Patron and Ambassadors

Experts in science, education, policy, design, conservation, community engagement, and sustainable lighting solutions – supporting dark skies.

Our Board

Our Impact

Fred Watson

Patron
Australia’s
Astronomer-at-Large

Fred Watson is a prominent advocate for dark sky preservation from his efforts with Australia’s First Dark Sky Guidelines. He emphasises the importance of reconnecting with our starry skies through education and responsible lighting practices.

Australasian Dark Sky Alliance - Ambassador - Shantha Rajaratnum

Prof Shantha Wilson Rajarathnam

PhD LLB(Hons) CPsychol AFBPsS FAHMS

Shantha Rajaratnam is Professor of Sleep and Circadian Medicine and Head of the School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University. He is the immediate past Chair of the Sleep Health Foundation, Chair of the Monash Sleep Network, and President of the International Association of Circadian Health Clinics. A Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, he also serves as Establishment Co-Lead for Mentally Healthy Workplaces Australia, a national centre for workplace mental health and wellbeing.

Phil Cowan

Phil leads the implementation of strategic park management programs across Central Australia, managing a team of more than 40 staff over a vast geographic area. With two decades at the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory, he is passionate about engaging communities, fostering stewardship, and achieving joint management outcomes that benefit both traditional owners and the parks estate.

Australasian Dark Sky Alliance - Ambassador - Kate Hofmeister

Dr Kate Hofmeister

Kate Hofmeister leads the Marine Turtle and Koala Conservation Plan at Sunshine Coast Council, overseeing TurtleCare – a citizen science program protecting critically endangered Loggerhead turtles. She manages marine stranding responses and urban wildlife programs, supporting species at the intersection of community and nature. Kate collaborates with research institutions to improve conservation outcomes and is a passionate science communicator. Her past roles include Senior Scientist for the Queensland Turtle Conservation Project and Marine Stranding Coordinator during the 2011 mass stranding event.

Australasian Dark Sky Alliance - Ambassador - Jessica McKelson

Dr Jessica McKelson

Jessica McKelson is the General Manager of Conservation at Phillip Island Nature Parks in Victoria, Australia, where she leads a diverse team of research scientists, park rangers, wildlife professionals, and community impact programs to advance conservation through an evidence-based approach. With over 22 years of global experience, Jessica has made significant contributions to conservation strategy, wildlife welfare, alternative livelihood programs, and natural resource management across a range of ecosystems.

Australasian Dark Sky Alliance - Ambassador - Mariana Mayer Pinto

Dr Marian Mayer Pinto

Mariana Mayer Pinto is a marine ecologist and a Scientia Associate Professor at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science at UNSW. She is also the co-founder of the Living Seawalls, an international award-winning project that aims to mitigate biodiversity loss in our oceans due to marine construction.

Australasian Dark Sky Alliance - Ambassador - Rachel Thomson

Rachel Thompson

Rachel is a Senior Lighting Designer, a Co-host of the Circadia Podcast and the Vice-President for the NSW chapter of the IES. Growing up in rural NSW Rachel has always had a connection to nature and the night sky. Combining her passion for the outdoors with her work as a Lighting Designer Rachel has become a passionate advocate for preserving our beautiful night skies and focusing her work on controlling the obtrusive effects of artificial lighting at night.

Grant Salmond

Grant Salmond has a background in physics and keen interest in astronomy which led him to help develop Australia’s first International Dark Sky Sanctuary with the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum in 2019, and the Gondwana Stars Observatory. As a high school teacher of 15 years he learnt the importance of communicating science, and dark sky preservation, leading to his current role as Education and Astronomy Manager with the Museum.

Ellen Cieraad

Dr Ellen Cieraad is an environmental scientist whose research explores the ecological and social impacts of artificial light at night. Her interdisciplinary work spans biodiversity, and social values.

Jaana Dielenberg

Jaana Dielenberg loves the night experience when camping, walking in the dark and seeing the stars. By day, she works to raise awareness of biodiversity issues and support for solutions as the Biodiversity Council’s Science Communication Director. She has a BA (Geography) and a Master of Environment from the University of Melbourne. Jaana has held senior roles in knowledge brokering, communication, and stakeholder engagement for national biodiversity research programs, as well as roles as an environmental planner and waterway manager.

David Bird

David was among Australia’s pioneering architectural lighting designers. Inspired by John Halliday of Lincolne Scott, he joined the firm 30 years ago and is now widely regarded as the “Godfather of Lighting” within the industry.

Australasian Dark Sky Alliance - Ambassador - Shania Lee Channon

Shania-Lea Channon

Shania is an ecological consultant with a background in both ecology and astrophysics, bringing a unique perspective to environmental management. Passionate about preserving the planet and protecting the night sky, she focuses on sustainable practices that restore ecosystems, reduce light pollution, and create a healthier, more balanced world for future generations.

Quinton Tucker

Quinton holds a Bachelor of Arts in Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies and Human Resource Administration, with a lifelong commitment to social justice. He has extensive experience across public, private, and non-profit sectors, focusing on mining and its impact on Aboriginal communities. As CEO of BYAC Contracting, he leads corporate strategy and bridges commercial operations with the social justice goals of Burnna Yurrul Aboriginal Corporation.