Our staff

Matt Crawley | Executive Officer

Matt is a resident of the Bellarine and has worked in community engagement and environment projects in the Mallee, North Central, Goulburn Broken and Geelong regions for the past 30 years. For the past 20 years, Matt has worked with the Bellarine Catchment Network as Landcare and Coastcare Coordinator and currently the Executive Officer. Matt has a strong interest in the flora and fauna of the Bellarine and assisting local community groups to deliver projects that help to protect and enhance these values. 

Matt is the recipient of the DEECA Our Catchments, Our Communities Award in 2021 and completed the Committee for Geelong, Leaders for Geelong in 2022 and Give Where you Live Loaned Executive Program in 2023.Matt represents BCN on the Barwon Water Environment Advisory Committee, Geelong Ports Community Advisory Committee, Deakin University Environmental Sciences Advisory Board and Bellarine Rail Trail Reference Group.

Mob: 0417 231 853     Email: matt@bcn.org.au

Naomi Wells | Coastal and Biodiversity Program Leader

Naomi manages a variety of engagement and educational programs at Bellarine Catchment Network including volunteer regeneration activities including the Borough Coastcarers and Friends of Murrk Ngubitj Yarram Yaluk, plays a vital role in our schools and summer program and our biodiversity monitoring and mapping. Naomi also manages the organisations communications including website, social media as well as the graphic design of many resources, posters, educational materials and more. Naomi enjoys connecting people to the beauty and wonder of nature.

Mob: 0411 161 705     Email: naomi@bcn.org.au

Daniel Morrison | Biodiversity Field Officer

Daniel is a former 3RAR paratrooper and has a background in conservation and land management. He has worked on various properties for private landholders around the Bellarine as well as on projects with Greening Australia; from plantings in the Otway’s to Ramsar wetland restoration at Limeburner’s lagoon / Hovell’s creek. Daniel is experienced in flora and fauna pest management and bush regeneration as well heavy machinery operations. In his down time Daniel enjoys spending time with his family in the great outdoors hiking, hunting, fishing camping and any outdoor activities.

Mob: 0420 250 357 Email: daniel@bcn.org.au

Brooke McGovern | Community Engagement Officer

Brooke holds a degree in Zoology and has spent the past four years passionately engaged in marine education, conservation projects, and ecotourism in Port Phillip Bay. As the Community Engagement Officer, she is excited to deepen her connection with the community and foster environmental stewardship through hands-on learning experiences. 

When she's not working, Brooke loves exploring the beach, scuba diving, and taking long walks with her dog.

Mob: 0423 140 665  Email: brooke@bcn.org.au

Ash Baldwin | Biodiversity Officer

Ash is a dynamic environmentalist with a BSc and Cert IV CLM. With expertise spanning both marine and terrestrial environments, she drives and facilitates impactful habitat restoration and ecological management projects. Through the Anglesea Heath to Plains Grasslands and urban areas, Ash's diverse background in contracted work and natural resource management with Naturelinks, paired with years of horticultural, agricultural, and landscaping experience, fuels her commitment to the environment. Being previously active in many volunteering roles from estuary monitoring and pest management to fisheries education, Ash is a proactive advocate for species preservation and sustainable environmental change.

Outside of working hours Ash enjoys swimming, gardening, cooking, and nature walks.

Mob: 0422 031 883   Email: ash@bcn.org.au

Sophie Small | Bellarine Landcare Facilitator

Sophie works with private landholders and other groups and land managers on the Bellarine to conserve and enhance the local biodiversity. She provides advice and support to private landholders on natural resource management issues such as pest plant and animals and revegetation. The Landcare Group co-manage an indigenous plant nursery in partnership with Bellarine Secondary College in Drysdale, which supplies tubestock for landholders. Sophie enjoys the synergy of combining forces with passionate and committed people towards achieving positive outcomes for the environment. Sophie has a BA and a Dip CLM, and has worked in revegetation, bush regeneration and land restoration roles over the past 16 years. She likes spending her spare anywhere outdoors - particularly in natural bushland which is weed free! 

Mob: 0457 333 727  Email: sophie@bcn.org.au

Diane Heafield | Administration Officer

As an Administration Officer with Bellarine Catchment Network, Diane enjoys working with people and has supported other organisations in similar roles.

Having experience in working across different industries such as travel, finance and residential building, Diane is excited to work with us and to share her interest in local flora and fauna. 

Living on the Bellarine and raising her family, she is passionate about the beautiful environment we live in and care for. Reading, listening to music, gardening, and travel to see animals in their natural environment are some of Di’s favourite activities.