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Episode 6
Hi Neighbour
Season 1- Episode 6
Hi Neighbour!
Yael Stone is a wonderfully talented Australian actor both on stage and screen, most widely known for her role in the US Netflix comedy ‘Orange is the New Black. Just as ‘Blaze’ is hitting Australian cinemas, Robyn talks to Yael about how her efforts in criminal justice reform and experiencing the Black Summer bushfires forced her to clarify her personal values and to try to work towards them. In early 2020, literally covered in climate anxiety, Yael renounced her US Green Card and a life spent traveling between Australia and the US for acting.
Yael is now studying ‘sustainable communities’ at UOW and the seed for ‘Hi Neighbour’ was sown out of curiosity to illuminate the training pathways for coal workers, amidst a global energy transition from fossil fuels, to upskill or retrain and to find future local jobs, keeping them here to call the Illawarra home. Funds donated will see rooftop solar installations in local businesses, with loan repayments and interest converted into scholarship funding.
Just knowing that these large, wicked problems as they're described, they're complex, and they're systematic, which means that the solutions are wonderfully complex and systematic. And there's something heartening in that, because if we connect broadly, and move out of our silos, we've got a chance, but we've got to do it together. Yael Stone, Founding Director, Hi Neighbour.
Platinum Sponsor
Thanks to SOTO Engineering our Platinum Podcast Season Sponsor. Changing the game, one industry at a time.
Gold Sponsor
Thanks to Blend ESQ our Gold Episode Sponsor. Environment, Safety and Quality consulting to transform your business.
Your Next Salty Steps
Draw some inspiration from our actionable takeaways.
- Donate your dollar to Hi Neighbour to lower emissions via rooftop solar installations and train the workforce of the future.
- Are you seeking finance for your business rooftop solar panels? Contact Hi Neighbour to be part of strengthening our local community by keeping workers local.
- Just want to learn more about scholarships, volunteering, afternoon tea, or have a question? Get in touch with Hi Neighbour.
Resources & Links
We’ve gathered together some useful resources and links related to Episode 6.
Yael Stone, Instagram
Hi Neighbour, Instagram
Hi Neighbour, Website
Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery with Yael Stone, ABC iView
Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience, AIME
Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World, Tyson Yunkaporta, Harper Collins
The Other Others Podcast, Tyson Yunkaporta, Spotify
Bachelor of Sustainable Communities, UOW
University of Wollongong, LinkedIn
Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), NSW Government, EnergyCo NSW
Sustainable Building Research Centre (SBRC), UOW
UOW Welcomes commitment to fund Energy Futures Skills Centre, UOW
Imagery thanks to Yael Stone (photo credit to Alex Vaughan) and Robyn Johnson, Blend ESQ.
Salty Conversations
Podcast Host
“Our conversations are all about getting to the heart of why our local area is so special, what we can to do transform it and how we can enjoy a balanced and sustainable life in a way that is beneficial for nature, us, future generations and industry. We are custodians of this place, and can make a huge difference by evolving practices and behaviours at home and work, to have a huge impact on the future of our environment, community and industry.”
– Robyn Johnson, Director, Blend ESQ & Wollongong, Let’s Get Salty Podcast Host
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