The Team

I arrived in Esperance in 1993 as a graduate Agricultural Scientist on a short-term contract with the WA Department of Agriculture, which evolved into a longer-term career as a Beef Industry Development Officer and a much longer term contract with Esperance. 

My husband, Ash Reichstein and I have lived and farmed together at Wittenoom Hills, NE of Esperance since 2000, near neighbours to Ash’s brother Chris.   In this time, we have been lucky enough to have four very lovely (and lively!) children now aged from 13 through to 22.  

In 2012, we took our young family to Morocco for 10 months for a DAFWA Trade and Development Project working with Amazigh sheep famers in the Atlas Mountains.  This was a wonderful experience but also made me realise how little I really knew about useful or effective Community Development.

On our return, after a few years focused on the ever-increasing family and farm business management responsibilities, I commenced a Masters in Community Development at Murdoch University; which has been incredibly rewarding. These studies are ongoing. 

I also serve on the Ag Advisory  and Combined Ag Advisory for the Esperance High School Farm, and all WACOA (WA College of Agriculture) schools respectively, and the WA Rabobank Client Council.

I very much believe that communities really come into their own when they take charge of creating their own future.  The Esperance community, which our family is fortunate to call home, already has a strong thread of this DIY approach in it’s DNA.  I really hope Mt Burdett Foundation can play a useful supporting role in converting the energy and good ideas out there, into community ‘game changers’.

Peter is a practising lawyer and has worked for a variety of private commercial clients for over 14 years, including as principal of his own legal firm. He extensive international experience working with governments and local communities in the Asia-Pacific region. In his most recent past role, Peter was deployed by the Australian Government as a senior adviser in Papua New Guinea as part of a law and justice aid program. Peter is currently CEO of Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, which manages the native title rights of the Esperance Nyungars.

Rebecca grew up on her family farm in the small south-coast locality of Manypeaks and credits this for her fondness of living in small communities, later spending several enjoyable years in Jerramungup and also the Cocos Keeling Islands.  

Curious about a broad range of social sciences, at university Rebecca studied History, Asian Studies, Business Economics and Marketing. More recently she completed further learning in Library & Information Studies. 

Following her early career as a business banker, Rebecca decided to switch to more community-focused roles and hasn’t looked back. Currently a Community Development Officer with the Shire of Esperance, she is a witness to the amazing contributions of community members and is inspired by the can-do attitude of Esperance locals. 

My name is Anouska Bonney otherwise known as Anna Bonney. I’m currently employed at the Stars Foundation at Esperance Senior High School. 

I am local girl and have been living in Esperance for most of my life. I attended Nulsen Primary School and Esperance Senior High School. I don’t have a huge connection to farming locally but have very fond memories of spending time with my Dad in the shearing shed as a young girl and playing tag in the sheep pens on top of all the sheep.  

 I continue to raise my four beautiful children in Esperance while and learning to love and have similar interests as them such as local sports. My personal goal is to make our local community a safe supportive and inclusive place as best as possible for my children to love and be proud of where they come from. I am an advocate that believes sporting communities can and continues to impact on young people’s lives in many positive ways.  This is a space that I can have some influence on, and I enjoy the challenges that come with that.  

In all employment that I have been in, I have been privileged enough to be able to work with young people and others to be a link for services and building connection within our community. I am passionate about my Culture and love sharing what I know and what I continue to learn on my journey.   

 A few accomplishments that I am extremely proud of in my life would be becoming a Youth Worker. Receiving the AFL Diversity Ambassador of the Year Award for WA in 2021. Receiving the Community Person of the Year award in 2019 at the local NAIDOC Ball. I have sat on many local advisory groups or boards to provide a holistic view. The most important accomplishment is and will always be raising my children to have kindness in their hearts.  

I arrived in Esperance in 2018, where I quickly realised this beautiful little town is truly one of the most extraordinary places to call home, lifestyle, community, beaches and of course, the wildflowers. Working as an Environmental Scientist and Botanist in the centre of a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot still seems too good to be true! I’ve previously worked in research organisations, local government and private consultancy firms, predominately in impact assessment and development. I currently work for consultants Bio Diverse Solutions. I also work for myself through my business Caladenia Co, both as a botanist and a botanical artist. I’m passionate about how the art and science disciplines interact in education and awareness. I’ve always been a rural girl, growing up firstly in Kununurra and then Albany on small hobby farms. The Mt Burdett Foundation is unique in so many ways, and I’m delighted to be a part of its journey, witnessing the impact and value it can offer to the Esperance community.  

My four children have grown up in Esperance. Easy access to beaches and outdoors; opportunities in academic, sporting and artistic fields; and supportive friends encouraged them to thrive. Our son has settled here and drives tugboats and our daughters have careers in Perth and Melbourne.

Many local young residents have been my students during my 12 years teaching secondary school English. Outside of the classroom my roles included Head of Department, Literacy Coordinator, Year Coordinator, Tournament of Minds facilitator and CountryWeek coach.

Twice I left teaching to resume my former occupation as newspaper editor and reporter: most recently at the ‘Esperance Weekender’ and formerly at the ‘Esperance Express’. I’ve self-published three biographies about local identities and I produced a lifestyle magazine called ‘Espire’ after I relocated here 20 years ago with my husband Ian.

My other Esperance ventures include owner-operating a guesthouse and coordinating two arts festivals. Along the way I’ve served on committees for Playgroup, Esperance Senior High School Board, netball, football, surf lifesaving, golf, Cannery Arts and volunteered for Restore Hope. I am honoured to join Mt Burdett Foundation to support the vibrancy of our local community.

G’day - I’m Rosie, I’m a photographer, videographer, writer and creative director based in Esperance. I recently returned to Esperance (pre-Covid), and have absolutely fallen in love with the place as an adult. 

 I was born in the Esperance hospital in 1993, and I spent my childhood growing up between a bush block at Pink Lake and on Torradup Farm near Munglinup. I moved to Perth when I was 18, where I completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Politics, International Relations, and Journalism, before embarking on a few years of overseas adventures and passport stamp collecting - living in NZ, teaching in Indonesia, working in disaster response and rebuild in Nepal, exploring India on an Enfield motorbike, drinking Sangria in Spain… If and when I needed money, I’d pop home and jump on a header/chaser for a season before taking off again! 

 Having found my way home, I’m now embarking on my journey as an artist. Armed with a passion for story-telling, and a camera (or 10!), I generally spend my days exploring gravel roads and sandy tracks - telling stories from the sticks. 

 I create for a range of publications and clients, creating everything from documentary projects and feature stories, to fashion and lifestyle campaigns. I’ve recently created with iconic Aussie brand Driza-Bone and am featured in RM Williams OUTBACK mag regularly, which still blows my mind! I am deeply inspired by regional Australia and the people and stories that I find here. 

 My passions and interests: Storytelling, creativity, photography, fashion, interior design, travel, psychology, art therapy, community, community development, rural, regional, and remote Australia, youth, agriculture, regenerative ag, food security, dance, learning the drums, hiking, surfing, adventuring and exploring!

 I couldn’t be more honoured and excited to be getting involved with the Mt Burdett Foundation!

Dale is a rural General Practitioner working in both primary care at Esperance Family Practice as well as anaesthetics at Esperance Health Campus.

He has been living in Esperance since 2016 with his family, with his 3 children all thoroughly enjoying what a childhood in Esperance has to offer.

Previously he has undertaken his medical training in regional WA as well as regional Victoria after completing his degree at University of Western Australia. Having grown up in wheatbelt WA there was always a drive to remain in rural/regional areas, and he is proud to be a part of such a great community as Esperance