Australian Renewables Academy
The Australian Renewables Academy (ARA) was established by a group of regional businesses and stakeholders with the philosophy that collaboration drives innovation.
ARA believes the renewable energy sector across Australia can strengthen local and regional communities and the economy through local jobs, embedding skills and creating new opportunities for work.
ARA has established key principles that will guide our activities as regions around Australia transition to renewable energy:
ARA is driven by and responds to the needs of industry>
Partnerships between industry, education and skills providers, governments and our communities are central to success.
Renewable energy projects will be inclusive of all members of our regional communities.
ARA will provide a system of connection, navigation and delivery in renewable energy skills, pathways and local workforce development.
Our Founder - Bernadette O’Connor
Former Executive Director, Management Governance Australia Group
Former CEO, Workforce Plus
It is with profound sadness that we write to advise you of the passing of Bernadette O’Connor, our visionary founder and Executive Director of Management Governance Australia Pty Ltd, CEO of Workforce Plus Inc, Chair of the Australian Renewables Academy and Executive Chair of DEC Housing.
Bernadette dedicated more than 40 years of her life to supporting often very vulnerable Australians and communities through her work in the community services sector. Her career was marked by extraordinary leadership, deep social commitment, a rare capacity to turn policy into good practice in ways that genuinely changed lives and a wicked sense of humour! Through her work and leadership in employment services, education, disability inclusion, governance, housing, and renewable energy workforce development, Bernadette consistently challenged the status quo, always focused on creating more just, responsive and locally informed support systems, particularly for people living and working the regional Australian communities that she loved and lived in, until the last few days of her life.
Leadership Team
Josh Baker
Acting CEO
Josh brings over a decade of leadership experience across the hospitality, youth development, social services, and education sectors. As a former practitioner for family violence services and project manager, Josh’ skills bring a diverse and energetic approach to the MGA group.
Josh holds an Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management; Advanced Diploma of Human Resource Management; Advanced Diploma of Business; Diploma of Vocational Education and Training; Diploma of Hospitality Management, Diploma of Community Services and formal qualifications in Radio Broadcast, Event Management and has completed his Teaching Practicum.
Josh has worked with some of the largest organisations in the social and youth sectors including The Salvation Army, The Orange Door, Scouts Australia and Youth Affairs Council Victoria.
David Moody
Head of Strategic Relationships
David brings over 30 years of leadership experience across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors.
He is a former CEO and Victorian State Manager of National Disability Services, and previously led the Victorian Government’s central agency team that helped shape the NDIS. David has deep expertise in disability policy and the challenges faced by people with disability, their families and supporters.
Starting his career as a lawyer, David has held senior executive roles in the Victorian Public Service, where he led national health and safety reform, strategic WHS policy and legislation, regulatory frameworks, and departmental budget and corporate planning. A registered lobbyist, David is also a Director of Workforce Plus Inc. and provides strategic, business, and governance advisory services to a range of organisations and companies.
Anthony Clucas
Strategy Consultant
PeakBalance is an innovative Coaching practice that specializes in Executive Coaching & Leadership Facilitation throughout Asia, with a special focus on Japan.PeakBalance assists business, expatriates & internationally minded individuals to adjust to and create new environments. We maximize our professional network to assemble a team of excellent Coaches, Strategist, Trainers & Consultants within the Asia Pacific region.PeakBalance was established in Sydney, Australia by Principal Strategist & Expatriate Coach, Anthony Clucas in 2003. Anthony identified the need for a combination of corporate coaching, leadership development & communication skills to be easily accessible for both organizations & individuals.