Kim HopperWhat is it that attracted you to yltw? I stumbled across Youth Leading The World through my work at the Arid Lands Environment Centre. I work for the Alice Community Garden with a history in youth work. I was attracted by the fact that an organised group of inspiring people were taking action to motivate social change via the energy, enthusiasm and insight of young people. What are you excited about? I am excited about the participants excitment and the ideas they will come up with to make the world a better place. What have been some highlights for your eco-journey to date? A highlight was learning to build with rubbish and found materials here in Alice Springs. There have been many since then. I meet people every day who are growing food, discovering new ways to use less and up-cycle goods. There are some hugely motivated people doing very good work here in Central Australia, I look forward to the great energy and action plans that the YLTW participants will bring to the community here in Alice.
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Keith GerrardMy name is Keith Gordon Gerrard. I was born in Melbourne but am really a Sydney boy - I have lived here since age 1. I've grown up, been to school and worked on the Northern Beaches my whole life. I finished high school in 2009 and have been studying Physics and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sydney.As I made friendships and explored ideas throughout my life I have found the environment a compelling reason to study what I do and live the way I do. Recently I have also begun to
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Benjamin MaronYouth Leading the World - Southern Highlands 2011
I clearly remember as a child going to visit the coast and exploring the rock pools. So much life and interesting things to see! Some years later, returning to the coast, it started to sink in that the pools didn't seem to be as alive. Numerous years were previously spent on my personal growth and health I felt it was time to take a bigger step. I packed my bags and went to Bendigo to study Outdoor and Environmental education. It was time to feel more connected to the environment. This was a great experience that has opened up a new way of seeing the world and feeling my connection.
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Suthagar KarunanithiBorn and raised in the tropical heaven of Malaysia, Suthagar grew up bush walking and camping in the rainforests of mainland Malaysia. From the age of 8, he has set his life goal to conserve the environment and the wildlife he sees and experienced for the generations to come after him to enjoy.
Upon moving to Australia at the age of 15, he became more aware of the devastation of human impacts on this world, and has since been active in cleaning up the mess left behind.
Today Suthagar shares his time between engaging the youth of Australia to take action on climate change and reducing our impacts on this magnificent world, and cooking up new pet projects for friends and family to embark on at home. Debating over the issues of climate change has taken over majority of his time.
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Ollie LovellOllie Lovell is a bike riding vegan and believes that sustainability starts at home. He is a passionate activist and has worked with The Oaktree Foundation, AYCC, The Hobart Bike Kitchen and with various animal rights organisations. Since mid 2010 he has been independently running a weekly documentary night called "Matters that Matter on Monday" in order to fundraise and promote discussion about issues that matter in our world. He just completed his second year studying a combined Economics and Physics degree at UTas and hopes to end up working in Steady State economic models in future.
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