2021 Green Living Webinar eBook

GREEN LIVING

Image: North South Homes

MASTER BUILDERS VICTORIA

GREEN LIVING 2021 WEBINAR E-BOOK

n o Ent w o rie pe s n!

2022 MBV

Building Excellence Awards Categories include...

M A S T E R

B U I L D E R S

V I C T O R I A

Best Sustainable Project A W A R D S

M A S T E R

B U I L D E R S

V I C T O R I A

Best Sustainable Home A W A R D S

M A S T E R

B U I L D E R S

A W A R D S

V I C T O R I A

Best Sustainable Home (Residential) Best Sustainable Home (Commercial)

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CONTENTS

Introduction from Dr Phil Alviano ..........................................................

NCC 2022 energy efficiency and condensation provisions.............

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6

Building 4.0 CRC Update......................................................................

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Excellence in Housing Awards 2020..................................................

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Excellence in Construction Awards 2020.........................................

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7 Stars of Efficency.................................................................................

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Speakers...................................................................................................

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SPONSORS

This conference is proudly sponsored by:

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FOR YOUR BUSINESS? Master Builder Victoria Member Advisory Services can help!

MBV supports our members through the exclusive added value of specialist advisory services. Our team of experts is available to assist members on a range of technical areas, including; COVID-19 regulations Legal OHS (Occupational Health & Safety) Employment & Industrial Relations Insurance Environmental Building permits Business Registration On-site OHS audits Sustainable Building We provide our members with specialist, tailored workplace information to help you build a compliant, strong and future ready business.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

While some things remain the same, Energy efficiency moves forward

A

fter a few stop start attempts at delivering an in person Green Living Conference this year we have had to again deliver an online event. 2021 marks the 16th year of the Master Builders Green Living Conference.

One of the things that I’ve found most enjoyable over the years is catching up with attendees and seeing attendees enjoy catching up with each other; swapping ideas and stories. It’s something that I often get comments about from people who attend for the first time.

So while moving online is not quite the same, it has provided an opportunity for more to be involved from regional,

interstate and even from international locations.

In this issue we share an update with you about Master Builders’ work as part of the Building CRC 4.0. We also have a look at last years best sustainable house and project winners from the Master Builders Excellence in Housing and Construction Awards and review the coming changes to energy efficiency in the NCC 2022.

I’m extremely excited to continue to provide you with the most up-to-date information and most importantly, solutions.

Cheers, Phil

Master Builders Victoria – GREEN

Dr Phil Alviano Sustainable Building Advisor, Master Builders Victoria

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NCC 2022

Proposed amendments to the NCC 2022 energy efficiency and condensation technical provisions O

n the 1st of February 2019 the Energy Ministers agreed to the Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings, a national plan that sets a trajectory towards zero energy (and carbon) ready buildings for Australia. This report focussed on improving new buildings. NCC 2022 is part of this body of work.

After a major stringency increase for commercial buildings in NCC 2019, Building Ministers directed the ABCB to develop enhanced residential energy efficiency provisions informed by the former COAG Energy Council’s Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings policy.

SUMMARY OF MAJOR CHANGES 1. Stringency increase the Star Rating Measure

What’s likely to be involved?

Increase in thermal performance from the current level, equivalent to 6 Star NatHERS, to the equivalent of 7 Stars.

Higher window and glazing performance Increases in ceiling and wall insulation R-values Restrictions on wall and roof colours Changes to structural floor systems (insulated slabs or sub-floor insulation.

2. W hole of home energy use requirements added Measure

What’s likely to be involved?

Whole of home annual energy use requirements.

Introduction of a collective energy use budget for; Hot water systems Lighting Swimming pool and spa pumps.

Differences between Class 1 and Class 2 Buildings.

This work supports the Australian Government’s commitment under the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the National Energy Productivity Plan.

Ability to trade between the efficiency of systems for annual energy use budget.

Onsite renewables may be installed to offset the energy consumption of the equipment but not the building fabric.

These policies all include a focus on the role that buildings play in reducing emissions, improving energy productivity, reducing household energy bills and helping to transition to the greater use of renewable energy and zero emissions vehicles.

As well as meeting the 7-Star requirement, new houses and single occupancy units (SOU) will need to meet a collective energy use budget for heating and cooling systems, hot water, lighting and swimming pool and spa pumps (where fitted).

The following is an overview of the major changes that will be implemented in the NCC 2022.

The ABCB will provide a simple whole-of-home calculator to assist in quickly

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determining the requirements.

The NatHERS Administrator is also working on expanding NatHERS beyond thermal comfort to incorporate whole-of-home requirements to align with the proposed NCC 2022 provisions. This will allow the whole of home assessment to be completed as part of the energy rating.

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NCC NCC2022C 2022 Note, the thermal bridging mitigation measures proposed for NCC 2022 do not seek to totally eliminate thermal bridging by all framing. Instead, it proposes to reduce the thermal bridging of steel frames so the total R-Value of an element with steel framing is: no less than 95% of that for a timber-framed element for insulation R-Values of R3.0 or less no less than 90% of that for a timber-framed element for insulation R-Values above R3.0.

3. N ew deemed to satisfy elemental provisions (Class 2) Measure

What’s likely to be involved?

Increase in thermal performance from the current level, equivalent to 6 Star NatHERS, to the equivalent of 7 Stars.

Higher window and glazing performance Increases in ceiling and wall insulation R-values Restrictions on wall and roof colours Changes to structural floor systems (insulated slabs or sub-floor insulation).

This differential approach reflects the diminishing returns of insulation at higher R-Values.

Renewable Gas. We’re changing gas, for good.

Find out more about the future of gas at australiangasnetworks.com.au/renewablegas

Renewable gas (such as hydrogen) provides all the great benefits of natural gas, but has zero carbon emissions.

It’s already started making its way into homes in South Australia as a blend with natural gas, and in 2023 our HyP Murray Valley facility will blend renewable hydrogen with natural gas, at volumes of up to 10% to more than 40,000 connections.

By continuing to support gas infrastructure, you will be ‘renewable gas ready’ when we start delivering. By 2030, we aim to have the whole of network supplied with a 10% renewable gas blend, with an aspiration to shift to 100% renewable gas by 2040.

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NCC 2022 CONCLUSION

4. Retrofit onsite renewables & vehicle charging Measure

What’s likely to be involved?

New provisions designed to allow easy retrofit of onsite renewable and electric vehicle charging equipment for Class 2 to 9 Buildings.

New provisions designed for ‘solar ready’ zones for potential future installation of electric vehicle charging equipment for Class 2 to 9 buildings.

New provisions are being proposed to enable Class 2, and 5 to 9 buildings to be easily retrofitted with DER. DER include photovoltaic (PV) panels, battery storage systems and electric vehicles (EV). The changes are intended to “future proof” buildings for retrofitting onsite renewables

which in many instances are likely to become businessas-usual equipment for commercial buildings in future.

The provisions do not require EV charging equipment, but are designed to make it much easier to install such equipment as EVs become more common over the coming decades.

Measure

What’s likely to be involved?

Enhanced condensation management provisions.

Changes to wall sarking requirements to more vapour permeable types equivalent to Class 3 or 4 membranes (depending on the climate zones).

What will this mean for in practice?

Master Builders Victoria is currently in the process of organising NatHERS modelling for some housing designs to provide further information and evidence for members on the changes. From previous discussions with builders and energy raters MBV believe the following is likely.

Aspect is vital: • Get the passive solar design correct from the beginning • Look for living areas and windows on the north side of the house. Reduce window sizes elsewhere.For further information on Passive Solar Design principles visit Master Builders Victoria’s Youtube page... www.youtube.com/ watch?v=YylmeMilok8

NCC 2019 introduced Ventilating roof spaces that include; specific condensation Providing air spaces for roofs management for Changes to roof sarking installation the first time. For and roof sarking vapour permeability NCC 2019 more requirements substantive measures Additional roof space ventilation via are being proposed. installation of whirlybirds, ridge or eave vents or similar.

It will be easier to achieve 7-Star in single storey houses rather than double storey Overshadowing by neighbours can reduce the star rating by 0.5 Maximum insulation (R6 ceiling. 2.5 walls) Most likely that all windows and doors in conditioned areas will need to be double glazed and thermally broken Plus low-e glass for double storey

5. C ondensation management measures Notes: Changes to sarking requirements for Climate zone 4 to 8.

Plus: Measure

What’s likely to be involved?

Enhanced condensation management provisions.

Exhaust system changes including; Minimum flow rates for exhaust fans Mandatory exhaust and ducting to the outside for exhaust fans and rangehoods Banning recirculating rangehoods Bathrooms not naturally ventilated must have exhaust fans with 10 minute runoff timer Additional provision for ventilation to laundries/ bathrooms containing a dryer.

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MBV understands the benefits of moving to 7-Star however; we are concerned that wider implications have not been fully considered and we continue to work with government on these issues. They include;

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An increased risk of condensation and mould

NCC 2022 A rigid assessment pathway Planning and lot layout requirements not yet part of planning schemes A rushed and late consultation process Industry upheaval and supply chain shortages.

As well as supply shortages the Industry has currently been hit by a tsunami of changes that are severely impacting on construction: New accessible housing requirements will add significant cost Supply shortages increasing costs of products with price increases of 30-50% Changes to trade registration requirements

• Allowing materials suppliers time to source and develop the window market, building membranes and product specifications and guidance.

Impact of covid on the industry, especially the renovation industry in Victoria and the risk of increased insolvencies in early 2022.

MBV believes a significant transition period of a minimum 2-3 years is required before new regulations take effect. This will provide time for;

2. Regulatory change to occur at an appropriate pace. For example;

1. The development of training and education for industry and consumers. For example; • The development of and support for training of the industry around issues of condensation management and correct building techniques • The development of housing displays showcasing 7 Star houses

• Time for proper assessment of the changes and feedback through the RIS process, • Inclusion of condensation management upgrades to the NCC, • Planning changes for new developments requiring improved lot lay out for solar access and reduced overshadowing.

g n i h t a e h S e Abov

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LOOK! UP AT THAT ROOF!

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IS IT AN OVER-EXAGGERATED AMERICAN THING?

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erproofing or out ASV, weath

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...CONTACT US! LIVING 2021

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welcome@proclima.com.au | 1800 PRO CLIMA (776 254) | proclima.com.au

CRC UPDATE

Building 4.0 CRC Update T

he CRC 4.0 aims to help the construction sector become more efficient by conducting industry driven research into new technologies and techniques. It focuses on digitally-enabled solutions and new manufacturing products to develop an internationally competitive, dynamic and thriving Australian advanced manufacturing sector, delivering better buildings at lower cost and the human capacity to lead the future industry.

Master Builders Victoria is invested in the future of the building and construction industry and the work with the Building 4.0 is part of making this future a reality.

MBV is currently involved in the following projects.

ePlanning and eApprovals – Scoping Study (Commenced March 2021).

As a key industry partner of the Building 4.0 Cooperative Research Centre, Master Builders Victoria sits alongside other project partners including Lendlease, Monash University, the University of Melbourne, BlueScope, CSR, Schiavello, the Master Builders Association of Victoria and others.

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MBV understand that planning can be a pain point for many builders and we know that planning and building approval processes are still largely paper (PDF) based. This makes the process inefficient and time-consuming, imposing significant costs on both industry and government. This scoping study as part of the longer-term objective of the CRC’s work in this area is to embrace the opportunities that digital workflow and digital

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twin technology provide to design, develop and deliver an innovative digital platform to facilitate effective, efficient and timely planning, building permits, approvals, ongoing compliance with planning controls, building regulations and other regulatory requirements.

The scoping study is about to be concluded with a strategic and roadmap report. This report will detail the projects findings and provides a framework for the required future work to begin the delivery of an online planning and approvals network.

Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality technologies in vocational education and training (scoping study) (Commenced April 2021) Vocational Education and Training (VET) is a major

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CRC UPDATE part of Australia’s education system. It is crucial to train practitioners with innovative technologies to gain fundamental skills in critical and creative thinking, Information and Communication Technology capability, and intercultural understanding for meeting Australia’s future workforce.

This project aims to explore the integrated utilisation of VR/ AR technologies in the VET system. Innovative vocational education based on VR/AR can provide initial skilling and help workers to retrain as jobs and industries evolve.

The scoping study will be used to define desirable extended reality technologies for design and development/ evaluation of appropriate skill

training platforms in building construction.

Automated tracking of construction materials for improved supply chain logistics and provenance – Phase 1 Scoping Study Improved understanding of supply chain logistics and product providence are of high importance for our industry.

This project is investigating the building supply chain and assessing tracking technologies to determine those most suitable for the construction sector.

Recent highly publicised building failures, such as cladding, have been compounded by an inability to trace non-conforming materials. New contracts are including requirements for

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materials to be compliant with a number of environmental initiatives and anti-slavery legislation. New modes of data capture allow us to register compliance, track materials to site, track construction progress, and provide ongoing traceability.

The efficiency of the construction process also benefits from being able to track building materials along the supply chain. The location of the materials can be monitored in real time highlights any delivery delays and also allows preparation for on site arrival.

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If you would more information please contact Philip Alviano on 9411 4577 or via email at palviano@mbav.com.au

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AWARDS WINNERS 2020

Excellence in Housing Awards 2020 Best Sustainable Home North South Homes The Sunlight House Cape Patterson This home provides an excellent example of what can be achieved in new home construction. Built and certified to the Passive House

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standard required careful attention during the design and construction process to include reduced thermal bridging, high levels of insulation, quality triple glazed windows and postconstruction tested airtightness of 0.6 air changes per hour

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@50 Pa. The high levels of insulation were catered for by having wider 140mm Walls with R4 insulation, 240mm Roof Rafters with R6 insulation and 240mm Joists with R6 insulation. Air tightness and condensation was controlled

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AWARDS WINNERS 2020

by wrapping the inside walls with Intello wrap and a vapourpermeable membrane was used on the outside of the frame. When the doors and windows are closed, fresh filtered air is provided by a heat recovery ventilation system.

This Passive House has an 8 Stars NatHERS rating, is full of natural light and designed to fit in with the surrounding landscape. The north-facing aspect was used to maximise the warm winter sun to the living and bedroom areas.

During summer the careful placement of external shading keeps the sun out. The 6 kW photovoltaic system on the roof will easily provide more energy than the house will ever use. The all-electric house uses a heat pump hot water system, induction cooktop and a single

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small air conditioning unit to provide supplementary heating and cooling when required.

This home also goes beyond this to consider the materials used. Certified timbers were used including Spotted Gum Cladding, Cypress Pine pergolas and Black Butt flooring. The kitchen benches were made from Paperock, which is made from recycled paper and emits no VOCs. A prefabricated wall, floor and roof system also reduced the production of waste on site.

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AWARDS WINNERS 2020 timber and expansive windows.

The car park even incorporated bioswales for water reuse and feature landscaping intricately integrated with the façade.

Excellence in Construction Awards 2020 Best Sustainable Project Hacer Group Pty Ltd Burwood Brick Works Shopping Centre Burwood Brickworks is like no other retail shopping centre.

Having an urban farm, café and chickens on the roof certainly goes some of the way to delivering on this. It is designed to be a leader in the sustainable development and was delivered

by Hacer Group.

Hacer Group were required to deliver a shopping centre with 3 major tenants; 3 minimajors; cinemas and 40 14

speciality tenancies while integrating the most stringent Environmental criteria to satisfy the requirements of Green Building Council of Australia and International Living Building Institute (ILBI). The centre achieved a 6 Star Greenstar As Built rating. The overall structure included a basement car park, a 4,000sqm deck over the car park and approximately 2,000sqm for an urban farm tenancy. The façade was largely precast using recycled crushed brick and also incorporated, salvaged brickwork, salvaged

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In addition to this the project was required to meet the Living Building Challenge (LBC) of the ILBI. This means that the building had to meet the requirements of a number of key areas grouped under the headings, Place, Water, Energy, Health and Happiness, Materials, Equity and Beauty. During the construction process, the focus was on material compliance, waste mitigation and reusing salvaged products. Material compliance involved obtaining and reviewing all ingredients that make up each component of every product installed, applied or placed on site. There were in excess of 850 ingredients that need to be avoided as they are considered worst-in-class materials/chemicals with the greatest impact to human and ecosystem health.

The procurement strategy needed to ensure at least 20% of the projects products/cost were sourced within 2000km, 30% within 5000km and 25% within 9000km from the project site to satisfy the living economy imperative. In the end, over 80% was sourced within 2000km.

This was achieved by focusing on the selection of materials from salvaged opportunities wherever possible. For example, utilising the formwork from the concrete pours as a hanging installation and as wall cladding in the main car park entry travelator lobby.

As part of the Green Star criteria, 90% of construction waste had to be diverted from

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AWARDS WINNERS 2020 landfill. In addition to this, the LBC also had specific targets for particular waste streams.

For example, 99% of metals and cardboards were recycled and 100% of soil and biowaste was reused on nearby projects sites. This was managed with the use of multiple bins on site, clear signage and site policing to ensure separation of waste streams allowing for ease of waste diversion.

both natural daylight and fresh air regularly. For all regularly occupied tenant spaces, where the natural daylight and air may not reach, openable skylights have been installed with tenancy controls. Within the centrally located Woolworths tenancy, SolaTubes have been installed to allow daylight to channel down to employees working in the store.

Nine bays, each spanning an excess of 16 metres, of northfacing operable windows, provides building occupants access to the outside world with

Close to 3,000 PV panels have been installed across the roof deck of the Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre which contributes towards the power supply demanded by the

building’s use. The system will supply 1MW of power.

A closed-loop water system has been installed on the basement level of the building to treat wastewater. This system has been designed to capture, treat and re-use both rain and waste water sourced from the Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre for use in the toilets and gardening areas.

An important part of the construction process was ensuring that subcontractors were aware of the sustainability initiatives to ensure that they were met.

Educating subcontractors on the purpose of LBC and Green Star requirements was initially overwhelming for the trades as it highlighted an unknown risk. Therefore, subcontractors were continually supported through the process. It was also important to ensure that the education which was being delivered to the key project managers of each subcontractor trade was actually filtering down to the wider subcontractor team on site.

Ongoing sustainability education through inductions, Toolbox Meetings and posters were used to ensure the message regarding sustainability initiatives during construction reached all those involved in the project. An additional component of the site management of LBC and Green Star largely revolved around policing the use of approved materials, rather than off the shelf solutions, and ensuring the correct bin selection for waste disposal was made.

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ENERGY

7 Stars of Efficency

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Star is coming and whole of house rating is coming. Energy efficiency requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC) are likely to increase. What will this mean and how can you deliver on these most effectively?

home that is warm in winter, cool in summer and filled with daylight all year long is critically important.

Spending more time at home during last year’s lockdowns increased people’s awareness of how cold their homes could get. Spending long periods studying or working from home meant heating and cooling systems were used for much longer periods than before resulting in increased energy bills. More than ever a well-built, energy efficient

This webinar features industry experts who will explain what it takes to build and renovate for improved energy efficiency and comfort. New methods and appliances are changing the way we build.

Take part in a question-andanswer session with industry experts for the opportunity to have all your questions answered, as well as product demonstration sessions with the latest information.

webinar focus is on linking the information provided to good quality, practical advice, and solutions. The result is higher quality construction, healthier living and more energyefficient outcomes for your clients.

This year, hear about:

Our goal is to raise awareness of the development of quality construction trends. The

Real world performance and the benefits of highperformance housing Building an affordable zero energy home Improving energy efficiency compliance Engaging with home buyers.

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SPEAKERS

SPEAKERS at this years conference...

INGE SARUNIC – Sustainable Homes Partnerships, Sustainability Victoria “Efficient and Zero Net Carbon Homes; How, what and why” Sustainability Victoria recently completed the Zero Net Carbon Homes program and has launched a new program for energy efficiency in the residential market. This presentation describes what is required to make a home efficient or net zero carbon, what the costs and benefits are and how these homes can be marketed and sold.

WADE BASHAW – North South Homes “Why Passive House?”

With nearly 30 years’ experience building houses that began in Canada, Wade recently completed the winner of Master Builders Victoria Best Sustainable Home 2020, the Sunlight House. Hear about why passive house techniques are so important, the traps to watch out for and how to deliver them cost effectively.

JESSE CLARKE – Building Science Manager, Pro Clima Australia “Preventing condensation with Above Sheathing Ventilation (ASV). The superhero of roofs that work.”

Condensation is one symptom of poor building envelope design. Various building science studies from around the world have found that no matter what the roof cladding type, there are significant benefits to providing ventilation between the cladding and a secondary weather tightness layer using battens and counter battens.

Above Sheathing Ventilation (ASV) is the superhero of roofs that work. How and why did ASV come into being? Condensation and summer heat are no match for ASV.

ADAM MAGENNIS – Director, Kaptify Profressional Art and Heritage Management Consultancy “Aborignal Heritage Act” Adam Magennis career involves 13 years as a Qualified Bricklayer\Stonemason in the building sector and 13 years in the public service and private business working within the Victorian environmental, community development and heritage sector.

He currently is Director of Kaptify which undertakes archaeological assessments, professional art and education. Adam is an active board member of Working Heritage Incorporated who manage Historical Buildings across Melbourne CBD and regional Victoria, a casual lecturer at La Trobe University in Masters in Archaeology undertaking archaeological field schools and a casual role as youth mentor at Bunilwarra Healing Service supporting Indigenous youth within the justice system.

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