DOMINIQUE CHANOVRE BBus

Email: dominique.chanovre@gmail.com

Phone: 0407 219 291

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-chanovre-1a0398

 

PERSONAL SUMMARY

I am an environmentalist with a deep passion for the outdoors and a strong commitment to protecting and restoring natural landscapes while fostering sustainable practices. Having spent years immersed in nature and sustainable agriculture, both professionally and as a volunteer, I have developed a profound appreciation for the beauty and ecological significance of our diverse ecosystems. My background spans environmental conservation, community engagement, sustainable design, and emergency response, equipping me with the practical skills and knowledge to inspire and support farmers, landholders, and community members in managing and enhancing their landscapes.

From leading forest tours that educate about ecology to designing fire-resilient and waterwise landscapes, conducting flora and fauna assessments, and supporting wildfire response efforts, I thrive in dynamic environments that require adaptability, teamwork, and resilience. My experiences as a campaigner, bushfire brigade volunteer, permaculture designer, and sustainable agriculture advocate reflect my dedication to preserving the natural world while empowering others to engage in conservation and land management practices that benefit both people and ecosystems.

I am passionate about fostering connections between communities and their landscapes, supporting landholders to adopt sustainable practices, and advocating for environmental stewardship. I am eager to contribute to meaningful projects that enhance the health of rural and agricultural environments, ensuring that future generations inherit resilient ecosystems and thriving communities.

I aim to encourage and help people achieve what they want to achieve, often helping people start projects in the community to benefit themselves and those around them.

EDUCATION

2023 - 2024: Partial Completion: 4.0 GPA: Masters of Disasters, Design and Development – RMIT

2017: Certificate 4 in Visual Arts – North Metropolitan Tafe

2011: Certificate 3 in Permaculture – Riverina Institute TAFE.

2009: Bachelor of Business Management – Edith Cowan University.

 

CERTIFICATES

• Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) - 2009

• Forest Garden Design Course – Milkwood Permaculture. 2015

• Australian Master Treegrowers Certification – Rowan Reid. - 2025

• Fire Fighter Level 1.

• Bushfire Characteristics and behaviour – Janndakot VBFB

• Bushfire fundamentals - Janndakot VBFB

• Driver’s license – C class Manual and motorcycle (R-E)

• Construction Industry White Card.

• National Police Clearance.

• Operate and Maintain Chainsaws skill set – South Metropolitan Tafe

 

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

2025 – Current: Girls’ Friendly Society, Perth - Anglican Church

• Site Analysis, Permaculture Report and Design for Cafe/Church/Agricultural Site in West Swan

• GIS Mapping and Site Analysis.

• Soil Survey

• Flora survey and Mapping

 

2022 – Current: Researcher & Adviser, Climate Justice Union

• Disaster Risk Reduction Researcher and Risk Analysis

• ECU Climate Justice Toolkit - Committee Member. www.climatejusticetoolkit.org.au

• Microsoft Office Suite and Obsidian (Note taking software).

 

2022 – 2024: WaterWise consultant and FireWise Project Officer, The Forever Project

• Water Corporation customer consultant educating and advising water use and security in the home and garden, and Waterwise consultant.

• Building and maintaining relationships with local governments, Water Corporation, and Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

• Securing contracts for build fire resilient landscaped sites around key infrastructure with local government and other key organisations and stakeholders.

• Site surveys for landscaping using native plants.

• Creation of landscape plans.

• Workshop presenter: FireWise Workshops, Community Engagement events, Sustainable Gardening and Agricultural Principals Workshops.

• Landscaper: water wise gardens, pop up demonstration sites for public events, FireWise landscaped sites.

• Development and maintenance of processes and documentation to ensure efficient and effective workflows.

• Writing and submission of large successful grant and funding applications.

• Following workplace health and safety procedures and active engagement in continual improvement of workplace safety on the worksite.

 

2015 – 2021 Campaigner, WA Forest Alliance

• Community engagement including presentations, public speaking, community engagement stalls, and forest tours.

• Fauna camera installation, collection, and photo identification.

• Flora assessments including quadrat installation and transect surveys

• Documenting forest health

• Forest tour guide and education on forest ecology and forestry practices.

• Research of forestry policy, agroforestry industry guidelines and the FMP (Forest Management Plan).

• Successful Grant Writing

 

2013 – 2016 Business owner, Garden Revolution

• Landscaping and Gardening with a focus on edible and native gardens.

• Sustainable landscape design.

• Site preparation

• Business administration including budgeting and acquittal, invoicing, accounting, tenders, and taxation.

• Permaculture consultant and teacher.

• Workshop presenter for local councils and community groups.

• Subcontractor for other sustainability companies, as events staff, horticultural consultant and specialist presenter.

• Marketing including social media, leaflet and flyer design using Canva and Digital Imaging Editing Software (Photoshop, GIMP).

• Composting, and soil improvement

• Tool maintenance

• Adherence to native planting and edible gardening planting protocols.

• Site manager and contractor co-ordinator

 

2010-2013 Assistant Farm Manager and Gardens Supervisor, Perth City Farm

• Volunteer Co-ordination of up to 20 people.

• Work For the Dole Supervisor

• Gardener

• Project Manager

• Animal Care.

• Successful grant writing.

• Teaching permaculture, horticulture and sustainability principles.

• Social welfare work including mental health support and conflict resolution.

• Administration.

• Urban Orchard, Wetlands and Planting Supervisor.

• General farm supervisor

• Board member

​

2009 – 2010 and 2014 Contractor, Matthew Rawlinson Handyman Services

• Liaising with farmers and contractors.

• House painting and property maintenance

• Farm work including fencing construction and maintenance.

• Gardening.

• Animal management (pasture raised chickens and sheep)

• Construction

• Small machine use and maintenance including small engine maintenance (chainsaw, bobcat, and tractors).

 

2008 Flora & Fauna Assistant Re-locator, Allison Dixon

• Plant Identification

• Tracking and trapping native wildlife in the Peel region.

• Native Wildlife release.

​

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

2025 - Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council Conference and Exhibition – Plenary attendee

2025 - Regenerative Food Systems Conference – Volunteer and attendee

2013 – Current: Introduction to Permaculture Workshop Presenter - Permaculture West, Garden Revolution

2023 - 2025: Jandakot Volunteer Bushfire Brigade: Volunteer firefighter. Fire characteristics assessment, fleet maintenance, fire risk analysis, survey of evacuation and logistics in emergency scenario, trainee secondary fire brigade responder.

2023 - 2025: Convener: Permaculture Association of Western Australia. Re-assessed efficiencies of the organisation, improved financial position and member engagement.

2024 - 2025: Buffalo Community Kitchen – Fremantle Buffalo Club, Co-founder to engage youth and people in need with a local free meal and health support at the Buffalo Club. Engaging community members, grant writing, and promotion to youth, homeless, and the broader community.

2023 – 2024: Randwick Stables Community Garden – re-igniting the community garden and neighbourhood BBQ with friends to develop the Randwick Stables Community Garden. – Volunteer gardener and finance committee member. Roles include grant research and local government liaison.

2023 - current: Community Wildlife Corridor, Urban re-vegetation and reforestation in co-ordination with community and local government – Volunteer, Hamilton Hill.

2022 – 2023: Hamilton Hill Community Garden, a new neighbourhood market garden implemented in Hamilton Hill for the community – Founder

2022 – 2023: Hamilton Hill Community Group (Residents association) – engagement with local community groups and urban projects, including revegetation and urban cultural and art project support as resident volunteer community members.

2017 - 2018: Food Not Bombs Soup Kitchen – Soup kitchen for homeless, youth and indigenous folk in the Perth Inner City, with long table meals served at Perth City Farm. Co-Founder.

2016: ANAWA: Walkatjurra Walkabout – Connecting to country with local indigenous people. Desert Walk from Wiluna to Leonora, with mob learning about country and nuclear proposals.

2014 – 2016: Activate Tree Planting - Planting Trees in the Wheat-belt to mitigate salinity on rural farms, with community tree planting, and event co-ordination volunteering.

2006: Mandurah Environmental Advisory Group - Mandurah City Council – Committee Member, assessing urban development proposals to meet the City of Mandurah’s environmental policies, and critiquing urban developments and proposing new environmental standards.

2005: Independent researcher for the proposal for The Greens WA – Decentralised Home Solar Rebate and/or Centralised Large Renewable Energy Projects of the Southwest Interconnected System (SWIS), to be implemented as the Solar Rebate Scheme in Western Australia.

2002 - 2004: AIESEC (Student Exchange) - Co-ordinating 3 university Student Organisations as the State Manager: UWA, Curtin and ECU, co-ordinating training of Students, Conferences, managing relationships with the ECU Guild, Academic Heads of Departments and University Dean with AIESEC, to co-ordinate exchange university student graduates to work overseas and overseas graduates to work in Australia for the promotion of peace and understanding between countries.

 

SKILLS AND INTERESTS

• Appropriate Technology and implementation

• Vehicle mechanics

• Travelling

• Firewood Collecting

• Construction and DIY

• Community Development

• Research

• Trail Running

• Snorkelling

 

AWARDS

Edith Cowan University: Boston Consultant Group – Business Strategy Competition – Innovative Strategy

Edith Cowan University: Vice-Chancellors Student Award for Outstanding student contributions to student life, community engagement and reconciliation.