Dr. Cecile van der Burgh
Cécile is a versatile campaigner and educator working for a nature-rich future. For nearly twenty years, she has led a wide range of award-winning advocacy campaigns and collaborative initiatives protecting and celebrating nature across Australia. She is a co-founder of the Kids In Nature Network and Education Programs Manager at the EcoCentre (Melbourne).
Born and raised in The Netherlands, Cécile spent a large part of her childhood playing outside. She is passionate about giving everyone – especially young people – the opportunity to experience and look after special places, both locally and in the wider landscape.
Cécile’s PhD research explores the practice of connectivity conservation in Australia; a collaborative, networked approach to large-scale nature conservation and restoration. She is an alumna of the Centre for Sustainability Leadership (CSL) and Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA).
Emily Barrow
Emily is a Melbourne based mother of 2, and passionate environmental educator. She has been involved with KINN since 2015, helping to coordinate the Nature Play Week calendar and launch events. Emily works with the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, and with her team, develops and facilitates nature-based learning programs which aim to support children and young people to learn in, from and about the natural world. Emily also facilitates a nature and gardening program at Thornbury Primary School. She is passionate about extending the excellent work happening in the space of bush Kinders and nature programs in early childhood settings into primary schools. Through her own deep connection to nature as a child growing up in Tasmania and Far North Queensland, Emily believes that fostering a connection to the natural world for children creates a clear pathway to developing a sense of care and respect for the earth.
Sulochi Walisinghe
Sulochi is a driven and passionate mother, as well as an AILA (Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture) registered landscape architect with over 17 years of experience in designing and delivering kids' spaces and open spaces, both in the private and public sectors. She is committed to fostering meaningful connections between children and nature and is an integral member of several organizations that promote play for all, such as Play Australia and KINN. Since 2010, Sulochi has been involved with the Kids in Nature Network and joined the board in 2021. She also works as a tutor at Melbourne University. Sulochi constantly strives to rethink her design processes, reduce environmental impact, and support people's connection to Country. Her upbringing in the hills of Kandy in Sri Lanka is a driving force behind her passion to connect kids to nature. She strongly believes that a deep connection to nature builds resilience in children and carries over into their adult lives.
Dr Amy Claughton
Amy is a teacher educator with an interest in disability and inclusion. She works as a lecturer and has a passion for play-based learning and outdoor play. Amy is based in Melbourne’s west, and as a mother of two explores many outdoor play spaces with her kids. Amy’s skills lie in curriculum development, research and dissemination and developing materials and resources. She is also interested in further connecting knowledge about trauma-aware approaches and being in nature. Amy has been with KINN since 2021 and is committed to growing knowledge and opportunity for kids to be outside.
Jess van der Werff
Jess is a horticulturist and people manager with over 20 years’ experience working in botanic gardens and local government. Her passion for nature, conservation horticulture and public open space has led to a career leading teams in the maintenance and development of public open space with a focus on high quality horticulture and urban biodiversity. Part of her work portfolio is the management and maintenance of play spaces, both traditional and nature play, and she has a strong interest in ensuring children have the opportunity for unstructured play in the outdoors.
She is also a parent to two (very) active boys and spends a significant amount of time exploring the outdoors in the southeastern suburbs of Melbourne.
She is currently a committee member for BGANZ Victoria, an organiser of the Melbourne Nature Network and the Secretary of the Kids in Nature Network Board since 2022.
Mick Robertson
Mick Robertson is a retired teacher and outdoor educator who has remained active in the field since retiring from his position as Education Coordinator at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Cranbourne in 2017.
As well as being active on the board of Kids in Nature Network Mick is also on the Committee of the Ealy childhood Outdoor Learning Network. He is also active with several other nature based organisations outside the education field. Mick is also a father and grandfather.
Stephen Sweeney
Stephen is an experienced not for profit director with thirty years experience in senior management and governance roles across media, advertising, financial services, government, not for profit and consulting. Stephen's interests include the performing arts, European history and sport
