Melanie Arnost
Student and Green Cross Volunteer

Melanie's involvment with Green Cross feels a bit like fate. She has always been a passionate advocate for human rights, however it wasn't until she met Mara and Fran that Mel realised the impact climate change would have on humankind.

 

This, along with the information reitterated to her by a variety of organisations and friends, compelled Melanie to become actively involved with Green Cross, as it encompasses her values and the notion of "saving the planet".  She could not think of a group better to volunteer her time to. 

 

How Mel is helping out:

 

Mel is a key member of the Green Cross Street Team, fundraising and spreading awareness about the work of Green Cross Australia. As she is studying Journalism at QUT, Mel is also helping to raise awareness of Green Cross through a range of media, including university magazines and the airwaves of Brisbane!

Cas Bennetto
Executive Director, Australian British Chamber of Commerce

Cas Bennetto has recently commenced as Executive Director of the Australian British Chamber of Commerce. Prior to this Cas made senior contributions to iconic events and institutions including:

• Founded and produced the OpenAir Cinema at Farm Cove, Botanic Gardens, Sydney, now attracting more than 60,000 patrons each year
• Member of the Griffith University team [writer/researcher/campaign advisor] responsible for the winning bid to host Australia’s National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) – announced November 2007
• Developed and implemented a national strategy endorsed by Federal Arts Minister to promote the value of the arts to the Australian community following the report delivered by Saatchi & Saatchi Australia [2002/03]
• Developed and implemented a communication strategy to re-brand The Smith Family as a 21st century social enterprise; [2000]; Established a new corporate affairs/marketing unit for The Smith Family [TSF] in Victoria; TSF launched its national Christmas Appeal in Melbourne in December 2000 for the first time in its 79-year history.
• Produced and managed a large-scale community project ‘Protect Our Pacific’ [patron, Ian Kiernan], winning support and funding from the NSW government, 1995; Developed and managed KPMG’s sponsorship campaign of Clean Up the World — a global campaign involving 72 KPMG offices worldwide – 1994;
• Conference organiser/marketer of the annual Screen Producers Association of Australia [SPAA] conference (largest gathering of the film industry in Australia each year) from 1992 to 1996 — more than doubled in size during that period;
  

Since early 2007 Cas has supported the Climate Change Coalition as a research and advocacy consultant.

 

How Cas is helping out:  

 

Cas will coordinate Green Cross' relationship with strategic media partners to ensure that the Australian public is able to engage with The People's Assembly as deeply as possible.  

Jennifer Burley
Student and Volunteer for Green Cross Australia

Hi, my name is Jenny Burley and I’m a 20 year old student in the 4^th year of a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics) and Arts (International Relations and Economics) at the University of Queensland, Brisbane. 

 

Although I have lived in Brisbane my entire life, I love travelling and have spent time overseas in Europe and Japan. I thoroughly enjoy spending time outdoors, whether it’s at the beach, bushwalking or kayaking and I love photography, yoga, painting, architecture and trying new foods. 

 

I have recently become quite involved in and passionate about environmental issues. I have been able to explore this by targeting my studies around environmental and development economics, environmental politics and policy, environmental markets and biophysics. I have found studying an array of disciplines to be very valuable, in that it enables me to approach complex problems from a number of different perspectives. 

 

I was initially drawn to Green Cross’ work through their mission statement, which suggested a holistic and values based approach to environmental issues. I believe that this is crucial in ensuring that we proactively address the root causes of environmental degradation, rather than reactively bandaging the symptoms. After volunteering at the National People’s Assembly, I have realised just how critical it is that we focus on the humanitarian implications of environmental issues and I am very excited to be contributing to an organisation that aims to do just that.

 

How Jenny is helping out:

 

Jenny is a key member of the Green Cross Street Team, fundraising and spreading awareness about the work of Green Cross Australia.

Sophie Bromley
British Runaway and Green Cross Austrlaia volunteer

Hello, my name is Sophie.  I am currently over in Aus from Manchester in England after having graduated with a degree in English and Art History. I set off to Aus with the aim of finding my true calling in life, to build upon my eco warrior status and to enjoy the tropical treats of this fine country.

I have always been passionate about the environment and wildlife and have been a part of a number of conservation projects and have volunteered for other NGOs in various parts of the globe. I’ve been helping at Green Cross for about two and a half months now, doing basic admin, working on the website and our facebook page as well as getting close and personal with a paintbrush, painting some canvases inspired by our sea level rise and Extreme Weather Heroes projects.  

 

I was attracted to Green Cross for their focus on the humanitarian aspect of climate change and environmental impacts. I respect the angle they take on the subject. Unlike other environmental groups who focus their energy solely on the preservation of natural areas and the welfare of wildlife, Green Cross looks at environmental issues from the perspective of people, working directly with the community, helping them prepare for the issues we face, effectively allowing them to take control of their situation by making them more aware of the situation. They do this on both a local and international level.  

 

When not at Green Cross Australia, I can be found undertaking a tactical and budgeted expedition throughout the country, (having already conquered the west coast and Northern Territory) listening to music, reading or participating in general merriment.  I believe that Children are our future, if we can teach them to respect and take care of the environment and the people and animals within it, I feel that the we have the chance to begin to reverse the damage we have caused to ourselves and the earth so far and look forward to a brighter future.

Kate Cranney
Student and Volunteer for Green Cross

Hello! My name is Kate Cranney and I am a 20 year old student in the later stages of a Bachelor of Law and Science (Environment) at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. After growing up on an organic sheep and cattle property bordering Bendidee National Park in Goondiwindi (Southern Queensland) I have inherited and continue to develop an avid interest in environmental issues.

 

Over the years I have taken great delight in volunteering: from planting trees in Toowoomba to climbing trees for IBISCA canopy scientists in Lamington National Park; from catching squirrel gliders on South Stradbroke Island to field work in the rainforests of Borneo. I am also employed as a scholarship holder at the Department of Natural Resources and Water. I love bushwalking, tree-climbing, running, reading, yoga, drawing and painting.

 

At the Woodford Folk Festival, I heard Mara speak about the work and the possibilities of Green Cross International. Initially, it was the organisation’s positive and proactive belief system that appealed to me; that it recognised the power of values and the potential of youth involvement. Now, after learning more about Green Cross, I am excited to be involved in a group that centres on the global humanitarian reality of climate change, whilst invoking community dialogue and calling upon the contribution of volunteers like myself. 

 

How Kate is helping out:

 

Kate is a key member of the Green Cross Street Team, fundraising and spreading awareness about the work of Green Cross Australia.

Kathryn Gough
Student and Volunteer for Green Cross Australia

Kathryn is currently in her final year of studying a Bachelor of Creative Industries at Queensland University of Technology.  She is majoring in Communication Design and sub-majoring in Computational Arts.

 

Her interests lie in the areas of web-design, interaction design and social networking and enjoys freelance web and graphic design. She is passionate about environmental awareness and social justice and hopes to find ways to use technology to aid in education and improvement in these areas.

 

Kathryn is also the Web Developer for the Queensland University of Technology Chapter of Golden Key International Honour Society in 2009.

How Kathryn is helping out:

Kathryn is the Online and IT Assistant, currently involved in the development of the Extreme Weather Heroes web campaign.  Her primarly roles have been content management, research, troubleshooting and developing various aspects of the website.

Sara Johnston
Student and Volunteer for Green Cross

Sara is based in Sydney and is currently studying Renewable Energy Engineering at UNSW.

 

She has previously studied Social Science (Policy and Research).

 

She is passionate about environmental issues, particularly the impact of climate change and the global development of sustainable practices.

 

She feels strongly about the need for youth engagement in social and environmental policy development.

 

How Sara is helping out: 

 

Sara will help to summarise high level research documents which will be used to brief the Citizen's Panel for The People's Assembly.  

Hugh Jorgensen
Student and Green Cross Volunteer

Hi There! My name is Hugh Jorgensen and I'm presently 21 years old and completing a dual degree at the University of Queensland in Economics and International Relations – fields that will be heavily impacted by Climate Change.

Australia has one of the highest rates of youth volunteering in the world and it's important that we continue to work on improving the world that we and future generations will inherit. The bulk of my time has been occupied with developing the ‘Model United Nations’ concept in Australia. With a group of fellow students I assisted in coordinating the inaugural Brisbane Model United Nations and I'm presently co-coordinating the Asia Pacific Model United Nations Conference, to be held in Brisbane from July 12-19, 2009. The latter event will attract up to 600 participants from around the world and will address a range of issues related to Climate Change such as the spread of global disease, bringing renewable energy to developing countries and addressing the problem of Climate Refugees in the South Pacific.  As part of securing hosting rights for AMUNC, we were fortunate to receive endorsements from Kevin Rudd, Lord Mayor Campbell Newman and of course, GCA CEO - Mara Bun.

Having attended the Earth Dialogues conference in Brisbane two years ago, I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to work with Green Cross Australia. I believe GCA is an organisation that addresses one of the world’s greatest challenges with a pragmatic and dynamic approach while still emphasizing the significance of the issue at hand.  Presently undertaking a student exchange to Italy, it will be my great pleasure to deliver the final report from the National Peoples Assembly on Climate Refugees to the 14th Annual Conference of Parties, hosted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Poznan, Poland.

When I'm not writing overly long biographies I also love to watch Rugby, eat chocolate mousse, read newspapers on Brisbane’s 4rph and read books.

Leanne McKnoulty
Director, SHaM Communications and Volunteer for Green Cross

Leanne's background in medical imaging led to an opportunity to write for an international diagnostic imaging journal (Diagnostic Imaging Magazine), reporting on medical meetings in Europe and the United States, as well as covering medical imaging news at the Sydney Olympics 2000. Each month, her research article reviews are featured at Auntminnie.com, a US-based medical imaging website. Previous medical imaging publications, Ultrasound Review and Radiology Review were incorporated into AuntMinnie.com, in 2002.

 

Leanne's recent contracts include designing and writing marketing and communication documents for the Sustainable Home Brisbane – an initiative of Australian Green Development Forum and Natural Lifestyle Homes – a Brisbane-based building company. Both organisations are dedicated to the implementation of sustainable building practices. This work includes the production of website conception, content and design, monthly newsletters, signage, media releases, brochures, posters; the development of a marketing strategy and interpretative materials; and media liaison.

Currently Leanne is contracted to the Brisbane City Council CitySmart Advisory Group. In this role she facilitates continuing dialogue and between the external advisory group and Council and manages knowledge, information and meetings under the direction of Taskforce Chair - Jim McKnoulty, Chairman of Conics.

 

Leanne has a special interest in editing web content to maximise readability and comprehension, as well as reorganising web site navigation to improve finding information. Her corporate and medical background enables her to transform complex scientific information into easy-to-read content appropriate to the anticipated audience. She has created a variety of websites for a number of clients who require simple, cost-effective websites they can easily update themselves.

 

How Leanne is helping out: 

Leanne will coordinate the process by which a group of 14 ordinary citizens will be selected as the 'Citizen's Panel' for The People's Assembly

 

Hanako Mori
Student and Green Cross Australia Volunteer

Hello!! My name is Hanako Mori. I am a 21 year old Japanese student, studying International Finance at my University. Now I have got temporary withdrawal from school for 1 year and have been studying English in Brisbane, Australia for 6 months.

At the beginning in Australia, it was hard for me even to order a bottle of water at a restaurant. But now, I am enjoying my life in Brisbane and I like friendly people, beautiful oceans in Australia and culture of them very much!!!!!

I applied for an Internship with Green Cross Australia because I am interested in the environmental issues all over the world, and I was looking for the workplace which was working for the environment. This is a great opportunity to work for Green Cross Australia, not only just for my English skills, but I have had opportunities to realize that what is happening around us and how important to take action right now.

Unfortunately I have only two months left in Brisbane, however, I am sure that I will enjoy the rest of my days here and I am very proud that I continue working for Green Cross Australia as a volunteer.

 

I am also looking forward to spending hot summer Christmas!!!!

 

How Hanako is helping out:

Hanako is working on the enormous project of translating the Green Cross Japan Environmental Diary for primary school students, so that Australian students may have the opportunity to participate in this ongoing journey of 'green discovery' and change their habits and values!

 

Sarah Onave
French student and Volunteer for Green Cross Australia

Sarah Onave is a French student studying a trilingual (French, Spanish and Russian) law degree in Grenoble, France and has come to Australia to do a work placement with Green Cross Australia.

 

Sarah has a great interest in nature, ecology and environmental protection and enjoys art, literature, cinema, music and painting, swimming, bike riding and dancing.

 

She has worked in a courtroom and for an auctioneer and is a private tutor of English and Spanish at home in France. She loves being in Australia and is looking forward to hugging a koala.

 

How Sarah is helping out:

 

Sarah is currently researching a range of international policies about climate refugess and is working to support the law reform aspects of the National People's Assembly.

 

 

Sarah Ripper
Student and Volunteer for Green Cross

Sarah is currently in second year at Griffith University studying a Bachelor of Communication majoring in International Relations and Screen Production.

Sarah is passionate about the environment and social justice.

She has an interest in the implications of climate change and the need to engage with communities to adapt, preserve and progress towards a sustainable and more equitable future!

 

How Sarah is helping out:

 

Sarah is a key member of the Green Cross Street Team, fundraising and spreading awareness about the work of Green Cross Australia.

Anton Szilasi
Student and Volunteer for Green Cross

I have had an interest in Sustainability and 3rd world development since I was 13. As I was home schooled, I have had the time to pursue this interest. When I was 15, I commenced a Diploma of Renewable energy systems at TAFE. After graduating when I was 16; I had an urge to undertake some volunteer work in the developing world.

 

Unfortunately I was too young and no aid organisation would accept me. I didn't want to give up; so consequently I started my own aid project. The project involved installing solar panels to ensure a constant and reliable power supply to a remote charitable medical clinic in rural India. I managed to raise $3000 from generous sponsors for the project and in November of 2006 I flew to India! By December 2006 the project was a success and was complete.

 

While at the clinic I saw the bigger picture of development work; Its not about infrastructure its about education. Consequently while I was in India. I started another aid project involving the clinic and a nutrition education film which I financed. This project is now fully integrated into and financially supported by Engineers Without Borders Australia.

 

Since February of 2007 I have been studying Engineering. Firstly I studied Civil Engineering at QUT however as of 2008 I have changed to Environmental Engineering at UQ.

 

In late 2007 I volunteered for Engineers Without Borders and Brisbane City Council. During this project I produced a guide for home owners to undertake their own energy audits. The project is now complete and Brisbane City Council distributes the manual upon request to home owners.

 

My goal in life is to address the biggest two challenges which humanity has ever faced: Poverty and environmental degradation. My motto is life is what you make it!!

Karen Speirs
Volunteer PA and Volunteer Coordinator

Karen has worked with Bremer TAFE coordinating the English language program and is a English Language teacher (delivering the AMEP and LLNP English language programs to migrants).

 

She has also been volunteering on a regular basis at the Relaxation Centre of Queensland, assisting them in the running of their bookshop.

 

Karen has a soft spot for the environment and enjoys going out to dinner with her friends and family, as well seeing shows at QPAC with her wonderful husband Bob.

 

 

How Karen is helping out:

 

Karen keeps the Green Cross Australia office running, and has been solely responsible for the logistical requirements of the National People's Assembly. She is also enjoying coordinating the many fabulous volunteers that work with Green Cross.

Tweet Gainsborough-Waring
Volunteer Writer for Green Cross Australia

Tweet Gainsborough-Waring is a Cape Town based freelance journalist with a passion for animals and the outdoors.

 

Before going freelance she worked on various newspapers in Cape Town from community based publications to regional. She has covered many subjects but is drawn towards environmental issues, wine, travel, health and fitness.

 

In recent years she has been based offshore in Malaysia, Borneo and most recently Australia. She has continued to freelance but has also taken the opportunity of getting down and sometimes dirty with the locals in various volunteer positions.

 

Theses included working with animals in Malaysia and Borneo, working with mentally and physically handicapped children and most recently with environmental organisations in Australia.

Ulrike Kachel
PhD Candidate and Volunteer for Green Cross Australia

Ulrike is currently undertaking her PhD at Griffith University, Gold Coast campus, in which she combines her information technology (IT) and tourism skills with her interest in climate change.

 

In her research she focuses on travellers’ online discussions on climate change and how this influences on their travel experiences.

 

Ulrike has a strong background in the IT and tourism industry. Her skills include consultancy for e-commerce strategies, business analysis for information technology and Internet strategies, software design and development, as well as marketing and communications. In tourism, Ulrike has diverse experiences in Internet-based destination marketing, event management and public relations.