About ACTS
ACTS is the leading member-led sustainability network for education and campus-based organisations across Australasia.
For 20 years, we have supported institutions to embed sustainability across governance, operations, teaching, research and engagement, strengthening collective capability to respond to complex environmental and social challenges.
About ACTS
ACTS is the leading member-led sustainability network for education and campus-based organisations across Australasia.
For 20 years, we have supported institutions to embed sustainability across governance, operations, teaching, research and engagement, strengthening collective capability to respond to complex environmental and social challenges.
20 Years of Sector Leadership
Since 2006, ACTS has partnered with universities, institutes, polytechnics, TAFEs and schools to accelerate sustainability leadership across the region.
What began as a small practitioner network is now one of the most trusted sustainability communities in Australasia, connecting educators, leaders and change-makers committed to building a just and resilient future.
Today, ACTS represents the majority of universities across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand alongside a growing cross-sector membership.
ACTS – Ahupae in Aotearoa New Zealand
Pronunciation: ah-who-pie
Ahu means to tend, foster, nurture
Pae means vicinity, area, horizon
Together, Ahupae speaks to tending and nurturing a place, with a forward-looking horizon. This meaning aligns closely with ACTS’ mission to strengthen sustainable campuses and communities across the region.
As ACTS continues to grow across Australasia, we are proud to introduce Ahupae as the approved Māori name for ACTS in Aotearoa New Zealand.
This reflects our commitment to respectful partnership, acknowledgement of Te Ao Māori, and the importance of names grounded in place, people and purpose.
Cultural integrity and partnership
We are grateful to senior Māori leaders from Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington, for developing the name Ahupae to ensure cultural accuracy, respect and partnership:
- Professor Rawinia Higgins, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori and Kaitiakitanga
- Associate Professor Meegan Hall, Assistant Vice-Chancellor Mātauranga Māori=
In Aotearoa New Zealand contexts, ACTS is known as: ACTS – Ahupae
Our people
Paramount to the success of ACTS is the time and dedication provided by our voluntary Board of Directors and the core operations and development undertaken by our small staff team.
This passionate group of sustainability-minded professionals and educators has guided the strategic direction of ACTS, supported its initiatives and broadened the standing of ACTS regionally and in an international arena.
President
Lin Stevenson
Senior Manager, Sustainability
RMIT University
Vice-President NZ
Andrew Wilks
Director of Sustainability, Victoria University of Wellington
Treasurer
Edward Maher
Manager, Sustainability, Charles Sturt University
Director
Emma Bombonato
Senior Manager, Sustainability, TAFE NSW
Director
Suzanne Davis
Principal Sustainability Officer, University of Queensland
Director
Clare de Castella
Associate Director, Environmental Sustainability, ANU
Director
Dr Allen Hill
Head of Department – Humanities
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Director
Dr Usha Iyer-Raniga
Professor, Sustainable Built Environment,
RMIT University
Director
Siobhan McCarthy
Sustainability Lead, Strategy and Performance, Murdoch University
Director
Ruth Oliver
Net Zero Policy and Programs Manager,
Monash University
Director
Dr Carmen Primo Perez
Sustainability Manager (Strategic Analysis & Reporting), University of Tasmania
Director
William Van Ausdal
Head of Sustainability, Flinders University
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Sue Hopkins
Secretary
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Rhiannon Boyd
Chief Executive Officer
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Georgie Mew
Business Development Coordinator
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Jessica Taylor
Program Coordinator
Our governance
Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS) Limited is an Australian Public Company Limited by Guarantee. As a not-for-profit member-led organisation, our members make ‘big picture’ decisions, including whether to change our governing constitution (including its purpose), the appointment of directors and decisions about winding up the organisation.
Our partners
ACTS actively seeks relationships with partners that share our vision and can help advance our mission to engage, empower and exemplify all types of campus based organisations to lead on the transformation towards a sustainable future. Our relationships with partners take many forms, including strategic, joint initiatives, sponsorships and more.
