State Representatives
The AYAD Program has State Representatives who are returned AYADs, work to promote the AYAD Program and development issues to the Australian public, engage RAYADs in activities on a state level and act as a core focus group for continual improvement of the AYAD Program.
State Reps act as a central contact point for RAYAD social events. If you would like to contact your State Rep you can email them at:
Become a State Representative
The AYAD Program calls for nominations in November of each year for the RAYAD State Representatives for the following year.
There are two State Representatives for each state. State Representatives hold their positions for the duration of one year but can choose to run for State Rep more than once.
If you are unable to make the commitment to become a State Rep you can still be an active part of state based activities by working with your local representative. If you are interested in joining the State Team please email your details through to rayad@ayad.com.au.
Meet the current State Representatives
ACT
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Caroline Nordang went
to China
in Intake 12 and worked with Friends of Nature, Beijing (FON). Established in
1992, FON is China’s
first non-government environmental organisation. While there Caroline helped
FON develop their environmental education programs by assisting in evaluating
their volunteer management practices, with regard to volunteer recruitment and
training, support, long term retention and feedback programs. Caroline returned
to Australia
in September 2005 and currently works for the Department of the Environment,
Water, Heritage and the Arts.
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Phoebe Ling went
to China
in Intake 13 and worked for six months at the Heilongjiang Provincial Education
International Exchange Centre (HPEIEC) on its training and recruitment program
for English language teachers. For the second half of her AYAD
assignment, she worked in the City of Melbourne’s
representative office in its sister city Tianjin
and drafted its first English language promotional brochure. Phoebe
returned to Australia
in April 2006 and currently works in the Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet.
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Elyse
Herrald-Woods went to the Philippines
in Intake 15 where she worked as a Project Officer with the Information,
Communication and Advocacy team at MASIPAG (Farmer-Scientist Partnership for
Development). In her role with MASIPAG, Elyse was involved with the evaluation
and development of education and advocacy programs relating to the impacts of
the genetic modification (GM) of rice varieties, in consultation with network
members. 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 currently working for an Australian financial services
company.
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Scott Daniel went
to Vanuatu
in Intake 11 where he worked with the Vanuatu Institute of Technology as a
Science/Maths Trainer and worked closely with teaching staff and other
stakeholders to develop and improve maths and science curriculum resources.
After finishing his AYAD placement in March 2005 he returned to Vanuatu and worked in various education roles
before coming back to Australia
in July 2006. He's currently teaching and studying towards a Masters of
International Education in Sydney.
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Kirsty Blair went
to Tonga
in Intake 11 where she worked with the Ministry of Fisheries in the outer
island group of Hapai as a Small Business Development Officer. In her role she assisted in building further
business practices for the local fishing community as well as building the
foundations for a sustainable ice making business in the outer islands. Kirsty returned to Australia in
March 2005 and now works for Boeing Australia Limited as a National
Subcontracts Manager. |
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Nicolette Lowe went
to Vanuatu in Intake 15 as a
Youth Program Developer for Youth Challenge International – Vanuatu.
Nicolette worked with a local counterpart in Vanuatu to develop community based
projects for Youth Challenge’s intense leadership development program. Since
returning to Australian in March 2007 Nicolette has undergone a Development
Internship with the Australian Red Cross and now works full time for them as a Senior Youth Development Officer.
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| SA |
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Daryl McMahon went
to Laos
in Intake 11 as a Rugby Development Officer with the Lao Rugby Federation.
Daryl's assignment saw him train new coaches and players, implement a rugby
program and assist the Lao Rugby Union in developing a plan for the future.
Daryl continued in this role through the Volunteering for International
Development from Australia (VIDA) Program before returning to Australia in
December 2006. Daryl is now the Business Development Manager for Austraining
International. |
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Melissa Edgley was
an Intake 3 AYAD to Vietnam.
Her assignment as the Vietnam Australia Business Council (VABC) Coordinator saw
her investigating legal options and developing linkages between Vietnamese and
Australian organisations to support stronger engagement and trade. While her
assignment didn’t pan out entirely as expected Melissa says her time with the
VABC was both challenging and rewarding and resulted in her seeking a change in
career. Since returning to Australia,
Melissa has pursued a career in international development, working as a Project
Manager and Consultant on a range of international development projects. Her
current role with KBR, a leading international engineering organisation, is as
a Project Manager on a variety of infrastructure development projects
throughout the Asia-Pacific region. |
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Colin Chan went to
Tonga
in Intake 15 where he worked as a Computer Analyst for the Tongan Ministry of
Finance. He was involved in implementing the new financial system module and
linking other ministries into the Ministry of Finances Information System
backbone. In addition to these projects provided training for staff and local
counterparts. Colin returned to Australia
in March 2007 and is now a Business Systems Support Team Leader for AXA. |
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William Underwood
went to Vietnam in Intake 15 where he worked with the Cuu Long Delta
Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project as an Assistant Information,
Education and Communication Advisor. His role involved assisting
counterpart staff with the production of various materials for the
purposes of hygiene education, and promoting the project’s school
education program. Will returned to Australia in October 2006 and is
currently undertaking a Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of
Tasmania and working as an International Humanitarian Law Officer with
the Australian Red Cross. |
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Jessica Perrin went to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam in Intake 15
where she worked as Child Sponsorship Manager for 15 May School. The school
acts as a live-in shelter for disadvantaged children and provides free
schooling and vocational training to 250 children living in Ho Chi Minh City. Jessica returned to Australia in
March 2007 and now works as the Communications Officer for CARE Australia. |
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Michael D’Rosario went
to Vietnam in Intake 13 and
worked at the Can Tho University, School
of Economics and Business
as a Research Officer in Business Development. While in Vietnam he also
worked in the Mekong Delta region assisting small and medium sized enterprises
in a capacity building exercise. Michael returned to Australia
in October 2005 and is currently a Lecturer for the School
of Accounting, Economics & Finance
at Deakin University. |
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| WA |
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Luke Watson went to Nepal in
Intake 10 as a National Cricket Coaching Development Officer for the
Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). Luke coached high school cricket
teams and produced a national youth development plan including training
qualified cricket coaches. Luke returned to Australia in October 2004
and is now a teacher and cricket high performance coach at Christ
Church Grammar School in Perth |
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