OV Staff and Board
OV Staff
Andrew Knight joined Outdoors Victoria in 2016 with a passion for the outdoors reaching right back to his time in Cubs and Scouts, learning how to live in the bush, snow and on water, while having fun with friends and family. Andrew spent 10 years as an active patrol member of the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club and was Patrol Captain for many of those years.
Andrew has extensive management experience in the automotive, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), and retail sectors working in Australia, the UK and USA. More recently Andrew has done important work in national roles for Not for Profits in the areas of fresh food rescue and community finance.
Kieran Brophy is Projects Lead at Outdoors Victoria, responsible for delivering an array of exciting initiatives to help more Victorians get active outdoors, inclusive of Active in Nature, Discover our Forests, Park IT and Side-by-Side Nature Walks.
He has spent most of his 20-year career as an advocate for child-friendly outdoor communities, delivering national campaigns for Play Australia, such as 1000 Play Streets, leading VicHealth’s Physical Activity Innovation Challenge, and facilitating a range of community-based health and wellbeing programs for the Victorian Department of Health and Australian Sports Commission.
Kieran lives in Maroondah with his family and when not working, loves nothing more than playing outside with his three kids!
To connect with Kieran or to book a chat regarding his projects: kieran.b@outdoorsvictoria.org.au
Andrew has joined Outdoors Victoria in August 2021 as the Outdoor Careers Strategy Coordinator, to produce a report of strategic recommendations to OV and the outdoor sectors on ways to address the staff shortages in the outdoor careers in Victoria. Andrew has had a lifelong love of everything outdoors. He grew up in Scotland, hiking, cycling, and skiing in the mountains and learning life and bush skills with the Scouts, including long summer camps in Scotland and Europe.
He studied Geology and worked in the oil industry, before the need for travel and adventure led him to a career change and thirteen back-to-back winters, managing ski and snowboard schools and training instructors in New Zealand, Scotland, and the US. After completing a Master’s Degree in Tourism Management and working in nature-based tourism in the highlands of Scotland, Andrew moved to Melbourne in 2003, where he has worked in a recreation role in local government and managed large tourist attractions for the National Trust. Most recently Andrew has been delivering programs with the YMCA in Anglesea, where loves nothing better than getting out on a canoe or mountain bike, sharing his love of the outdoors and the excitement of young people.
Andrew’s community involvement includes sitting on the board of Isabel Henderson Kindergarten, a nature-based kindergarten in Fitzroy North, and Vice-President of Environment Education Victoria.
Maddy joins the Outdoors Victoria team as the Operations Officer, where she will focus on Affiliate supporter relationships and coordinating OV’s Professional Development programs. Additionally, she will be supporting the team through administrative responsibilities and contributing to specific projects.
Maddy brings 10years of experience in the Outdoor & Experiential Education sector, having worked both as a freelance outdoor educator and guide and as an Experience Operations Manager at a hardtop camp facility. A La Trobe University graduate, she has a deep understanding of the industry and is passionate about fostering meaningful outdoor experiences. Her diverse experience equips her to effectively manage operations while driving initiatives that enhance the professional growth of educators and outdoor leaders alike.
Her passion for the outdoors extends beyond her work—she enjoys staying active through running, hiking and traveling, having taken students on overseas expeditions & many personal trips globetrotting. When not adventuring, Maddy prioritizes spending quality time with her close-knit group of friends and family.
Luke is our very own advisor on all things Outdoor Education. He also gets a lots of education-related behind the scenes stuff done. Luke is a former teacher and is the current Education advisor for Outdoors Victoria for over 4 years where he works with numerous stakeholders including teaching organisations, Schools, and the Department of Education to encourage outdoor learning across the curriculum.
Furthermore, he is a University Lecturer at Australian Catholic University in Outdoor Education, PE, Health and ICT. Luke is the founder of one of Western Victoria’s first Aerial (drones) & VR imaging companies with clients including Universal Studios Hollywood, Warner Brothers Hollywood and the AFL to name a few.
Luke enjoys playing AFL football for his local team, but has a particular fondness for Skiing, White Water Rafting and Rock Climbing in combination with many other adventure activities.
Our Board
Bernie has worked in the Outdoor Education sector for almost 20 years. His career began professionally as a guide and leader, working across a range of sectors including in schools and with corporate organisations. He has worked both domestically and abroad. Bernie is a qualified teacher, having previously taught VCE Outdoor & Environmental Studies and Physical Education. He is currently the Director of Experiential Education at Firbank Grammar School, a leading Melbourne school in outdoor and environmental education.
Bernie is most passionate about designing and facilitating purposeful and empowering educational programs that build character, address the issues of today and provide optimistic solutions for the future. He believes Outdoor Education allow us to focus on the critical skills and attributes that our students require to thrive in their world and throughout their futures.
Bernie is an active member of Alpine Search and Rescue and Bush Search and Rescue.
Michelle’s professional trajectory spans nearly three decades, encompassing pivotal roles in sales, strategy, data analytics, digital transformation, marketing, product development, operations, and executive leadership across a diverse array of sectors including public, private, startup and not-for-profit organisations.
She currently holds the position of General Manager of Operations for Government & Justice at ReadyTech, a company dedicated to empowering communities through innovative solutions
addressing new and emerging challenges.
In her previous role as Executive General Manager at YMCA Victoria, Michelle managed six Discovery Camps across Victoria. This role highlighted the unique opportuning camping offers in fostering social connections, promoting physical and mental well-being, and encouraging individuals to enhance their self-confidence.
Also, during her tenure at the YMCA, Michelle directed the Action Sports program, a nationwide, youth-led skate initiative designed to bolster the social, mental and physical engagement of local communities through alternative sport and recreational activities. This experience demonstrated the profound impact outdoor activities have on youth development.
Michelle has a deep passion for the outdoors, underpinned by her activity in travel and running.
She is a firm believer that the power of nature and outdoor activity is essential for unwinding and re-energising. Her experience in the camping sector has fuelled her focus on outdoor education, particularly in observing the positive transformation of young people in camp settings.
As a mother of four teenagers, Michelle is particularly aware of the challenges posed by the younger generation’s increasing dependence on digital devices, social media, and technology.
She advocates for a societal shift towards integrating outdoor activities into the lives of young people, promoting a healthier lifestyle choice and fostering a deeper connection with the natural world.
Her commitment to this cause, combined with her vast professional background, makes her an invaluable asset to the Outdoors Victoria Board.
Sandy brings to the board a range of experience and expertise from across the Outdoor Education sector. She has worked as a freelancer, in corporate outdoor training, as a PE teacher and as an Outdoor Education Director in schools before moving into the tertiary sector where she has spent the past 3 decades developing and implementing Outdoor Education courses for Deakin University and Australian Catholic University. Sandy brings to the board a range of experience and expertise from across the Outdoor Education sector.
As part of this process of curriculum and program development she has had the opportunity to work alongside multiple outdoor activity providers and outdoor pursuits associations in a wide range of natural environments. She has published in a range of areas including wages and conditions in the outdoor profession, outdoor education program outcomes, risk management, bush adventure therapy, leadership programs in developing nations and gender equity in outdoor and environmental education. Sandy has played an active role with the Victorian Outdoor Education Association (VOEA) the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) and Bushwalking Mountain Craft Training Advisory Board (BMTAB), in a variety of roles across many years. She is presently the National Coordinator for the Outdoor Leadership and Outdoor Education units across the multiple campuses of Australian Catholic University. She has been awarded an Australian Learning and Teaching Council citation, for outstanding contribution to student learning. Sandy believes that every person should have the opportunity to experience the joy and wellbeing that time in the outdoors can bring and the power these experiences can have for the ongoing protection and care of our natural environments and hopes that her role on the OV board will enable the support of initiatives and endeavours in all things “outdoors”.
Dr. David Marsden brings over three decades of dedicated expertise to the outdoor education and outdoor recreation sectors, tracing his roots back to early adventures in South Eastern Australia’s wilderness. These foundational experiences sparked a profound passion that has guided a rewarding career in the outdoors—including field and classroom outdoor educator, Head of outdoor education in schools, academic, adventure activity incident investigation consultant, and currently executive leader with OREAS consultancy.
As the former Executive Director at The Outdoor Education Group, Dave’s leadership was instrumental in introducing 35,000 young Australians to the wonders of the natural world each year. His vision was to instil a profound appreciation for environmental stewardship through transformative outdoor experiences, a testament to his commitment and expertise.
Dave has also made significant contributions to academic research in outdoor education, developing educational frameworks that have become essential for outdoor leadership training. His doctoral research, which proposed new methodologies for enhancing the skills of non-school-based pre-service outdoor educators, has been influential in shaping practice within organisations.
Dave is a proactive advocate for outdoor education safety. He currently serves as a board member of the National Centre for Outdoor Risk and Readiness advisory group and is a partner on the UPLOADS project. His commitment extends internationally; he works closely with global organisations involved in outdoor education, recreation, and adventure sports.
During the nationalisation of the Adventure Activities Standards, Dave chaired the bushwalking and camping working groups. He also co-founded two pioneering higher education courses in outdoor education. His leadership in these initiatives underscores his belief that time in nature is as a powerful tool for personal and community development.
Dave is driven by a conviction that outdoor education offers unmatched opportunities to forge meaningful human connections and promote sustainable interactions with our environment. He champions these ideals, striving to empower individuals through the life-changing benefits of outdoor learning.
Title of Dr Dave Marsden’s Thesis: Knowledge, Skills, and Practical Experience Required for Higher Education Outdoor Education Graduates
Soren Luckins is an accomplished design industry leader with over two decades of experience shaping human-centred strategies across Australia and internationally.
As the Founding Director of Büro North, he has pioneered user experience, wayfinding, and placemaking methodologies now embedded in many of Australia’s most iconic public destinations—from Melbourne Olympic Park and Melbourne Arts Precinct to major airports, convention centres, cultural institutions and civic precincts.
With a multi-disciplinary design background and early industry experience in Germany, Soren developed a deep passion for creative collaboration and systems thinking, leading him to establish Büro North. Today, the studio operates across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane delivering projects throughout Australia, New Zealand, South-East Asia, the United Kingdom and the UAE.
Soren brings particular expertise in tourism, cultural events, and the public-domain—pairing strategic insight with the ability to unite diverse stakeholders around shared outcomes. His work strengthens regional identity, enhances visitor experience, and supports economic growth through design-led thinking.
Soren is passionate about contributing this experience to Outdoors Victoria—supporting stronger community connection, active lifestyles, and the long-term sustainability of outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism across the state.
Josh is a lecturer in the School of Education at Federation University; his teaching interests include outdoor education and science curriculum studies. Josh’s research focuses on different models of teaching and learning in middle years education (Year 9 programs). Josh has worked in several P-12 school contexts across Government, Independent and Catholic sectors. Josh has been actively involved in OV for several years, including a time on staff. He was the previous vice-president of Environment Education Victoria and has a strong working relationship with ACHPER Victoria, including receiving an ACHPER Honour award in 2020.
As CEO and Co-Chair of Outward Bound Australia, Loren returned to outdoor education in 2020 to lead Outward Bound through change and innovation. This capstones 30 years in education, including executive roles in universities and consulting. Loren knows outdoor education well, having worked as a Group Leader in her early career with Outward Bound, and from working with OEG and Sport and Recreation Victoria. Passionate about the future of outdoor education, Loren is the founder the collaborative initiative to establish a National Centre for Outdoor Risk and Readiness (NatCORR) – to mitigate climate change impacts for outdoor practitioners in Australia. Loren has a Doctorate of Education, MBA, Grad Dip of Education, BSc, CPA and AICD.
Alice had dedicated her career to nature – protecting it, restoring it, and bringing businesses back into connection and alignment with it. She believes in empathetic leadership and creating active hope for our future through local and tangible work. Having started her career at a consultant in environmental science and sustainability strategy, Alice then moved to managing sustainability and corporate strategy at Yarra Valley Water, where she has shaped its 2030 Strategy and led a focus on biodiversity and nature. She has also previously been a Board Member for the United Nations Association of Australia (Victoria), including being its inaugural co-Chair of its Young Professionals arm. She has completed the Mastery of Business and Empathy with Small Giants Academy, and holds a Master of Environment and Sustainability from Monash University.
I am a Larrakia person from Darwin (with Scottish heritage) who has worked as a Zookeeper and Park Ranger in the Northern Territory for many years, as well as in Victoria, specialising in Crocodilians and both Venomous and non-Venomous Reptiles. Although studying I continue to engage with schools on various OE programs as an Outdoor Educator in both the Northern Territory and Victoria, having studied a Bachelor of Outdoor Education (Educational Nature Tourism) at La Trobe University, and a Bachelor of Arts (Humanities)
(Honours) at Federation University. I am currently undertaking my Doctor of Philosophy at LaTrobe University exploring How centring First Nations storytelling around Estuarine Crocodiles can improve education regarding more-than-human relationships. During my candidature I work within the School of Education (at LTU) running tutorials for Indigenous Education and assist Federation University on some of their OE programs.
When not found at my desk, I enjoy playing cricket, soccer, touch football and golf. I volunteer as a Firefighter for the CFA and am a member of Oscar 1 Mine Rescue (CFA also). But most of all I enjoy spending time at home with my friends and family, and of course my Kelpie (Luna) and Murray-Darling Carpet Python (Sheldon).
