard.
Kerrie Anderson
Kerrie has a longstanding interest in sustainability. With a background in health, her focus is now on living in tune with nature, eating an organic diet and growing her own produce. Kerrie is a Permaculture and Sustainability Trainer and is passionate about influencing others to make informed choices for a more sustainable future. She is a founding member of Permaculture Central Coast and an active member and volunteer of FIG (Food Integrity Group) Food Co-op. Kerrie currently works as a TAFE Teacher delivering courses on permaculture and sustainability. She has been successfully facilitating workshops throughout the community on sustainability and her knowledge and passion is evident in her presentations.
Gabe Streater
As a chef Gabe fell in love with the way that food and eating brings people together.
Food is the great deal maker, or breaker as the case may be.
When people are brought together to discuss, meet, negotiate or celebrate, food is always on the table laid out between us.
We share it, “break bread” as the saying goes, pass it to each other, discussing its quality and the magic that was used to create it. It makes us smile at the same time, or gasp with surprise.
It creates joy, soothes an argument and brings us together face-to-face.
Food is locked into our memory banks, as our taste buds are some of the most impressionable senses that we develop from babyhood.
Whether one is the gracious host of an impressive banquet, or simply the creator of a delicious cake, we are impressed by the power of food. It’s every bit as intoxicating to our tummies as any bottle of wine to our brains.”
Gabe was born and raised on the Central Coast of New South Wales, she had been working in the Hospitality industry for 40 years (yes you read it right). Gabe started working from the young age of 14 years and worked her way through the ranks to be a chef Nationally and Overseas. She worked at Liquidity Restaurant during the 2000 Olympic Games as well as with The Truffle Group which were contracted to elite athletes and sponsors, VIPS for the games and AFIA 2000 VIP Chef. Gabe has graced the pages of Vogue Magazine for their Annual 2011 Wedding Cake edition and has been head chef in several restaurants. Throughout her successful career has maintained her authenticity and her genuine love of cooking which was taught to her by her Grandmother, who was also a well known and loved cook back in her day, which lead Gabe to own her own restaurant in the late 90’s and several thriving catering companies. She is passionate about food integrity and sustainable land management including the care of all living things a mum of 3 awesome kids and a grandma herself to one outstandingly spectacular grandlittlelady.
Gabe brings her brilliance to Sustainable Education and shares her cooking insights with anyone who wants to learn traditional methods that were handed down to her by family. The wealth of knowledge she has and her witty flare she gives to course participants is sure to have anyone dancing around the kitchen feeling more confident in their culinary journey.