Our People

Ben has been with Gecko since 2001, starting just in time for the relocation of the office from upstairs to the more expansive downstairs area of Gecko House. During his time with Gecko, Ben has overseen many improvements in our operations and efficiency, as well as coordinating a steady increase in our capacity and resources. Ben completed a Bachelor of Health Science and worked in a number of jobs in the health industry, including a 2 year stint with the Queensland Cancer Council, before his environmental conscience and passion got the better of him. Ben feels lucky to be a born and bred Gold Coaster and enjoys going for a run and a swim at the beach before work, and indulging in a few beers with some live music on the weekends. Email Ben… manager[at]gecko[dot]org[dot]au

Bardhold ‘bean-counter’ Blecken has been Gecko’s Treasurer since 2003. Bardhold is an Australian originating from Germany.

In Germany Bardhold was involved in various environmental campaigns, anti nuclear power station rallies and protests against the nuclear waste disposal site in Gorleben. In Australia Bardhold worked as an Information Technology Manager, System Architect and Project Manager mainly in the financial services industry.

After retirement from professional life Bardhold moved to the Gold Coast and as well as volunteering at Gecko, volunteers his time to the Gold Coast Catchment Association and SEQ Catchments Members Association. He was a member of the Hinze Dam Advisory Committee and is a member of the Hinze Dam Reference Committee.

Bardhold is also Director of our business SEQ Sustainable Eco Enterprises Pty Ltd (trading as Gecko Regen), which is involved in ecological restoration, bush regeneration and weed management. He is also a Director of SEQ Catchments Ltd., the regional body for managing and distributing federal and state funding for Natural Resource Management.

In his spare time Bardhold enjoys going to the gym and working with stained glass.

Lois Levy is one of the founders of Gecko and the founding President. She has served on the Management Committee continuously for the twenty years since Gecko was founded in 1989, as President, Secretary and committee member. She is part of the Grants, GeckoEd, and Campaigns teams and assists with other projects as needed. Lois has a background in Social Work and TAFE teaching in community development hence her passion for getting the message out to the community to care for the environment in a variety of formats. She loves the comradeship, intellectual stimulation, networking, and watching ideas develop and grow, as well as the many achievements that Gecko brings. Email Lois… secretary[at]gecko[dot]org[dot]au

Anna has been involved with Gecko since early 2008 and looks after our events programme. She organizes our main annual events; Green Day Out, Clean Up Australia Day on the Gold Coast and our Annual Environmental Awards Night. She has been a member of Gecko Board since 2009 and is involved in various subcommittees. Anna works in event and cultural management outside of Gecko and shares Gecko’s passion for empowering the community to make a difference – environmentally as well as otherwise! Email Anna events[at]gecko[dot]org[dot]au

Sam is passionate about conservation and has been Chair of Qld Conservation Council; Manager for Landcare Qld; Landcare Facilitator for the Qld Government; and Community Liaison Coordinator for Greening Australia Qld.

In 2001, Sam was recognised with Queensland’s Young Australian of the Year Award for the Environment. She now manages her own company, Wombat Creative, and a small team of consultants who specialise in helping communities achieve sustainability goals. Sam went to primary school, high school and university on the Gold Coast and is passionate about its landscapes, its precious coastal zones and its people. She’s excited about supporting Gecko as a new Board member.

In her spare time, Sam is a volunteer surf life saver and loves open water swimming, live music and reading, and is partial to the odd dram of whisky. Email Sam sam[at]wombatcreative[dot]com[dot]au

Michelle started at Gecko in September 2010 in a part-time role as our Administration Officer. Working with the management team and volunteers to help with the smooth running of the office, as well as sitting on the front reception desk meeting and greeting our visitors and members alike, Michelle is enjoying getting to know everyone and being part of everything Gecko does to help the local and surrounding environment. Email Michelle office[at]gecko[dot]org[dot]au

Lynne joined Gecko as a volunteer in September 2010. Lynne is currently our Building Services Coordinator and is assisting Gecko Educators with program design and delivery.

Lynne finds both roles interesting and rewarding. Her background is in the field of entertainment and in 2000 developed and ran an environmental program for children 5 to 10 years. She has always enjoyed engaging her creative side and is currently developing a children’s book and original music CD.

Lynne is currently involved with the painting and restoration of the mural at Gecko House. Email Lynne info[at]gecko[dot]org[dot]au

Snow is our dedicated volunteer Grounds Keeper responsible for all the lovely new plants and grooming of our gardens surrounding Gecko House. He is also responsible for successfully setting up a compost worm farm, which is providing us with lots of juicy fertilizer.

Snow began his working life when he left college at the young age of 15 to become a Baker in his family business. At 45 his family sold the bakery and changed to a Motor Company, where Snow found he enjoyed selling cars and became successfully self-employed; enabling him to retire at the age of 56 and do all the other things he loves doing, like playing tennis and gardening.

Snow enjoys hard work and doesn’t like having spare time – his motto in life is something he learnt from a young age and that is to “Do your very best in the shortest time possible” – quite clearly, as on top of his dedicated and quality volunteer work for Gecko, he is also the Assistant Gardener for Ozcare Respite Centre, Burleigh Heads, tutors students in English at Miami High School, as well as recently winning Runner Up in the 2011 Australian Seniors Tennis Championship for over 80 men’s doubles held in Newcastle. On top of that he is looking forward to reaching the age of 85 and perhaps be eligible to compete for Australia, in teams with other seniors world wide. Go Snow!

Kent joined Gecko as volunteer late in 2010 and has significant experience is main stream mass media and especially in broadcasting. Over 35 years he has acquired a range of knowledge and skills from engineering to marketing and general management.

Kent has a been a ‘greeny’ most of his life which began when he signed a petition at age 12 to save a red gum forest at North Entrance on the Central Coast of NSW. Kent hates the sound of chain saws and has never understood why humans show such little regard for the natural environment and the miracle that is planet earth. Over time he has been involved in many green projects as time permitted including the Franklin Dam and development corruption in Gosford Council.More recently he formed a group and successfully fought to have high density redevelopment over turned at Robina.

Kent has 4 children and two giant Schnauzers and gets bored easily. He says that joining gecko is a major moment in his life, as he feels the organisation absolutely essential to every Gold Coast resident and the future of the planet. He also does a brilliant Maxwell Smart impression! Email Kent… media[at]gecko[dot]org[dot]au