The Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand relies on the ongoing commitment, dedication and expertise of our many volunteers. To mark National Volunteer Week in Australia, we’ve profiled just some of the people who contribute their time and effort to our work: Elizabeth Stark MEIANZ, Neil Marshman FEIANZ, Nathan Zeman MEIANZ, Vicki-lee Morrison, and Kaleena Fry MEIANZ.

Elizabeth Stark MEIANZ

Elizabeth has been a member of the EIANZ since 2009 and has served on the EIANZ Board as Treasurer since 2017.

How long have you volunteered with the EIANZ and in what capacity?

For years! I volunteered at the Victorian Division level and was lucky enough to be able to represent the EIANZ as a whole as a Board member. This is my third (and last) term as Treasurer and it’s been a great experience.

What motivated you to volunteer your time with the EIANZ?

I’ve always felt ‘at home’ in EIANZ – I love the way it brings together environmental practitioners from all different disciplines and backgrounds. I stuck my toe into volunteering by joining the organising committee for one of the annual conferences – it was in Melbourne that year and I wanted to help make it happen.

What do you find the most rewarding about volunteering?

For myself – I’ve learned a lot from the experience. I’ve developed better skills in management and governance, strategy, event delivery and met lots of interesting people over the years.

I am also deeply committed to environmental practice and supporting professional scientific, environmental voices against the climate and biodiversity disasters that we are now feeling. I’m proud I’ve been able to use my skills to support EIANZ while we increase our profile, advocate for really important things, and deliver first rate events to support our members in the skills they need right now.

What would you say to someone who is considering a volunteer role?

It’s great fun!!

But, have a serious think about how much you care about the thing you are volunteering for, and your own ability to commit time. Have a chat to current volunteers to make sure you don’t commit to too much at first.

Neil Marshman FEIANZ

Neil is an EIANZ Fellow and has been a member of the Institute since 1987. Neil’s roles with the EIANZ include Chair of the Policy and Standards Committee, Chair of the Climate Change Special Interest Section, a member of the Fellow and Honorary Member Review Committee, and a mentor to students and early career professionals.

How long have you volunteered with the EIANZ and in what capacity?

I became a member of the EIANZ when it was first formed. After that I soon changed roles and moved interstate and then lived overseas for a number of assignments. During this time, I retained my membership because I believed in the profession but I wasn’t a very active member. When I finished full time work in 2018, I saw an opportunity to try to put a little back into the profession as it had provided me with a challenging and rewarding career. Since 2018 as the EIANZ has advertised roles that appealed to me I have applied – and unwittingly in 2021 started to Chair a couple of committees.

What motivated you to volunteer your time with the EIANZ?

My motivations to volunteer for the EIANZ are: a belief in the value of the profession and a desire to remain connected to it; the Institute’s strong focus around professionalism and the integrity of the Code of Ethics; and finally, a feeling that I had something from my experience to contribute.

What do you find the most rewarding about volunteering?

The most rewarding aspect of working within the EIANZ is that there is a cohort across the committees, the mentees and Central Office that want to change the world for the good and to be agents of environmental change. Meeting, learning from and working with these people is really exciting.

What would you say to someone who is considering a volunteer role with the EIANZ?

The profession needs your help to realise its full potential, but for your involvement to be mutually rewarding you need to be constructive, engaged and actively follow through on your commitments. The actual time involved doesn’t have to be big, but the ongoing engagement is vital.

Nathan Zeman MEIANZ

Nathan has been a member of the EIANZ since 2016. He is currently President of the South Australian (SA) Division, a member of the EIANZ Policy and Standards Committee and the EIANZ Advisory Council.

How long have you volunteered with the EIANZ and in what capacity?

I’ve been President of the SA Division since 2019. We have a small committee made up of passionate environmental professionals who all enjoy taking time out of their busy working lives to deliver a program of fun and engaging networking and professional development events for our members. Being President means I also get to represent the SA Division on the Advisory Council.

For the past year I’ve been part of the Policy and Standards Committee where I get to contribute to EIANZ policy and position statements and other publications on emerging and important environmental issues.

What motivated you to volunteer your time with the EIANZ?

I enjoy working with a diverse group of environmental practitioners who have a shared interest in driving positive practice in environmental management and contributing to the environmental profession which I’m passionate about.

What do you find the most rewarding about volunteering?

The value volunteering provides to fellow members, especially those who are new to the environmental profession. It can also be fun and leaves you feeling more connected and valued.

What would you say to someone who is considering a volunteer role with the EIANZ?

Yes, volunteer. It’s the best way to get more personally and professionally involved in the organisation. There are lots of opportunities where you can get involved, such as joining your local division committee, Special Interest Section, contributing to event organisation or emerging policy submissions. It’s a great way to build connections and make a positive contribution.

Vicki-lee Morrison

Vicki-lee first joined the EIANZ in 2006 as an Associate member before progressing to Full membership in 2008. After taking a break to raise her family she rejoined the EIANZ in 2019 as a Student member while she completes her Master’s degree. Vicki-lee is currently a committee member with the Western Australian (WA) Division and previous roles have included WA Division Vice President, Students and Early Careers Champion, and National Student and Early Careers Committee member.

How long have you volunteered with the EIANZ and in what capacity?

I have been volunteering with the EIANZ as part of the WA Division Committee since 2008 with a break from 2014-2019 while I was raising my family. 2021/2022 is my ninth year of volunteering.

What motivated you to volunteer your time with the EIANZ?

Initially, I volunteered to meet other environmental professionals across industries after moving to Perth from Melbourne. Then as I got involved in the Student and Early Careers Committee I could see the value of providing opportunities for networking and growth, particularly for lone environmental positions.

I decided to return to volunteering with the EIANZ in 2019 to reconnect with networks, the industry, and key current environmental issues.

What do you find the most rewarding about volunteering?

Firstly, I value the relationships and camaraderie developed with other volunteering committee members over the years.

Secondly, I value being part of a team (WA Division) and organisation (EIANZ) that provides opportunities for connections and discourse on key environmental issues across industries that may otherwise not occur and continues to contribute to the integrity, professionalism, and development of environmental practitioners across Australia and New Zealand.

What would you say to someone who is considering a volunteer role with the EIANZ?

I would say there is so much to be gained from interacting with other practitioners beyond the boundaries of your workplace and specific industry, and that contributing to the EIANZ as a professional association is part of being a well-rounded successful practitioner.

Kaleena Fry MEIANZ

Kaleena has been a member of the EIANZ since 2011 and is currently the South East Queensland (SEQ) Division Secretary.

How long have you volunteered with the EIANZ and in what capacity?

I have been involved with the SEQ Division Committee for about two and a half years. For the last two years, I have held the role of Secretary. Prior to that, I was involved in the EIANZ Mentoring Program.

What motivated you to volunteer your time with the EIANZ?

As an industry professional, it is easy to talk about the things that need improvement, but the only way to actually make this happen is to get in there and do your bit. Change in the environmental field needs action from people in all walks of life, not just those in the environmental professional industry, but we need to be the leaders and set the standard.

What do you find the most rewarding about volunteering?

Turning ideas into actions that make a difference. You also get to meet and work with others who are passionate and extremely knowledgeable.

What would you say to someone who is considering a volunteer role?

You won’t regret it.

EIANZ Membership

EIANZ membership is open to environmental practitioners at all stages of their career – from students to established professionals. As an EIANZ member, you are part of a supportive, professional community contributing to the development and implementation of environmental best practice. 

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