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  Sustainable Neighbourhoods Lake Macquarie
The Alliance Board
The Lake Macquarie Sustainable Neighbourhoods Alliance (the Alliance) is a membership-based association. The Alliance is an incorporated association, registered with the NSW Department of Fair Trading.
​The Alliance Board has the power to represent the interest of Sustainable Neighbourhoods as a whole, and the collective interests of Groups and members across the City.
The Constitution of the Lake Macquarie Sustainable Neighbourhood Alliance (Inc) is available here.
The Alliance Board meets monthly to discuss matters and make decisions to support Sustainable Neighbourhoods in Lake Macquarie. Alliance Board meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month, 6-7.30pm.
Alliance members may attend board meetings as observers, on invitation from the board.
Please email [email protected] if you are interested in attending an upcoming board meeting.
​Alliance Board minutes are available.

Meet your Board Members
Board Members are elected to represent the collective interests of the Lake Macquarie Sustainable Neighbourhood network.
Board Members play an integral role in providing leadership, governance and practical support to Alliance members and Sustainable Neighbourhood groups, and in ensuring that the Alliance fulfils its objectives and takes a strategic approach.
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Gabrielle Clappison
Chairperson, November 2022 to present
​Board Member November 2017 to present


"We are all visitors to this time and place. Let's leave it better for our future generations. Mother Earth has taken care of us since the beginning, now I feel it's time to take better care of her. 
We are all connected. Nothing in nature lives for itself. Rivers don't drink their own water. Plants don't eat their own fruit. Flowers don't spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is the rule of nature."
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Jo Lane
Secretary November 2024 to present
​Board member November 2023 to present


I am inspired by sustainability that is delivered by community. 
Initiatives that give purpose to and connect our community, and that care for and protect our wonderful waterways and shared spaces.​
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Jean McGarry
Treasurer September 2011 to present
Board member September 2011 to present


"We need to work to protect our environment now so that our future generation has an environment to live in that is at least as good as we have now."
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Mark Howells
Board Member, November 2019 to June 2023, and November 2024 to present

​"I have lived in Lake Macquarie my entire life and am eager to see our city continue to grow, fostering a more accessible, vibrant, and sustainable community for everyone."
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Bruce Robertson
Board Member, November 2022 to present
I have a professional background in business development (commercial and organisations), marketing, management, technology and innovation applications and executive groups on environmental technology development and implementation. I'm committed to sustainability applications research expansion with dedicated teams.
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Mackenzie Robson
Board Member, November 2021 to present
Deputy Chairperson, November 2024 to present
Ingrid Schraner
Assistant Treasurer, November 2024 to present
Board Member, November 2023 to present
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Natalia Soeters
Board Member, November 2023 to present

"Passionate about Sustainable Neighbourhood Groups as an embodiment of the change we need to see in the world. Neighbourhoods where neighbours actually know each other and together find local solutions to local sustainability problems. With great picnics, music and crop swaps."
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Bruce Tozer
Public Officer, November 2022 to present
​Assistant Secretary, November 2024 to present
​Board Member, November 2020 to present


​I'm interested in liaising with Lake Mac Council and others on sustainable projects, particularly parks, walking and cycling tracks and Rathmines Park. I champion all ability fishing platforms and water activity amenities for those with special needs, and want to improve and support their needs.

Thank you also to all of our past board members:
  • Christine Aus - Board member November 2014 to November 2015; and November 2018 to November 2020. Public Officer November 2019 to November 2022
  • Sandy Benson - Board Member, October 2012 to July 2014
  • Robyn Charlton - Chairperson, November 2019-November 2021. Public Officer, September 2011 to October 2012. Board Member, September 2011-October 2013 and November 2015-November 2022.
  • Indra Deamer - Secretary November 2015 to November 2016. Board Member November 2016 to November 2017.
  • Susan Denholm - Board Member, September 2011 to September 2015
  • Steve Dewar - Secretary November 2016 to April 2024. Board member October 2012 to April 2024.
  • Samantha Doove - Board Member, November 2019 to November 2022
  • Michelle Downey - Board Member, September 2011 to July 2012
  • Naomi Finlayson - Board Member, July 2019 to November 2019
  • John Hegarty - Board Member, September to November 2011
  • Amanda Herrald - Board Member, November 2019 to June 2021
  • Stefanie King - Secretary, September 2011 to February 2012
  • Norbert Lica - Secretary April 2012 to November 2015. Board member September 2011 to November 2017.
  • Avril Lockton - Board Member April 2012 to November 2020.
  • Nico Marcar - Chairperson November 2021 to November 2022. Board member November 2019 to September 2023.
  • Colin Mondy - Chairperson November 2017 to August 2019. Public Officer October 2012 to November 2019.  Board member September 2011 to August 2019.
  • Anna Noon - Board Member, November 2021 to July 2022
  • Suzanne Pritchard - Board Member, April to September 2012
  • Dot Seiffert - Chairperson, September 2011 to November 2017. Board member September 2011 to June 2018.
  • Hellen Slott - Board Member, April 2012 to October 2012

Role of the Alliance Board
​The Alliance Board has the power to represent the interest of Sustainable Neighbourhoods as a whole, and the collective interests of Groups and members across the City.
In particular the Board shall:
  • Promote the Sustainable Neighbourhoods Program of the City of Lake Macquarie;
  • Support Sustainable Neighbourhood Groups and members by developing common policies, writing, coordinating and administering funding applications and grant funds, exploring insurance savings and distributing information to member groups;
  • Invite and receive contributions and raise funds where appropriate, to finance the work of the Groups, and operate a bank account to manage such funds; 
  • Work in partnership with the Sustainable Neighbourhood Groups, and groups of a similar nature, promoting cooperative programs and initiatives including sharing of resources;
  • Address and resolve issues affecting members and present a united voice on Sustainable Neighbourhood issues;
  • Represent members by writing submissions on proposed social and legislative reforms that may impact on the Sustainable Neighbourhoods Program;
  • Form committees, task forces, working groups and engagement groups which may be required from time to time (membership on committees shall be open to all Alliance members)
  • Employ staff (who shall not be members of the Board) and volunteers as necessary to conduct activities to meet the objectives; and
  • Take any form of action that is lawful, which is necessary to achieve the objectives of the Alliance.
The members of the Board shall:
  • Be committed to implementing the objects of the Sustainable Neighbourhoods Board;
  • Have an understanding and commitment to the concept of asset based community development; whereby citizens are empowered to take an active part in their community and in public life;
  • Understand the strategic implications and outcomes of initiatives being pursued through Sustainable Neighbourhood Program outputs;
  • Be genuinely supportive of the initiatives, and outcomes, being pursued in the Sustainable Neighbourhoods Program;
  • Be an advocate for the program's outcomes;
  • Have a broad understanding of program management issues and the approach being adopted; and
  • Be committed to, and actively involved in pursuing the program's outcomes.
Whilst it is recognised that individual members may have particular expertise and interests, their position on the Board is as a representative, rather than as an individual expert.

Become a board member
Join us to create a sustainable Lake Macquarie!
Contribute your expertise to grow and support our wonderful network of more than 150 Sustainable Neighbourhood volunteers and 7000 supporters.
We are offering several board member positions to conscientious volunteers who can help increase our impact, visibility, volunteer support and financial sustainability.


Contact us to find out more, or express your interest.
Position vacant:
​Sustainable Neighbourhood Alliance Board Member (volunteer)
Position vacant - Alliance Board Members.pdf
File Size: 276 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Board Members Roles and Responsibilities
Board member roles and responsibilities.pdf
File Size: 1035 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Sustainable Neighbourhoods Lake Macquarie
Our vision - Neighbourhoods that are empowered to live sustainably.
Our mission - Our work is to foster sustainable neighbourhoods and a healthy environment in Lake Macquarie
Our values - We are guided by our values of participation, inclusion, collaboration, empowerment and shared responsibility.
The Lake Macquarie Sustainable Neighbourhood Alliance is registered as a not for profit incorporated association under NSW Fair Trading. Sustainable Neighbourhood activities are managed and governed by volunteers and financed through grants, collaboration and community fundraising.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters on which we live, work and play, the Awabakal People, and acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who now reside in this area. We pay our respect to Elders past and present, and future cultural knowledge holders.
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Sustainable Neighbourhoods is an initiative of Lake Macquarie City Council.
www.lakemac.com.au
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We are proud to be a Very Neighbourly Organisation and supporter of Neighbour Day.
www.neighbourday.org