Climate Action Burwood-Canada Bay: About Us

Ken Enderby (President) has degrees in history and economics, and has lived in Canada Bay since 1994. He has been a campaigner for peace, human rights and economic development for over 40 years, working on projects in Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Up until his retirement in 2019, he was head teacher of Career Pathways at Bankstown TAFE, where he taught history, economics and politics for 30 years. Since then, he has focused his attention on climate change and has been president of Climate Action Burwood/Canada Bay since 2021. He is also a mentor with Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project and a facilitator with Climate for Change. You can contact Ken on 0434 265 460, or at ken.enderby@hotmail.com.

Billie Ayling (Secretary) is a retiree living in Croydon. Her former careers were in curriculum and learning materials management in TAFE. Before retraining in adult education, she worked was a social worker in Redfern and in the Burwood/Ashfield/Strathfield area. After retiring, Billie undertook volunteer work, notably as ethics teacher at a local primary school. Through her interest in native plants, Billie became concerned about environmental damage and the dire consequences of climate change. In recent years, she completed units within an Environmental Science Graduate Certificate course, with a focus on plant families and ecology. She hopes to complete that course in the near future.

Rick Eyre (Treasurer) arrived at climate activism via public sector management, co-founding a leading international sports website, editing an environmental magazine, and listening to and talking with people through online social media worldwide for three decades. He is a close follower of climate news and developments in the progtech industry (IT for progressive movements). Rick joined CABCB in February 2020, and was elected to its Committee in 2021. As well as being treasurer, he administers CABCB’s website and various social media platforms.

James Enderby has a bachelor’s degree from Sydney University, and works in the field of medical recruitment. He has travelled widely in Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East, and has had a interest in human rights and economic development since his middle teens. When he was 18, he went on a study trip to the Philippines, where he experienced life in the slums and in a village with no road, electricity or running water. James has also undertaken study trips to North Korea, Israel and the Occupied Territories. In 2014, he visited the Burj al-Barajneh refugee camp in Lebanon, where his family is funding a health project. James joined the committee of CABCB in 2021. He is currently completing a graduate diploma in Psychology.

Kate Egan is a lifelong local of Canada Bay, and a passionate environmental advocate. Her commitment started at an early age, leading to her election as Environmental Prefect in high school. She was awarded the NSW Keep Australia Beautiful Sustainable Cities Young Legends Environmental Award, as well as the City of Canada Bay Environmental Individual Award for Sustainability. Kate is doing a Bachelors degree in Environmental Biology at UTS and working locally in medical administration. She is on the Canada Bay Council Environmental Advisory Committee, and is an active member of the Canada Bay Zero Carbon Community. In her downtime, she loves to spend time with her dog, as well as exploring the ocean, having recently been certified as an open water scuba diver.

Robin Smith is a graduate of Sydney University, with a Bachelor’s degree in Science and a Master’s degree in Education. Before retiring, she was with the NSW Education Department for 33 years as a school counsellor and specialist disabilities consultant. Post retirement, she worked as a casual lecturer and tutor in Special Education at Sydney University. Robin has had a passionate interest in social issues since the 1970s, and a growing concern about climate change drove her to join CABCB in 2022. She currently coordinates CABCB’s Youth Footprint group, which has a focus on educating young people, from school age to young adulthood, on climate issues. One such project is Speaking4thePlanet, which is bringing together local high schools and the Councils in our three LGAs. Robin brings to CABCB her passion for education and her administrative and organisational skills. She has lived in Strathfield for the past 35 years. 

Steven Du came to Australia in 1979, as a refugee from the Vietnam War. He is forever grateful to live in the world’s the most generous, peaceful, innovative and democratic society. Steven joined CABCB in 2022, and became a member of the committee in November of that year. He believes that concerted action is the only way to deal with the worst humanitarian problem facing the world today – the threat of climate change. As a dentist with almost 30 years experience, Steven is one of the few climate activists in Australia who works in the ‘extractive’ industry. Having served as a Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Navy, then working in remote towns in NSW, in public hospitals, and in private practice, he deeply understands the community’s needs, expectations and aspirations, and strives to always “do no harm while making the world a better place”. Throughout the year, Steven volunteers as a dentist for the Australian Dental Association’s ‘Filling the Gap’ program, which works with charities to provide free dental care for vulnerable and disadvantaged people such as asylum seekers, those living with HIV, and victims of crime and domestic violence. Steven is also an active member of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association and the Tesla Owners Club of Australia, both of which promote the adoption of EVs and a sustainable livestyle.