About Us
VISION: Collectively preserve and enhance the beautiful surroundings of The Gap, where nature, people, and wildlife thrive together for generations to come.
MISSION: Build a sustainable and resilient community through knowledge sharing for individual and collective actions.
Our key activities:
- Educate the community about various sustainability topics through free bi-monthly community seminars delivered by invited experts
- Provide information, support, and guidance to people in the Gap community who want to lead a more sustainable lifestyle
- Manage three main community projects: The Platypus Project, Community Energy, Sustainability Together
- Elevate and support other local organisations by actively promoting their activities within the community and providing services such as grant sponsorship
- Engage with local schools to help them with their sustainability journey.
The Gap Sustainability Initiative supports the Sustainable Development Goals, and actively contributes to the following SDGs:
Meet our Management Committee:
Craig Ray, President
Craig is a long-time resident of The Gap, where he’s called home for 35 years. He’s raised a family of three children and runs a legal practice right in the heart of the suburb. Beyond his legal work, he serves as the President of Men Sheds, holds the position of Chair for Scouts Queensland, and is a Committee Representative for the Australian Resuscitation Council. Craig has a deep-rooted commitment to enhancing The Gap community, evident in his active involvement with The Gap Sustainability Initiative, which he helped establish as one of the founding members. In his free time, he relishes the great outdoors, often embarking on high mountain climbs and adventurous travels.
Michael Boley, Treasurer
Michael grew up in Maryland USA and attended university in Austin Texas receiving a Masters in Professional Accounting. Michael relocated to New Zealand following university to be with his wife and raise their three daughters. Michael and family relocated to Australia in 2012 spending 8 years in Perth before relocating to Brisbane. Michael is a chartered accountant with 20 years experience working for large organisations in corporate tax and construction and engineering business management roles. Michael retrained and refocussed his professional career on sustainability outcomes after receiving a Masters of Environment from the University of Melbourne in 2021. Michael is a keen sportsperson and enjoys spending time with his family in and amongst the beautiful environment we have in The Gap and surrounding suburbs.
Monika Janda, Secretary
Monika grew up in Vienna Austria, where she worked as a clinical psychologist in the University Hospital, and moved to Australia in 1999 for work reasons. She now works at The University of Queensland in the Faculty of Medicine, and leads a Research Centre of around 100 staff and students to improve health services in Queensland. She and her husband have raised three daughters in The Gap, who are now all adults. Monika feels strongly about the beautiful environment that The Gap offers to all who call it home, and hope to contribute a little to preserve or strengthen it for future generations. Monika likes to use her bicycle to commute to work, and on the weekend enjoy hiking in the Mt Coot-Tha bushland.
Fanny de Busserolles, General Member
Fanny is originally from France and moved to Australia in 2009 to do her PhD in animal biology and neuroscience. She worked as a research scientist for 10 years, mainly at the University of Queensland, and is now the Head of Experience at Conservation Volunteers Australia. She is also a Climate Fresk facilitator. Fanny is passionate about our natural environment and its conservation and is committed to address the sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow. Fanny moved to The Gap in 2017 with her husband where they raise their young daughter. In her spare time Fanny loves to embark in creative projects, especially if any kind of upcycling is involved.
Damien Herlihy, Communications
Damien was born and raised in The Gap. He is both a teacher and learner of languages. He earned his Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from Queensland University of Technology. Since that time, he has held a range of teaching and leadership positions until ten years ago when, together with his partner, he founded a successful English language college in Trat, Thailand. After calling Thailand home for over eight years it was time for a change. He fondly remembered his times playing in the creek areas of The Gap and wanted his young family to have those same experiences. He now loves nothing more than taking his son exploring the creeks and hillsides of The Gap. Damien is in a stage of his life where his priority is to give back to the community and preserve the unique habitat surrounding The Gap.
Our Partners and Sponsors:
The Gap Sustainability Initiative is a 100% volunteer managed and run organisation.
Our activities thrive thanks to the generosity and dedication of our members, friends, partners, and sponsors. Like many community-based organizations, much of this support is non-monetary, consisting of contributions in the form of time and effort. We are always happy to welcome new volunteers!
The Gap Sustainability Initiative is an Australian registered charity and we welcome any financial donations from individuals. We are in the process of applying for a tax-deductible status, so watch this space!
We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to our partners, sponsors, and funding entities.
Our Dedicated Members
Our Speakers