DarkSky Victoria is a not-for-profit organisation.
DSV has been formed from a group of like minded Victorians who want to see the quality of the night sky retained for future generations.
Australian night skies are still some of the darkest on the planet. DSV aims to provide information, and support to any person, organisation or business that shares our aims.
Kelly Clitheroe President -has been a Maths and Science teacher at a Regional Victorian School for 30 years. She is the current Section Director for the Geelong branch of the ASV and was previously the Secretary for the Astronomical Society of Geelong. Kelly has practised Astronomy for over 10 years and has been taking Astronomical images for even longer. She is a passionate advocate for Dark Skies and providing people with practical options for encouraging others to get on board. Kelly is also interested in Indigenous Astronomy and promoting Astronomy in Regional Areas.
Robert Wagner Vice- President
Judith Bailey Secretary – Judith is a Delegate for DarkSky International. Judith has been advocating for preservation of the night sky for over 30 years. Judith belongs to a number of environmental groups and is a past Manager of the Ballarat Municipal Observatory and Museum. Preserving the Environment for future generations and protecting our heritage, encompassing the values of thousands of years, is the best way forward. Dr Nick Lomb Treasurer – Nick an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern Queensland. Previously, he spent over 30 years as Curator of Astronomy at Sydney Observatory and the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. Nick was Vice-President of the Sydney Outdoor Lighting Improvement Society for many years until he shifted to Melbourne, where he is closely involved with IDS Vic.
Committee
Dr Russell Cockman Russell is a retired industrial chemist who continues to share his passion for science by lecturing chemistry at RMIT University, Melbourne and as Observatory Guide at Melbourne Observatory. He continues to enjoy a long-time interest in astronomy as an avid observer and photographer of all things astronomical and being President of IDAVictoria since 2017, he believes that starry night skies can be returned by design and implementation of appropriate outdoor lighting that minimises intrusion of artificial light into the night. Russell enjoys nothing better than standing under the stars in dark skies and marvelling at the Universe above. Dr Barry A.J. Clark – BSc, MAppSc, PhD, DipMechEng Retired. Barry is Director, Outdoor Lighting Improvement Section, Astronomical Society of Victoria Inc. Barry is an amateur astronomer with over six decades of experience and desires sustainable reductions in the extent and brightness of artificial skyglow.
Robert Wagner
Coula Panagis
Andrew Hayes
The mission of DarkSky Victoria is to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through environmentally responsible outdoor lighting.
The DarkSky Victoria, through its policies and efforts, seeks to:
1. Improve the nighttime environment by reducing light pollution through better lighting practices that provide: • Energy savings resulting in economic benefits • Superb nighttime ambience and quality of life • Conservation of nocturnal wildlife and ecosystems • Safeguarding of scientific and educational opportunities, such as astronomy • Preservation of cultural heritage and inspiration for the arts • Increased visibility, safety, and security at night by reducing glare • Protection of human health; 2. Raise awareness about curtailing light pollution, the beneficial effects of doing so, and its solutions; 3. Educate about the values of environmentally responsible outdoor ighting while collaborating with other like-minded organizations; 4. Promote responsible legislation, public policy, research, and standards in a professional and scientifically sound manner; and 5. Seek specific solutions that mitigate light pollution, including: • Reduce total light in the nocturnal environment (total lumens in use) through;- Densities (i.e. lux)- Warranting- Controls (e.g. on/off capabilities, time-of-night sensors)- Energy Codes• Shielding and directionality. • Consideration of spectral distribution.
