Academy Committee Members
The Academy of Light was originally founded by Rosemary and John Butterworth. After 22 yrs of devoted service through the Southern Cross Academy of Light / Academy of Light, and 12 years of weekly commutes to their farm, a new Committee of talented and dedicated souls stepped up to assist in the running of AOL. And so it has continued over the years with the Academy now entering its 30th year. It’s vision still remains - to support as many as possible in the spiritual journey called life in which we travel. To bring speakers and events and a multitude of choices of ways to shift consciousness and release old patterns.
President - Sophie Andrews
Sophie, a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, Himalayan Meditation & Kriya Yoga teacher, Reiki Master and spiritual retreat leader, who founded The Meditation Hunter. With over two decades of experience, she bridges ancient wisdom with modern wellness through transformative retreats and teachings.
Her spiritual retreats in India connect individuals with Vedic teachings and healing practices, promoting balance, purpose, and vitality. As President, she fosters a community focused on healing and spirituality, curating inspiring events and sessions for personal growth and transformation.
Vice President - Pamela Ferry
Pamela is a dedicated health coach and wellness advocate with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Her passion for holistic well-being shines through in her approach, as she believes in nurturing both the body and the spirit. A true lover of nature, Pamela finds peace and inspiration in the ocean, the bush, and all things natural. When she’s not coaching, you’ll likely find her immersed in music or experimenting with new vegetarian recipes, always looking for ways to nourish both the body and soul.
Pamela’s spiritual journey is an ongoing quest for inner peace and joy, which she actively shares with others. She is committed to supporting people on their own paths, empowering them to live their best lives with vitality, balance, and happiness. Through her work and personal life, Pamela embodies the values of health, mindfulness, and connection, encouraging others to embrace their fullest potential.
Secretary - Katherine Fairbrooks
Katherine Fairbrooks is a dedicated professional passionate about development, philanthropy, and helping others. She excels in supporter relations, data processing, and retention activities, contributing to projects in Justice and Belonging, major events, and environmental campaigns. With experience in bequest coordination, administration, sales, customer service, health food store management, and volunteer supervision, she brings a diverse skill set. Katherine holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Diploma of Transformational Life Coaching, and certifications in Reiki, NLP, and meditation. She enjoys yoga, visioning, dance, travel, and spiritual development, and has co-facilitated groups like a cosmic consciousness group and a book study group at Rudolf Steiner House. Katherine is also completing her yoga teacher training.
Treasurer - Lean Kaw
Lean has a background in Finance Systems & was involved with multiple technology start-ups until 2012 when she began her spiritual journey, which took a deep dive into Sumerian history, Bhagavadgita, Emerald Tablets of Toth, Zeta technologies, Shamanism & Exopolitics. Today she enjoys sharing & running a monthly meetup group in Redfern.
Committee Member - Paulien Gort
Paulien a Sound Healer and Family Constellations facilitator and runs regular Sound Baths and facilitates Family Constellations workshops. She loves to activate the body’s innate healing abilities through beautiful high vibrational sounds bringing more balance into people’s lives. And also to bring more ease and love in people’s family systems.
Paulien's background is in the arts combined with finances while learning about spirituality and different healing modalities. She has been a member on different Committee’s in the arts in the Netherlands as well as in Australia.
She has been coming to the AOL for about fifteen years, and have enjoyed the wide range of interesting speakers that have enriched and guided her in many ways.
Public Officer - Sharie Kennedy Wren
Sharie worked in the financial services industry for 30 years and is now retired. She has always had an interest in spirituality and the metaphysical world. She has completed a number of courses including Numerology, crystal healing, colour therapy, human design, exploring different systems and modalities for her personal interest. Sharie is also a member of the Social Women's Club as an Ambassador , co-ordinating events for the North Shore group.
Sharie enjoys being involved in the Academy of Light connecting with like minded individuals and supporting the group as we all continue on our spiritual journey.
Committee Member - Carmel Vowles
Carmel has been supporting people for over 40 years who are experiencing profound grief and is passionate to journey with people to transform grief into gratitude changing limiting beliefs about the death process and feeling empowered for their own impending deaths as a conversation to embrace.
Having been a hospital chaplain and more recently a death midwife, she has been journeying with people as a Bowen therapist and counsellor and certified coach to support people to connect body, mind, soul to become more self aware to live more conscious lives.
Committee Member - Lisa-Maree Botticelli
Lisa-Maree is a Mindset and Creativity Coach, energy healer, and graphic designer who empowers entrepreneurs to achieve financial freedom and create impactful businesses. As founder of Pure Creativity Coaching, she helps clients overcome money blocks, self-doubt, and fear of success, combining mindset mastery and creativity to boost income and influence.
Her program, The Alchemy of Money, integrates mindset upgrades and energy healing to transform relationships with wealth. She also runs LM Designs, a graphic and web design agency, supporting spiritual entrepreneurs with bold branding and smart business strategies. Lisa-Maree's approach blends creativity with strategic action and a growth mindset.
Committee Member - Gretel Spiegel
Gretel is a retired holistic healer and natural therapies educator now delving into light language and channeling. Since 2012, she has been actively participating in AOL, appreciating the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and support others on their ascension journey.
“Enlightenment is the journey back from the head to the heart.”
— Ravi Shankar