ASCENT | Who We Are

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... WHO WE ARE ...

Amanda McKenzie - president
Amanda began ASCENT in September of 2006 with the vision of generating much needed action on climate change within the Melbourne community. She has an Arts degree in politics from Melbourne University, and is currently finishing a Law degree at Monash University.
At the start of August in 2007 Amanda became the National Coordinator of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition. During her time volunteering at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, and whilst traveling through India, Amanda realized that the people in the poorest countries will suffer the effects of climate change the most, and decided action had to be taken!

Julia McKenzie
Julia has been involved with ASCENT since its initiation in 2006. She has just completed an Arts and Sciences degree at Melbourne University majoring in History and Philosophy of Science and Zoological sciences. In 2008 Julia plans to continue study by completing honours in the zoology department at Melbourne University. Currently she is completing a research project into moth behaviour in the zoology department for a PHD student in that field.
Julia is interested in science communication and education, volunteering in a yr 9 science classroom for 6 months as part of the In2Science program. She has recently participated in the Green Steps program, an environmental consultancy and training course. Julia is passionate about conservation and the environment, and maintains that as climate change will affect the vast number of other species on this planet it is our responsibility to take action.

Sejla Alimanovic - Secretary
Sejla is an Environmental Engineering student at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. According to RMIT, she will be able to ‘bridge the gap between core engineering skills and environmental issues’. She thought that was very exciting when she applied for the course nearly three years ago. Whilst never being affiliated with a climate change (or any) activist groups previously, she is thoroughly enjoying being involved with ASCENT.
Sejla was born in Croatia, but is of Bosnian upbringing. In 1991 when the civil war commenced in the former Yugoslavia, she started moving around Europe with her family, eventually finding their way to Australia in 1993. She has been in Melbourne since the end of 2003. Sejla first became interested in environmental issues at age 17, after completing a course called environmental chemistry at school. Her travelling experience and cultural background made the word ‘global’ part of her vocabulary, and she came to perceive the Earth as small and vulnerable. In the future, Sejla plans to be living a carbon neutral life and working on projects with an environmental focus.

Damien Irving – Schools Coordinator
Damien is a science student at the University of Melbourne, majoring in atmospheric and ocean science. Upon finishing his undergraduate degree, Damien plans to complete further postgraduate studies in climatology. He decided to join ASCENT in the hope that education of today's youth may bring about significant action to improve tomorrow's society

Mark Carolane
Mark is a Masters student in Urban Planning at RMIT with a particular interest in environmental sustainability and transport. Prior to undertaking his masters he studied Geography and Ecology at Melbourne Uni, where he gained a rudimentary understanding of the science of climate change. Mark believes that climate change needs to be at the forefront of all decision making from a personal to an institutional level and that education, debate and political pressure are important in making that happen.

Sam Cooke
Sam has been a member of ASCENT since its inception in 2006. He is currently finishing his double degree in Architecture / Property & Construction, and runs a small design business. Sam believes grass roots action is what it is going to take to make changes to Australia's policies and attitudes on climate change issues, and wants to help spread the word and educate people on how they can live a more sustainable life. He loves snowboarding, live music and traveling.

Cam Hassard - Bulletin
Cam is ASCENT's self professed wordsmith and bulletin gopher. In the past he has studied a Bachelor of Arts degree at RMIT and has developed a firm social awareness and understanding of climate change. A freelance writer and musician in his own right, he currently writes opinion columns for www.actnow.com.au, and performs regularly in bands around Melbourne.

Aimee Burslem - Website design
Aimee is currently making this website, so will write something about herself shortly

Dennis Gellert - Website
Dennis is employed at the Information Systems department at Monash University to develop and maintain the Content Management System and provide technical support and other website related resources.