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Meet the current State Representatives

ACT
	Elyse Herrald-Woods went to the Philippines in Intake 15 where she worked as an Information Project Officer with the Information, Communication and Advocacy team at MASIPAG, a farmer's advocacy and sustainable/organic agriculture NGO. In her role with MASIPAG, Elyse was involved with the evaluation and development of education and advocacy materials relating to the various social, cultural, environmental and health impacts of the genetic modification of rice varieties in the Philippines. She also participated in the development and implementation of training programs for network members to strengthen MASIPAGs position in sustainable agricultural practice and farmer's rights. Elyse returned to Australia in February 2007 and is now working at the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage & the Arts (DEWHA).		Pierre Johannessen went to Bangladesh in Intake 20, where he worked with Habitat for Humanity to develop project management and fundraising techniques for both disaster response and community development programs.  Habitat for Humanity seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.  In Bangladesh, HFH builds culturally-appropriate, flood and cyclone-resistant homes for communities stuck in the cycle of poverty.  Pierre is currently a policy advisor for ACT Senator Gary Humphries, as well as the Director of his own small NGO.
NSW
	Liz Cameron-Smith went to China in Intake 21 where she worked on an HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Program funded by The Global Fund. The program aimed to build the capacity and skills of 350 grassroots organisations working in HIV prevention and control across China. Liz developed a system of assessing and monitoring the capacity of these organisations, and contributed to the training and development of NGO leaders and staff. She returned to Australia in January 2009 and is the Co-Founder and CEO of Virtual Volunteers.		Bella Vincent joined the AYAD Program in Intake 8 as a Community Theatre Advisor for Tonga Trust, a community development NGO in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Using performance and narrative as a communication for development tool, Bella assisted young people to produce village plays on development priorities, including disaster preparedness and human rights. In 2004, she undertook a Development Internship with the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership, a Cairns-based think tank directed by Noel Pearson. She went on to work there for 2 years as Senior Project Officer, undertaking research and community engagement initiatives linked to the welfare reform trials. Bella is now a Senior Analyst in social policy and strategy for NSW Government.
NT
	Kylee St George is a returned AYAD from Intake 20 where she undertook an assignment in Alotau, Milne Bay Province Papua New Guinea as a Nurse Educator for St Barnabas School of Nursing. During her assignment Kylee assisted with a curriculum review and helped establish a clinical practice laboratory and clinical resource manual for the School. This facilitated the introduction of a practical based learning model for the development of clinical skills. Kylee is now working as a Lecturer in Health Sciences for a University as well as a Clinical Manager for an independent organisation that works with remote indigenous communities of the Northern Territory to provide health care services.		Shenagh Gamble went to the Philippines in Intake 19 implementing sustainable waste strategies with Benguet State University in La Trinidad. Shenagh was working with the university’s “Eco-Waste Team” to improve waste collection infrastructure at the university, to develop and deliver waste education campaigns, and to engage students in stakeholder consultation processes. Since returning to Australia in July 2008, Shenagh has moved to the Northern Territory to work as Sustainability Programs Coordinator for the Local Government Association of the NT. Shenagh is also undertaking a Development Internship with Australian based organisation “Food Water Shelter”, who builds and run eco-friendly children's villages with education, social and health facilities for children in developing countries.
QLD
	Michael Henry spent one year in Nuku'alofa, Tonga as a Network and Database Administrator for the Ministry of Labour, Commerce, and Industries. The Ministry is responsible for company registration and issuing of licenses for trade, import and export. Michael was part of Intake 17 which was "in country" from September 2006 to September 2007 and his biggest contribution during this time was to run IT training sessions for the IT staff of the various government ministries. Upon his return to Australia Michael moved to Brisbane where he is currently studying for a Bachelor of Aviation degree.		Nicolette Lowe went to Vanuatu in Intake 15 as a Youth Program Developer for Youth Challenge International. Her role was to assist her local counterpart to identify and develop opportunities for young volunteers within the organisation to find employment and training. Since returning from Vanuatu in March 2007, Nic has undertaken a Development Internship with the Australian Red Cross in Brisbane which led to her securing a permanent position with the organisation as a Senior Youth Development Coordinator, working with young people experiencing homelessness in the inner city.
SA
	Paula Sanchez went to Vietnam in Intake 18 working as a Food & Beverage Services Trainer at the Hanoi Tourism College. The college provides vocational training in hospitality and tourism. In her role she supported local teaching staff with practical skills training and developed elements of the school curriculum. Since returning to Australia in January 2008 Paula has held the position of Exhibition Coordinator with Adelaide Expo Hire.		Rebecca Johns went to Vanuatu in Intake 15 as a Re-Design Coordinator, working on the re-design of displays for the Vanuatu National Cultural Museum. She was involved in managing small-scale construction works within the museum building, co-ordinating educational activities at the museum, as well as promotional and fundraising work for the re-fit project and the museum itself.Since returning to Australia in 2007 Rebecca has undertaken her Masters in Management for Cultural Organisations at the University of South Australia and is working as the Executive Officer for Southern Youth Theatre Ensemble.
TAS
	Jess Feehely went to Vanuatu in Intake 16 as Legal Advisor for the Wantok Environment Centre (WTEC). WTEC is a national non-government organisation established to promote the care and protection of Vanuatu’s natural environment. Jess worked primarily on a project to extend a regional ban on taking the threatened Coconut Crab. The project involved community consultation and workshops, liaising with various government agencies to give effect to the ban and training local leaders to monitor and report breaches. Jess returned to Australia in June 2007 and recommenced her role as a lawyer with the Environmental Defenders Office in Hobart.
VIC
	Jen Branscombe went to Vietnam in Intake 18 as an Education and Communications Project Officer with UNESCO. She worked with the Vietnam Journalist’s Association on ethics training programs for journalists and with the minority Tai community on programs to digitise and preserve their language. She returned to Australia in 2008 and is now completing her Masters in Applied Communications and working as a Community Engagement Officer with migrant communities and people experiencing homelessness.		Toby Russo went to Hanoi, Vietnam in intake 18 where he worked as a Tourism Lecturer at Hanoi Open University. In his role Toby worked with local counterparts to develop curricula, course materials and deliver classes on a range of topics, including tourism, marketing, hospitality and career development. In addition to his work at the university he also had the privilege of working on projects with ethnic minority communities in Sapa, focusing on their capacity to manage tourism activity at a local level. Inspired by his Vietnam experience in the education sector, Toby returned to Melbourne in early 2008 to commence a two year post-grad teaching course and also works part-time as a consultant.
WA
	Cho Lamb went to the Philippines in Intake 14 as a Waterwatch Facilitator for BANGON, a local non-government organisation. During her assignment, Cho was also involved in developing and undertaking a water quality monitoring program with provincial government officers and working with students to investigate the impacts of various land uses on water quality. Cho returned to Australia in October 2006 and is currently working as an Environmental Officer for the Department of Water in Western Australia.		Sandra McKenzie went to Sri Lanka in Intake 11 where she worked with the IUCN (World Conservation Union) as a Biodiversity and Development Policy Officer. After returning from Sri Lanka in 2005, Sandra worked for the Indigenous Land Corporation as a Capacity Development Coordinator to provide training in corporate governance and property management planning for indigenous communities. Sandra currently works for the Western Australian Department of Water as a Capacity Building Project Manager where she coordinates and provides training to local governments and developers in water and land use management.