SUSTAINABILITY DAY AT THORNBURY HIGH SCHOOL - March 2008

Damien Irving from ASCENT opened proceedings with a presentation addressing the causes, consequences and solutions to climate change. Seventy primary school students from six schools across Darebin Shire Council attended Thornbury High School for a day of sustainability education and activities. Two weeks prior to Sustainability Day Damien and Julia McKenzie facilitated Thornbury High School’s first sustainability student group meeting for the year.

WALK AGAINST WARMING - November 2007

An amazing 50,000 people attended the walk against warming this year. Ellen Sandell from the Melbourne Uni Environ Collective made a great speech on behalf of the youth of Melbourne. ASCENT joined the youth contingent on the walk down to Alexandra gardens with our placards and snorkels to prepare for sea level rise! At the end of the walk ASCENT had a stall where we chatted to many walkers and gave out treats and stickers.

Switched On! Conference - October 2007

Several members of ASCENT took part in organising and running workshops at a conference for students called Switched On, organized by the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) and Australian Student Environment Network (ASEN). The conference went for a total of four days, had students from right across Australia, and was set in the beautiful Blue Mountains of New South Wales.

LEAP CONFERENCE - September 2007

Julia McKenzie from ASCENT was part of organising and running workshops at a conference for High Schools students called the Leadership in Environmental Action Program (LEAP). The conference was organized by the Melbourne University Environment Collective and the Australian Student Environment Network (ASEN). High School students from right across Victoria participated in the 3 day event which included a trip out to the beautiful forests that are being logged in the Central Highlands.

WEBSITE LAUNCH & BIRTHDAY BASH - September 2007

In September 2007 ASCENT turned one! To celebrate we held an event at the Eurotrash bar to simultaneously launch our new website. David Karoly and Sarah Bekessy spoke at the occasion. It was a great turn out, with awesome live music from Mr Dillon and Misery Love. Much thanks to Sejla Alimanovic from ASCENT for organizing such a great night!

PLANE STUPID LAUNCH - August 2007

Amanda McKenzie from ASCENT spoke on the problems of using carbon offsets as a solution to climate change at the launch of Plane Stupid at Melbourne University. Plane Stupid is a group committed to halting airport and flight expansion.

ASCENT FORUM DELIVERY - July 2007

Amanda McKenzie from ASCENT spoke on the problems of using carbon offsets as a solution to climate change at the True Cost Economics Forum held at the Melbourne Town Hall.

LIVE EARTH - July 2007

Several members of ASCENT trained up to Sydney to volunteer at the Live Earth concert on behalf of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) of which ASCENT is a member organisation.

ASCENT FORUM DELIVERY - May 2007

Engineers Without Boarders Monash organised a climate change information night for their members screening Al Gore’s film ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ and holding a forum afterwards. ASCENT facilitated the forum fielding a wide variety of questions and encouraging discussion.

TRIVIA NIGHT - March 2007

ASCENT held its second trivia night fundraising event at Labour in Vain in Brunswick St Fitzroy. Many thanks to our guest MC Sean who expertly delivered trivia, games and arm wrestling. Thanks to Sejla Alimanovic from ASCENT for organizing such a great night as much fun was had by all, and much needed funds were raised for ASCENT.

UNIVERSITY LECTURE TOUR: Peter Christoff - March 2007

ASCENT organized a speaking tour by Dr Peter Christoff at Melbourne, Monash and RMIT universities. Dr Christoff had recently taken part in the Al Gore climate action education program. Dr Christoff is an expert in climate change policy and politics, and the current Vice President of the ACF, the coordinator of environmental studies in the School of Social and Environmental Enquiry at the University of Melbourne, and formerly the Assistant to the Commissioner for the Environment in Victoria.

UNIVERSITY O-WEEKS - February 2007

ASCENT jumped on a stall next to the environment collectives at both the Monash and RMIT O weeks. It was great to see such a positive interest from fellow students and many heated discussions about sun spots, nuclear and fruit trees. Thanks to both universities’ environment collectives for their help and support.

TRIVIA NIGHT - December 2006

ASCENT held its first trivia night fundraising event at the start of December 2006. The night was packed out, much fun was had by all and much needed funds were raised for ASCENT.

WALK AGAINST WARMING - November 2006

The Walk Against Warming mobilized thousands of Melbournians who called for something more to be done about climate change. ASCENT members helped publicise the event by distributing thousands of flyers and posters and spoke on student radio, Syn FM. On the day ASCENT members participated in the walk to Birrung Marr and then rushed to our stall at the Walk’s conclusion inundated with people keen to learn about climate change and to find out about our activities.

UNIVERSITY LECTURE TOUR: Dr Helen Caldicott - September 2006

Dr Helen Caldicott is an expert in nuclear and climate policy and recipient of the 2006 Australian Peace Award. ASCENT organised for Helen to come to Melbourne and speak at four universities, Melbourne, Monash, La Trobe and RMIT. Lectures were attended by approximately 800 people.

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CITY OF MONASH AWARD - June 2007

On World Environment Day 2007 ASCENT received a commendation for community leadership from the City of Monash as part of their World Environment Day Awards. ASCENT had been part of several activities within the City of Monash and was very proud to have our activities recognized.

AYCC NATIONAL COORDINATOR POSITION - August 2007

In August of 2007 Amanda McKenzie from ASCENT became the National Coordinator of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) for 2007. ASCENT has been part of the AYCC since its inception in 2006. We are very proud to have a member of ASCENT in such a prominent position within the organisation.



ASCENT believes that it is very important to engage with school students to educate them about climate change and its potential impact upon their future. Students should not feel disempowered merely because they are young or because they cannot vote. ASCENT can educate school students in the countless ways they can make a difference.

SCHOOL PRESENTATION TOUR - Late 2007

Damien Irving and Julia McKenzie presented to year 8, 9 and 10 classes at Melbourne Grammar School, Mirboo North Secondary College, Kew High School and Brunswick Secondary College.

March 2007

Amanda McKenzie from ASCENT spoke to a group of over 400 senior students at Wesley College earlier this year about the climate change - the problem and the solutions. The talk sparked much interest in the student body and the school was very pleased with our speaker. Students also completed a follow up activity designed by ASCENT in their tutorials.



ASCENT SCHOOL SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Thornbury High School 2008
Brunswick Secondary College 2007
Kew High School 2007
Mirboo North Secondary College 2007
Melbourne Grammar 2007
Wesley Secondary College 2007


ASCENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Plane Stupid Launch 2007
True Cost Economics Forum 2007
Engineers Without Borders (Monash) members night 2007

STUDENT CONFERENCES

LEAP, Leadership in Environmental Action Program 2007
Switched On! Run by AYCC and ASEN in the Blue Mountains 2007

ASCENT PUBLIC EVENTS

Website Launch 2007
Trivia Night 2007
Trivia Night 2006

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Walk Against Warming 2007
Live Earth Concert Sydney 2007
University Orientation week 2007
Walk Against Warming 2006

ASCENT GUEST LECTURE TOURS

Peter Christoff 2007
Helen Caldicott 2006

ASCENT AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

Amanda becomes National Coordinator of the AYCC 2007

ASCENT commended by City of Monash 2007