Who is RAW Energy?
Renewable Albury Wodonga Energy began its journey in 2014 after a meeting in Yackandandah that resulted in the formation of TRY - Totally Renewable Yackandandah. A number of participants from the Albury Wodonga region expressed a desire to initiate community renewable energy projects in the local area. A core group of people has been meeting on a regular basis with good support from local government on both sides of the border.
In November 2015 RAW Energy was supported by Wodonga Council to host the first local community energy forum in Albury-Wodonga. The forum crystallised key mission statements for RAW Energy - to work with the community to foster and support renewable energy projects locally – in whatever way they can be developed.
RAW Energy also determined that the key focus is solar power generation, given that the local region has great solar potential and low wind energy potential. However the group is also interested in energy efficiency projects and supporting increased education in the community about energy efficiency.
On February 9th 2018, Renewable Albury Wodonga Energy became an incorporated association.
RAW Energy founding members Bobbi McKibbin, Jenny Davies and Michelle Wilkinson
Founding Members
Bobbi McKibbin
Bobbi has been in and around the solar/energy efficiency industry for 10 years, including being a partner in a local solar company for 7 years.
Bobbi has a Diploma in Sustainability. Her skills are varied after owning a small business and managing multiple roles. She has facilitated and mentored with many educational programs/events from primary school aged children to retirees.
Bobbi is able to communicate the technical jargon in the industry into language that everyone can understand, relate to, and walk away feeling they know a little more.
Jenny Davies
Jenny is a former science teacher who has lived and worked in the region for over twenty five years. In 1996 she completed a Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management at La Trobe University.
Jenny is a passionate advocate for renewable energy and, in the 1990s, she and her husband lived off the grid (solar not connected to mains power) for several years. She organises meetings for RAW Energy and sends out minutes and updates to around 200 recipients.
Jenny is also an active member of WATCH (Wodonga Albury Towards Climate Health), edits a monthly e-newsletter WATCHWORD and is secretary of NERSA (North East Regional Sustainability Alliance).
Michelle Wilkinson
Michelle has worked as a consultant to Local Government for over 9 years, working on climate change and sustainability projects, including development of the community wide behaviour change program for the launch of the very successful three bin food and organic collection system introduced into 4 local council areas in 2015.
Michelle has undertaken Community Based Social Marketing (CBSM) training and completed post-graduate study in Epidemiology and Public Health (Reading University UK).
Michelle is passionate about local sustainability and renewable energy with the belief that small changes lead to community wide change with lasting benefits.
2020 Office Bearers and Committee Members:
President: Bobbi McKibbin
Vice President: Katrina Passey
Secretary: Michelle Wilkinson
Treasurer: Katharine Sleeman
Committee Members:
Jenny Davies,
Narelle Martin,
Photo: (left to right) Kate Sleeman, Ben McGowan, Narelle Martin, Michelle Wilkinson, Jenny Davies, Bobbi McKibbin
The RAW Energy Inc Vision is:
Locally generated renewable energy meeting community needs
Our current focus is to:
Bring partners together to develop renewable energy projects in Albury Wodonga