About us
ACTS is the only independent not-for-profit member-led organisation of its kind in the Australasian region. We exist to engage, empower and exemplify organisations working to tackle complex social, economic and environmental challenges and support meaningful change towards a more sustainable future.
Our history
For more than two decades ACTS has represented a network of passionate people working to tackle complex social, economic and environmental challenges and support meaningful change towards a more sustainable future.
From humble beginnings as an email group in the mid 90s; officially incorporated as a not-for-profit charity in 2006; and transitioning to an Australian Company in 2021; ACTS has earned it’s reputation as Australasia’s most well respected member-led organisation that supports campuses to play a pivotal role in the transformation toward a world that is fair, just and equitable for all.
ACTS has evolved beyond recognition since it was first incorporated. Initially run completely by volunteers and representing just seven foundation members, today ACTS is managed by a small yet dedicated staff team and represents 75% of universities within Australia and New Zealand.
We continue to grow and strengthen our valued network and build a new generation of resources to meet our members’ needs.
Our influence extends globally as we continue to build cross-sector partnerships, collaborate with stakeholders and bring together educators, practitioners and change-makers to create a community for positive engagement, capacity building and impact.
Click through our timeline on the left to see some of our major milestones over the years.
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 AU
Sue Hopkins
Sustainability Manager, University of Melbourne
Vice-President NZ
Andrew Wilks
Director of Sustainability, Victoria University of Wellington
Treasurer
Edward Maher
Manager, Sustainability, Charles Sturt University
Director
Suzanne Davis
Principal Sustainability Officer, University of Queensland
Interim Director
Dr Allen Hill
Head of Department – Humanities
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Director
Dr Usha Iyer-Raniga
Professor, Sustainable Built Environment,
RMIT University
Director
Ruth Oliver
Net Zero Policy and Programs Manager,
Monash University
Director
Corey Peterson
Chief Sustainability Officer, University of Tasmania
Director
Dr Carmen Primo Perez
Sustainability Manager (Strategic Analysis & Reporting), University of Tasmania
Director
Dr Theodoor Richard
Research Fellow, National Chung Hsing University
Director
William Van Ausdal
Principal Sustainability Strategist, Flinders University
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David Burt
Secretary
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Rhiannon Boyd
Chief Executive Officer
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Jessica Taylor
Program Officer
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.
