Ellie Gillett’s passion for environmental protection germinated early in life, growing up on a small property outside Newcastle.
“From a young age, my father instilled in me the importance of caring for the land – handpicking weeds, collecting rubbish from the side of the road – because the land takes care of us,” Ellie said. “It opened up an interest in permaculture and sustainable practices, and while I was a teenager I began volunteering for eco-centric groups and soon after became the president of the Hunter Intrepid Landcare group.”
After completing high school, Ellie initially enrolled to study Psychology. “But I soon decided it wasn’t for me, and then found the Bachelor of Sustainability degree at UNE and it covered all my interest areas. By then I had realised that I wanted to work in government (Ellie majored in governance and regulation), on policy and connection with communities that could have far-reaching impact.”
Over the next three years she studied full-time online and worked sometimes three part-time jobs at a time to support herself – at a supermarket, tutoring, and as a science communicator.
“It was a big struggle because it was a full-time workload outside study,” Ellie said. “But I became very disciplined and would dedicate whole days to work through the uni modules. Being able to concentrate for long periods actually prepared me well for work after university.”
Hunter Valley Intrepid Landcare Group
It was initially challenging to land that coveted public service role, but Ellie kept busy supporting the Intrepid Landcare group, Kooragang Wetlands and doing bush regeneration. After graduation she became regional manager for Conservation Volunteers in the Hunter Valley and was eventually accepted into the Queensland Government’s Policy Futures Graduate Program in 2019. Ellie has since rotated through short-term policy roles with the departments of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy; Housing and Public Works; Environment and Science; and Communities.
“I worked in the water space on some contentious topics around the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and water metering, looked at government procurement and climate change initiatives, and then served as a team leader during COVID recovery,” Ellie said. “During the past two years with the Department of Environment and Science, I have contributed to the Reef 2050 Long-term Sustainability Plan and Biodiversity Conservation Strategy.
“My degree really set me up for the public service; it unlocked new ways of thinking and equipped me with important tools to effect change. Beyond my personal passions, I learnt how to have meaningful conversations and, where appropriate, challenge things so you can get your message across and develop solutions based on evidence.”
Ellie said the great range of subjects she completed during her Bachelor of Sustainability degree – from resource economics to peace studies – provided practical, relevant learning that she refers to regularly in her working life.
“No other university or course can offer that, where you are looking at your ecological footprint and given homework on what you might do to impact your community in a positive way,” she said. “It has all been useful in the various policy and legislation, communications and education, and research and analysis roles I have been exposed to.”
Now, the only question is what direction her career will take next. “That’s still to be determined!,” Ellie said. “I feel that my degree and the various roles I’ve experienced in government have given me a solid foundation and the flexibility to see where it takes me. It’s important to me to be proud of the work that I do. I want to leave a bit of a legacy, even if it’s a drop in the ocean. I want to help make change somewhere along the line.”
Watch this space!
