MEET THE TEAM

The WildPlay Co team are experienced and passionate about all things nature and all things play!

COURTNEY SULLIVAN, PHD | FOUNDER

Courtney is a qualified Level 3 Forest School Leader and has a PhD in Exercise Science that has seen her work in elite sport and teach at a tertiary level. Courtney was raised in a small country town and her favourite memories are of family camping trips down the Murray River.

Moving to Bendigo in 2017 with her husband, Courtney has since had two little boys who love nothing more than spending time in the great outdoors.

Courtney is passionate about bringing nature immersion to the Greater Bendigo region and hopes to provide the opportunity for children to develop a lifelong connection with nature while benefiting from the natural curiosity and challenge that wild environments provide.

ROB COOKE | Nature Playworker

  • Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

  • First Aid, CPR & WWCC

    Living on the land her whole life, Rob has exceptional outdoor skills that when combined with her knowledge of child development make her perfect for WildPlay Co. Ever popular with the kids, you will find Rob reading stories, bush cooking in fire season and singing songs to little ears on the hammock.

STEPH HARTMEIER | Nature Playworker

  • Bachelor of Science (Wildlife & Conservation Biology)

  • First Aid, CPR & WWCC

    Steph has spent a lifetime outdoors exploring and rehabilitating our environment. During her studies, she spent weeks at a time in Borneo, the Amazon and Tuvalu (the worlds smallest country) working with organisations addressing land and waste management.

    Since becoming a mum to her little boy Alfie, Steph has been able to reconnect with her inner child and now recognises within herself a need to pass her knowledge of our environment on to foster the natural wonder and curiosity of young minds.

    Steph is currently on maternity leave having her second little bub.

ANG DOLE | Nature Playworker

  • Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

  • First Aid, CPR & WWCC

    Ang stumbled across WildPlay Co when attending a come and try open day with her Grandchildren and we coudn't let her go!

    Having extensive experience in bush kindy in an early childhood setting, WildPlay Co was a natural progression for Ang. With a deep level of respect for First Nations culture, an innate love for the natural world and a thorough understanding of child development; we have hit the jackpot with Ang!

GAYLE JEFFERY | Nature Playworker

  • Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

  • Certificate IV in Disability

  • Certificate III Education Support

  • First Aid, CPR & WWCC

    Gayle was privileged to grow up on a farm surrounded by rolling hills, rivers, trees to climb, creeks to splash in and nature huts to build. Perhaps then, it is no surprise that Gayle was attracted to bush kindy not only as an advocate for learning through play, but to provide a childhood for little ones that resembled her own.

    A lover of eco-art and crafts, you will find Gayle wearing a nature crown, knitting, sewing and weaving with the children.

ALISHA MANLEY | Nature Playworker

  • Cert III Conservation Land Management

  • Cert IV Conservation Ecology Management (current)

  • First Aid, CPR & WWCC

    Alisha started with WildPlay Co as a volunteer but was so dedicated to her work and so knowledgeable that she made herself indispensable! Alisha has a deep passion for our country and the endemic flora and fauna we are so lucky to have. Always popular with the bush kindy kids, you will find Alisha making clay creations or identifying lizards and spiders in our reference books. A true nature lover, we are over the moon to have Alisha join us and pass on her knowledge.

CHELSEA HARGREAVES | Nature Playworker

  • Bachelor of Education (Mathematics & Science)

  • First Aid, CPR & WWCC

    Being a secondary school teacher, Chelsea never imagined she would work with little ones but since having her three (wild!) boys, she understands now more than ever the importance of outdoor play and the freedom to explore.

    Chelsea has always been passionate about the environment and would connect her students to nature through maths and science in any way possible but getting outside the classroom is her new calling.