Who We Are
Hearts Above The Sea (HATS) is an Australian registered charity with an aim to provide projects and solutions to the low lying nations in the South Pacific who are affected by global climate change, starting with Kiribati.
We are a group of mostly Kiribati Australians who care deeply about the future of the Kiribati people and culture. Collectively we have strong professional skills in the areas of innovation, design, digitisation, telecommunications, healthcare, finance, engineering, and more. We are determined to use our skills to create a better future for Kiribati, the South Pacific, Australia, and the world.
About Us
Photo: Students at BTS JSS high school in Kiribati, participating in the HATS pilot program.
Meet The Team
-
Teue Collier - Chairperson & Director
Giving back to the Pacific Island Nations was a decade-long dream of mine. I felt that with the right team of talented volunteers that we could build something meaningful and impactful, to support our pacific island nations impacted by climate change. Shining a light on the human impacts of climate change in the South Pacific, connecting students through education around culture and climate change, and exploring ways to preserve culture are things I’m deeply passionate about. I couldn’t be prouder of the HATS team and the work we’ve created.
-
Tim Collier - Design Director
I am passionate about sustainability and systems level change. In 2010, a trip to Kiribati with Teue opened my eyes to both the magic of island culture and the perilous fate facing nations impacted by rising sea levels. My role is to ensure HATS is fiercely people centric and that the projects are practical, impactful and culturally inclusive.
-
Rhi Roe - Marketing Director
I always felt close to the I-Kiribati culture through the custom dances and family we were surrounded by. Spreading awareness of climate change and giving young Australian students a more personal connection to this via their Pacific peers will really help to change mindsets and attitudes, not only to climate change but to building empathy with Pacific islanders.
-
Andy Grodynski - Secretary & Director
Being involved with HATS is an opportunity to provide support to people who will bear the most immediate brunt of climate change and raise awareness of its imminent impact. Having a personal family connection to the islands through both my wife (Rhi Roe) and our children is a huge motivator to ensure their cultural heritage is not lost.
-
Chris King - Volunteer Finance Manager
Education on the impacts of climate change and what we can do to combat it is a passion of mine and I've long wanted to be able to give something back to help communities most impacted by it. The HATS work is a perfect opportunity for me to use my finance qualifications and experience to use to assist their wonderful cause.
-
Naomi Saines - Volunteer Marketer & Photographer
I’m deeply passionate about climate action, sustainability, education, and culture preservation. That’s why I joined HATS! I see my marketing, project management, and creative skills as tools to make positive change. It was a pleasure to go to Kiribati as the HATS Photographer to capture the beautiful culture and our Virtual Cultural Exchange Program in action.