Introducing Our Team at the Eco House and Garden
Rachel Kernaghan – Ecological Education Manager
Rachel leads Kimbriki’s Eco House & Garden Team in the role of Ecological Education Manager.
For the past eleven years Rachel has been actively delivering Kimbriki’s Eco Workshops and Schools Programs to schools and the local community, and contributing to the design and growth of Kimbriki’s thriving onsite permaculture eco garden.
Rachel holds a Double Degree in Education and Geography and is an NSW DET Accredited Teacher. She has completed her Introduction to Permaculture, Master Class in Permaculture and Permaculture Living course training.
Rachel is passionate about sharing her wealth of knowledge to all, and has 25 years’ experience in developing and delivering education to primary and high school students. Specifically, Rachel has been instrumental in rolling out Kitchen Garden Schools Programs, Field Studies and Engagement & Action Programs to Not-for-Profit organisations and Community Gardens.
When Rachel’s not working in the Eco House and Garden, she is busy exploring and supporting many environmentally focused initiatives in our local community and enjoying time in nature.
Rachel is excited to continue providing fun and informative programs educating schools and our local community on all things ecological!
Peter Rutherford – Senior Ecologist & Educator
Peter Rutherford has been the Senior Ecologist & Educator at Kimbriki’s Eco House and Garden for the past 25 years. Peter is a Social Ecologist, Horticulturist and Educator with an extensive knowledge of soils and microbes and the sciences of composting and worm farming.
With an infectious passion for sustainable living, Peter inspires both adults and children to live more sustainably. He holds a Diploma of Education, Majoring in Senior Science and Agriculture, a Masters Degree in Social Ecology and a Certificate in Permaculture Design.
Peter has taught in schools, co-designed and presented the EPA Earthworks and the Waste Board’s Healthy Gardens courses and has authored many articles, books and videos. Peter has been both guest and presenter on ABC’s popular Gardening Australia as well as appearing on various gardening and lifestyle television programs promoting the benefits of composting and worm farming.
Peter is especially passionate about continuing to share his extensive knowledge and experience in all things ecological to the wider community through specialist workshops and training programs.
Paul Cannings – Ecologist & Educator
Paul joined Kimbriki’s Eco House & Garden team in 2022 and bought with him a wealth of knowledge and experience that he is eager to continue sharing with our schools and local community. Paul holds a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biodiversity and Conservation, a Bachelor of Teaching (secondary), is a NSW DET Accredited Teacher and an Accredited Teacher of Permaculture Design Certificate from Milkwood Permaculture. He has 20 years of experience working in environmental education for both Primary and High School, and 10 years’ experience in designing permaculture gardens for schools, private and community gardens.
Paul believes strongly in the importance of educating the community on all things ecological, and has been actively involved in developing and delivering permaculture and sustainable living eco workshops to the Northern Beaches community for Permaculture Northern Beaches and also the Coastal Education Centre.
Paul is as passionate about fauna as he is flora, and has 20 years of experience volunteering with Wildlife Rescue for Sydney the Metropolitan Wildlife Service, and six years’ experience providing Honey Bee Swarm Rescue and rehoming for Northern Beaches Amateur Beekeepers.
Paul is excited to spread his love and knowledge of permaculture and sustainable living practices through Kimbriki’s Eco House & Garden programs and workshops!
Jake Bennett – Ecologist & Educator
Jake joined Kimbriki’s Eco House and Garden in 2022.
Jake has completed study in the field of permaculture and permaculture design, and successfully gained his Permaculture Teacher Trainers Certificate in 2015. He has worked and volunteered for the past 10 years in the fields of permaculture and gardening, and is also currently working at The Beach School alongside staff, students and community group, Bushlink, to create and foster a thriving permaculture environment complete with food forests, compost, aquaculture and animal habitats.
Jake is an enthusiastic participant in sustainable living practices, he is a keen food forest gardener and compost and worm farmer. At home he regularly tends to his own garden in collaboration with the local brush turkey. Jake’s home reflects his love of permaculture with a 23,000L rainwater tank, a two-phase reed bed grey water treatment system, solar hot water, solar power and a waterless composting toilet
Jake is excited to be part of Kimbriki’s Eco House & Garden Team and is looking forward to sharing his knowledge and passion for all things ecological with our schools and local community.
Angie Penn – Ecologist & Educator
Angie joined Kimbriki’s Eco House and Garden in early 2023.
Angie holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) and PhD in Fire Ecology both from UNSW and a Diploma of Education from Macquarie University. She has been working in environmental education in schools since 2017.
Currently working as the Garden teacher at Seaforth Public School, Angie previously was the Garden educator at Manly West Public School and worked as a Science Teacher in Primary and High Schools.
Angie is passionate about science, environmental education and sustainability, teaching gardening, composting and worm farming workshops for many years. Angie is keen to share her extensive knowledge and vibrant energy with others.
Abbey Ryan – Ecologist & Educator
Abbey joined Kimbriki’s Eco House & Garden team in September 2023.
Abbey holds a Bachelor of Marine Biology, majoring in Environmental Protection, at UTS and a Masters of Sustainable Development from Macquarie University.
Abbey has over 8 years’ teaching experience in extracurricular settings and has been involved in education for the environment since 2018. Her previous work for UTS Sustainability centred around waste reduction initiatives within the University, while her role at the Narrabeen Coastal Environment Centre saw her delivering curriculum-based, environmental excursions for school and community groups. She also has previous experience working in waste management and waste education for local government, equipping her with in depth knowledge of domestic bin and recycling systems.
Abbey’s enthusiasm for environment and sustainability education started during her university studies where she volunteered religiously for UTS Sustainability. Her knowledge of permaculture, sustainability and waste reduction began, and has been furthered, by her personal investment in living a sustainable lifestyle, in tune with nature.
Abbey finds it extremely rewarding to share her knowledge and passion for sustainability and the environment with others and is excited to be part of the Kimbriki Eco House and Garden team where she gets to do just that.
