Judges and Mentors
Quotes from
Judges, Mentors and Teachers
Our Judges
Our awesome panel of judges represent the full spectrum of activists working in diverse sectors – from TEC’s Director Jeff Angel who has been an environment campaigner for 40 years, to model, scientist and Ocean Ambassador Laura Wells. Francis Pascua, the marketing manager at G-Star Raw came on board because he abhors the toxic legacy of fast fashion; artist and international plastic activist Marina DeBris practically invented haute couture Trashion; and fashion designer Camille Reed created the Circular Fashion Conference to promote less wasteful principles in the fashion industry. They are inspirational leaders who believe in the next generation.
Jeff Angel
Director, Total Environment Centre, Boomerang Alliance
Jeff Angel is Director of the Boomerang Alliance of 47 allied groups and Total Environment Centre. He has worked for policy, business and legal changes across a wide spectrum of environmental issues (city and country) for over 40 years including protection of rainforests and wilderness, air quality, urban river regeneration, Sydney’s Green Games, land clearing, endangered species and climate change. He has been prominent in debates about waste and recycling and led the campaign for the introduction of a container deposit system in Australia.
Marina Debris
plastic activist and artist
“In the beginning I would just pick up stacks of Styrofoam cups and bring them to the local 7-11, but I soon realized that this wasn’t really attacking the root problem. I needed a creative way to draw attention to it. The whole idea of making beach detritus into art began in 2009 with the realization that the waste we create always comes back to haunt us.”
Trained as a graphic designer at Rhode Island School of Design, Marina’s interest in the intersection of art and the environment has been a constant. “My first goal is to provoke viewers into thinking about the consequences of our habits, and how we can change them. My second goal is to get rid of all the garbage in my garage! In a responsible way, of course.”
Camille Reed
director of the Circular Fashion Conference
Camille is the founder and owner of The Studio By Mili, focussed on implementing recycled fabrics into her textile design process, and extending the studio’s creative outreach to circular textile education. Through which, Camille has proudly aligned herself in partnership with Australia’s first ever closed-loop textile recycler, with an aim to elevate and innovate Australia’s retail manufacturing industry.
Laura Wells
MODEL, ENVIRONMENTALIST
Laura Wells is an Environmentalist, presenter and one of Australia’s top plus size models. Holding degrees in both Biology and Law, qualifications in Environmental management systems and currently studying a Diploma of Paramedical Science, Laura’s passion for the environment, love for the ocean and interest in climate change has lead her to become a positive role model, advocate and ambassador for change.
Laura’s reach and popularity as an international model, promoting positive body image and shooting for clients worldwide has allowed her to use her social media platform as a tool to promote healthy lifestyle not just physically and mentally, but socially and environmentally as well. Working on environmental campaigns with The Boomerang Alliance, Greenpeace, 1 Million Women, WWF Australia and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), being an active and vocal participant of the Cash for Containers campaign in NSW, a climate reality leader in Al Gore’s, Climate Reality Project, a selected participant in Homeward Bound Project- the largest ever all female expedition to Antarctica (2018) and women in STEMM leadership course and the main subject of a Canadian produced documentary ‘A Perfect 14’ has allowed Laura to extend the voice of environmental campaigns and help to educate those people not normally influenced by such a sphere.
Laura has an active career in presenting and science communication which allows her to pursue her passion and use her skills in the best way possible: educating others on the benefits of living a holistic healthy lifestyle for themselves, the environment and the future.
Our Mentors
These passionate artists spend their working lives raising awareness by transforming waste into resources. They provide encouragement, inspiration and knowledge of sometimes disappearing skills like knitting and crochet to our high school teams, proving that recycling isn’t just great for the imagination, it’s a way we can all help to save the planet.
Pirra Griffiths
Owner & Designer Allerton Swimwear, Co-Founder Swim Co Australia & Lecturer
Nominated WGSN Best Fashion Start Up 2016, Allerton is a Sydney based fashion forward swimwear label with a focus on fit and adjustability. With a sporty yet feminine approach, Designer Pirra Griffiths is passionate about creating impeccably fitting garments that work with the body, creating beautiful lines and celebrating curves.
Launched at Miami Swim Week in 2015, Allerton distributes internationally in major retailers in the UK, USA & NZ. Allerton has featured in Italian Vogue, Russian Elle, Daily Mail UK, GQ Magazine, Daily Telegraph and Cosmopolitan Australia. Seen on Victoria Secret Model Cindy Bruna, Mame Adjei and Bikini A Day creators Tash Oakley and Devin Brugman.
Borrowing its name from her mother’s maiden name, Allerton is a tribute to Pirra’s family as a source inspiration, support and encouragement.
Pirra is regularly engaged in industry events and speaking where she shares her experience in the fashion industry, towards sustainability and business topics.
Angela Van Boxtel
Eco Art & Designer
Angela believes ‘Less is more’ and as such our strategy less waste – less costs eventually pays for it self.
Angela has worked with many local councils, at festivals & events and with schools & businesses.
Angela’s creative ideas are engaging, original and ever evolving. They have captured an international following and lots of media attention over the years.
As an Artist & Designer works closely with environmental groups to stay on top of important issues.
Imogen Ross
DESIGNER, EDUCATOR, UPCYCLER, CREATIVITY CONSULTANT
Imogen has designed a wide range of theatre, public events, commercial interiors, weddings and themed parties in both Australia and the UK for over 25 years.
She has designed many award-winning productions (including shows that have toured both nationally and internationally); most notably with Monkey Baa Theatre, Merrigong, Shopfront, Darlinghurst Theatre Co., Blacktown Arts Centre, CDP and PYT.
Imogen regularly delivers ‘Introduction to Theatre Design and Concept Development’ workshops to high schools,The Arts Unit (DET) and selected tertiary institutions as a specialist Arts tutor, as well as conducting a range of creative craft/puppetry/mask workshops promoting imagination, upcycling and confidence in participants. She also works with young people from refugee, CALD and educationally diverse backgrounds, delivering creative arts workshops within schools and to youth organisations during school holidays.
Her passion is the creative re=use of found objects, using a range of sculptural and collage techniques to re-purpose and re-imagine ‘trash’ to ‘treasure’. In 2016 she was in residency in Deniliquin, working as an art instigator with youth and community to create roving sculptures made from found rubbish, culminating in a giant sculptural installation called Echidna.
Since 2017 she has been giving workshops to communities, demonstrating how to make beeswax wraps from fabric scraps, pure beeswax and locally sourced tree resin, effectively reducing the use of plastic wraps in the kitchen. Her workshops are regularly advertised on Facebook under the name Sticky Business – Beeswax Wraps.
Her popular schools theatre workshops are also found on Facebook under the name The Production Meeting.
