Matt came to the University of Ballarat following secondary studies at Bacchus Marsh. During his studies, Matt undertook volunteer work on postgraduate research programs including native vegetation identification and surveys of Koalas, Platypus, Bats, Antechinus, and Sacred Ibis. In his final year Matt studied part-time while working for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in Horsham. This work involved Farm Forestry assessments, and vegetation condition assessments for salinity monitoring. During this time, Matt also undertook project work with the University's Centre for Environmental Management, undertaking flora and fauna surveys in south-western NSW. Following graduation in 2000 Matt worked as a Wildlife / Education Officer at the Ballarat Wildlife Park where he managed a Koala population and conducted environmental education for schools and community groups. He is now the Environmental Co-ordinator for VicRoads Western Region. His roles include working with engineers to minimise environmental impacts of road construction proposals, managing ecological consultants to produce environmental and archaeological impact reports, promoting environmental awareness to ensure projects are carried out in accordance with environmental legislation, and developing roadside projects involving revegetation, erosion and pest plant and animal control.

"I decided to study Environmental Management at the University of Ballarat after attending an Open Day and discussing the course content with university staff. I was impressed with the range of subjects dealing with native flora and fauna. I also loved the "bush setting" of the University, and the City of Ballarat really appealed to me as a great place to live (and it was!)".

"My favourite thing about the Environmental Management degree was the breadth of subjects we studied, from botany and zoology, to environmental legislation, ethics and philosophy. In my current job, I utilise knowledge from just about every subject I studied at University. Field trips to the Otway Ranges and the University Rangeland Research Station in Western NSW were also great fun and a huge learning experience".

Marion O'Keefe
PhD Student

Marion O'Keefe's love of the environment developed when her family ran small tours to Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks in the Northern Territory. Marion attended high schools in Darwin and Melbourne before coming to Ballarat to study the B.App.Sci. Environmental Management in 1997. After completing this degree Marion spent a year travelling round Australia. She then undertook studies for B.App.Sci. Environmental Management (Honours), undertaking research into the biology and ecology of the endangered plant, Westringia crassifolia. This research, involving fieldwork in the little Desert National Park and glasshouse trials, was carried out through the Parks Victoria Research Partnership agreement with the University of Ballarat. After completing this degree with 1st Class Honours Marion has been involved in research projects with the University's Centre for Environmental Management including a review of alpine woodlands for Environment Australia and a study of roadside vegetation, in conjunction with Golden Plains Shire and the Worldwide Fund for Nature. At the end of 2002 Marion was awarded an Australian Postgraduate Award scholarship to undertake research into the ecology of gypsophilous plants in south-east Australia. This research will combine Marion's interests in soil science and botany;

"I sought to advance my appreciation and knowledge of environmental issues through further study and chose the University of Ballarat to achieve this goal due to the breadth and flexibility of the course. You can study anything from aquatic invertebrates to environmental policy making, although botany and soil science were my favourites."

"The best thing about the course at UB, in addition to the course content, was the expertise, friendliness, encouragement and support shown by the science staff to the students."

I decided to return to university and study environmental science while I was temporarily living in Canada. I have always been interested in science and growing up I had a passion for the natural environment, enhanced by growing up at the edge of a State Forest. I was drawn to the course at Ballarat by the broad range in subjects, and the diversity of roles attainable following completion of the course. I enjoyed the smaller class sizes and friendly interaction with the members of staff. I also greatly enjoyed the field trips which were also diverse, from the moist forest of Cape Otway to the semi arid far west of NSW.

While studying I was student representative during 2nd and 3rd year, this gave me valuable insight into areas such as business management and planning which has been of great benefit in my involvement with community and agency committee meetings. I became a volunteer firefighter with the CFA whilst studying at Ballarat and have continued that commitment despite moving twice for work. For these voluntary commitments I was awarded a Citizenship prize in the Environmental Management Discipline when I graduated from the course.

Since leaving Ballarat I have worked with two Catchment Management Authorities in the role of a project officer. I have seen very different land systems in the South-west of Victoria and in the Mallee.
Previous Position: Water Resources Project Officer - Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority
Whilst working for Glenelg Hopkins CMA I had a strong involvement with developing an application for environmental flows in the Glenelg River downstream from Rocklands reservoir. I was also involved in two groundwater management committees made up with representatives from the community, industry, and government organisations.

Current Position: Natural Resources Project Officer - Mallee Catchment Management Authority
My current position with the Mallee CMA involves providing support to the two Implementation Committees made up of community representatives from across the CMA region. I also manage specific projects in the Land and Water Resource areas, with a focus on hydrogeological studies and groundwater and salinity management projects.

Beth Jones
Statewide Weeds Coordinator, Department of Sustainability and Environment

After completing the Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Management) Beth completed an Honours degree in Environmental Management. Her research studies focused on vegetation associations within primary saline land. During this time she also worked as a consultant in the Ballarat region carrying out botanical and fauna surveys and roadside vegetation assessment in south-western Victoria, and working as a volunteer in the Land for Wildlife program.

After graduating from her honours year, Beth joined the Department of Natural Resources and Environment as a Flora and Fauna Officer, and worked in Bairnsdale, Colac and Geelong before commencing as a Catchment Management Officer in the Pest Plants and Animals program at Geelong. Prior to her appointment to the Weeds Coordinator role, Beth was Leader of the Pest Plants and Animals team in the Colac/Camperdown/Geelong region. She managed a number of regional programs related to priority weeds and pest animals, including the South West Ragwort Program and pest plant and animal extension and enforcement programs related to serrated

tussock, Paterson's curse, gorse, rabbits and exotic pest animals. She completed a secondment to the Catchment and Water Division of the Department of Sustainability and Environment in 2003, during which time she managed the Rabbits and Good Neighbour Program across Victoria.

In May 2003 the Victorian Government announced new four-year programs of $10 million to deal with weeds on private land and $14 million to deal with pests (weeds and animals) on public land. Beth Jones has been appointed to the Statewide Weeds Coordinator role, responsible for coordination, implementation, reporting and monitoring of all components of the Tackling Weeds on Private Land initiative. The program aims to assist land managers to tackle weed problems on private land by providing state-wide and regional coordination, support for local government, community education, targeted incentives, training packages and quality assurance programs, and by supporting community programs. Beth looks forward to working with a range of stakeholders to improve weed management across the State.