
Expert Eco Chats 2024
Brought to you by the Nillumbik Shire Council Practically Green funding
Saturday 25 May 2024 2:00pm-4:05pm
Eltham Community and Reception Centre, 801 Main Rd, Eltham
A huge thank you to our experts and volunteers who gave their time and expertise to help Nillumbik residents transition to a clean energy future in 2024!
Our post-event report will be available to download shortly - check back soon!
We're pleased to announce that Expert Eco Chats will be returning again in 2025! Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter (we won't spam you - we promise!) to be the first to know when bookings open in 2025.
Need help choosing an expert? Send us your question to receive a recommendation: events@cleanenergynillumbik.org.au
Are you stuck wondering what to do next? Can it be done? But how?
We've got you covered with experts who can answer your questions about:
- solar power, batteries, hot water heat pumps;
- increasing thermal comfort and lowering energy bills;
- environmental considerations when renovating or building;
- redesigning your garden, installing water tanks;
- even purchasing an electric vehicle.

Fang Cheah - Studio Fang
STUDIOFANG is a PassiveHouse-certified architecture studio based in Eltham, synthesising artistic & scientific approaches to create culturally-meaningful, high-performing, comfortable buildings.
Fang Cheah believes the exciting future of intelligent building is here and now.

Bryce Gaton - EV Choice
Expert on electric vehicles since 2008 and owner/driver since 2012.
Currently working as EV transition consultant to government, business and the public.
EV electrical safety trainer/supervisor for the University of Melbourne.
Formula SAE race team.

Contributor for The Driven; Renew Economy; and Renew Magazine. evchoice.com.au
Marie Carrel - Planet Architecture
Marie is a highly pragmatic professional who pays special attention to integrating ESD (Environmentally Sustainable Development) with high functionality and stylish aesthetics.
Her vision is to deliver sustainable design and information services widely to accelerate the rate of change towards sustainability.
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Member of the Building Designers Assoc. Vic; registered building professional; B.Architecture (Melbourne Hons)
Simone Schenkel - Passive House Designer
Simone studied architecture in Germany, the home of the PassivHaus movement. She uses the passion, experience and knowledge gained from her upbringing and studies in Germany to create spaces that are affordable, healthy, thermally comfortable, energy efficient and resilient for future generations. She is on a mission to make energy efficient spaces a staple in the Australian landscape, without it costing the earth!

Certified Passive House Designer; Australian Passive House Association
Chris Johnson - EcoMad
Chris is a sustainability consultant and energy efficiency auditor. He specialises in energy efficiency for the built environment including energy audits,
building plan reviews and product supply and/or install for draught sealing, insulation, and hot water systems.
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Dan Milne - Living Systems
Dan supports people to design and evolve their own habitat.
Drawing on ecology and permaculture, Dan comes to this conversation from a whole-systems perspective combining simple, appropriate technology, efficient and passive systems and behavioural approaches.

Dan's family mud brick home was open on The Nillumbik Trail. livingsystems.com.au; garden design, water management
Caroline Burgess - Be Comfy
An Accreditated Scorecard Assessor, Caroline takes the time to assess your home, your personal circumstances and budget to tailor advice to help reduce your energy use and ... be comfy.
Whether you are renting or looking to improve your home forever, upgrading appliances, consider solar panels or renovating, Caroline can help with trusted advice.

Mark Van Haandel - MVH Constructions
MVH Constructions founder Mark van Haandel is passionate about building homes that not only look fantastic but perform equally as well. Mark believes the Passive House standard of building is a solution that provides not only a home that is energy efficient, but also a home that is a healthy environment for its occupants.

All Electric Homes - Trent Jones & Josh Jones
Trent has been working in the electrical industry for over 18 years and now built up a talented team of 35 plumbers, refrigeration mechanics and electricians.
Trent’s core mission is to decarbonise and electrify homes. From advice in planning and costings, project management and execution - there is no item that cannot be electrified.

Josh/Benn - Green Edge Technologies
Green Edge Technolgies design and install solar systems to suit all budgets. With extensive experience designing solutions that improve your home’s energy efficiency, reduce electricity bills, guarantee a return-on-investment and in harmony with the aesthetic of your home.

Find the Best Residential Solar Power Products & Panels Systems (greenedgetech.com.au)
Andrew Rosier - EcoCraft
Specialising in Double Glazing, Draught Sealing, Insulation and home Energy Assessments, Andrew is a registered builder, qualified carpenter and Residential Efficiency Scorecard assessor with a passion for ecologically responsible craftsmanship.
Ecocraft not only assesses your home and reports on priorities, but can install key thermal efficiency measures.
