About BREAZE
“Our mission is advocate, facilitate, and enable the wider Ballarat community to reach zero emissions by 2030.”
How BREAZE Began
BREAZE formed as a result of a groundswell of people meeting after Ballarat's 2006 "Walk Against Warming" rally at Lake Wendouree, when a group of concerned citizens decided there was a need for a community organisation to drive action on climate change. The concept was further promoted at the Environment Pavilion at the 2006 Ballarat Springfest Extravaganza. A public meeting was convened with representatives of the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group, and a local steering committee was established.
The group hosted its first formal meeting at Aquinas University in February 2007 and later that month BREAZE became an incorporated body with an initial 44 signed up members. In its first 3 years, BREAZE arranged bulk purchase and installations of solar hot water and rooftop solar panels for its members, well before commercial suppliers were established in Ballarat.
In partnership with state and local government agencies and other environment groups BREAZE established the Smart Living Centre as a shopfront for the public to access information and assistance on sustainable use of electricity, gas, water, transport and information on local foods and preserving Ballarat’s biodiversity. BREAZE has grown quickly in membership numbers, and in reputation and is now a trusted and authoritative voice for the Ballarat community on all climate change issues.
In 2015 BREAZE Inc. separated from its commercial entity, which became Breaze Energy Solutions and continued to use of the Breaze name via a Trade Market agreement. BREAZE Inc. is a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
Meet the 2025 BREAZE Board Members
President: Peta Guy
Peta is a retired former senior executive with both the Private and Public Sectors, having delivered significant environmental, health system and International Aid reforms on behalf of COAG, World Bank, Federal, State and Local Governments.
Her commitment to a sustainable environment started with a review of the findings of the Club of Rome (Limits to Growth) while at Melbourne University and has continued through to sponsoring one of the first grid connected solar-battery systems in the ACT from 2014 to 2016. Peta is active in several sporting bodies, having held most executive positions in peak bodies for cricket and badminton. She is keen to promote sustainable horticultural practices, especially in urban spaces.
Vice President: Simon Mansell
Simon is relatively new to the Ballarat area and moved for a ‘tree change’, citing interest in local history and architecture.
With a career at Mercedes-Benz and various IT roles across Asia, Simon brings global expertise to his love of EV cars and has a data-driven approach to delivering for the community.
A passionate musician and champion of the arts, he also studied at the Australian Jazz School.
Treasurer: Greg Jakob
A Chartered Accountant by background, Greg has over 30 years experience in business management in both the private and public sectors.
This experience includes management roles in several government sectors including water resource management, economic development, local government and higher education. Now semi-retired, Greg still consults to the higher education sector and volunteers with a number of local social enterprises that focus on sustainable use of resources.
Secretary: Jodie Hogan
Raised on a sheep and cropping farm Jodie experienced water security challenges from an early age. This imbued a strong focus on water conservation throughout her varied work and studies ranging from Biotechnology, Human Resources, Local Government and the Finance Sector. Travelling and working around Australia and Europe as the spouse of a serving Defence member, Jodie has seen a great deal of climate issues and their impacts on local communities. Settling in Buninyong in late 2021 with her family for the wonderful sustainability minded community, Jodie is still undertaking electrification of her home, having replaced gas heating with RC/AC and acquiring her first EV. With a wide range of interests, Jodie has a degree in Biotechnology, and has joined the Board in 2025 having been inspired to taking action in this climate emergency through recent completion of her Diploma of Sustainable Living.
Communications: Grace Darke
Grace is a Breaze board member and the Breaze communications coordinator. Originally from the UK, she brings with her a Bachelor degree with honours in Animal Science, as well as teaching and leadership qualifications and extensive experience in tertiary education (leading, coordinating and facilitating education in veterinary nursing, animal and conservation science), in the further and higher education sectors in both the UK and Australia.
Grace left education and moved into the not-for-profit sector in project management and coordination, as well as campaign management. Her passions are biodiversity and water conservation as well as climate action and social justice & equality.
Member: Sally Missing
With a background in health service management and health promotion, Sally has also spent many years working and volunteering in the not-for-profit sector on boards of management. She has qualifications in nursing, a Bachelor of Arts (Media) and a Masters’ Degree in Health Administration.
Sally made the tree change from Melbourne to Buninyong in 2019 and loves being part of a small community where there are many people that are concerned about the environment. Sally and her husband have gradually retrofitted their house to make it more energy efficient and have transitioned off mains gas. She is passionate about letting the community know the benefits of home electrification.
Member: Campbell Mercer
Campbell Mercer has experienced first-hand the impacts of climate change on the agriculture sector having managed Manna Hill Estate for over 20 years. Manna Hill Estate is a certified organic / biodynamic mixed farm at Mount Egerton that has an olive grove, agroforestry and sheep.
Campbell is passionate about and has extensive knowledge and practical hands-on experience of regenerative agriculture and its ability to help solve the climate crisis. With degrees in Engineering and Business and extensive business experience both nationally and internationally Campbell can see that urgent action is needed to address the climate emergency.
Project Manager: Vany Gunaratnam
Vany joined the Board in early 2022 taking up the role of Project Manager. She has worked as a Sustainability Engineer/Consultant for more than 10 years in both the private sector and local Government. She has Mechanical Engineering and Science degrees and a Masters in Sustainable Energy.
She has excellent technical skills backed by great insight into wider legal, political, socio-economic, environmental, and governance contexts to achieve sustainability outcomes. She also has an extensive network within the sustainability industry.
Get involved with BREAZE
Join us on our journey to help Ballarat (and beyond) reach zero emissions by 2030
