Executive

To contact any of the executive, please make an enquiry on our Facebook page; a link to which you can find to the right.

President – JASON BALL

Jason completed his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne in 2010, majoring in Political Science. His interest in science and secularism was spurred by his 2005 student exchange trip to the USA where he was situated in the state of Kansas, attending evangelical youth groups and church twice a week. He currently serves on the committee of the Rationalist Society of Australia and was the President of the University of Melbourne Secular Society (UMSS) from 2008 to 2010. He is a regular contributor to the Young Australian Skeptics blog and produced the first season of their official podcast, The Pseudo Scientists. In 2009 he was invited to speak on a student panel at the Center For Inquiry’s World Congress in Washington DC. Jason was a key organiser of the 2010 and 2012 Global Atheist Conventions in Melbourne.

Jason@freethoughtalliance.org.au | 0407781406

General Secretary & SA Convener – SCOTT SHARRAD

Scott recently completed a degree in Music Education at the University of Adelaide. Scott has many interests, one of the main ones being education. It is from this direction that Scott has come to the freethought movement, and he is a particular fan of the ‘new atheists’. He is a key organising member of the Adelaide Atheists, where he has held discussion forums for members with local politicians. He has served as the president of godless, the atheist club at the University of Adelaide. Scott feels that there are no stupid nor wrong questions; if a person is taking time to ask questions then they deserve a respectful and thoughtful answer. It is only by engaging with people in this way that people can learn and better themselves.

Scott@freethoughtalliance.org.au | 0403835058

ACT Convener – FELIX BLOOMFIELD

Felix completed his degree in psychology at the Australian National University in 2011. His major interests are mental health, and secularism. Although he came to conclude atheism was right due to lots of questioning, his motivation for activism on the topic was 5 years of Seven Day Adventist schooling, and watching the special treatment religions get. He is still currently the President of the League of Godlessness, and on the committee for the ACT Skeptics. Felix finds it really weird writing about himself in third person.

Felix@freethoughtalliance.org.au

NSW Convener – JOSEF DAROCZY

Josef@freethoughtalliance.org.au

QLD Convener – JONATHAN MEDDINGS

Jonathan has been the Head Coach of the North Queensland Fencing Academy since it was formed in early 2010. He is currently the Queensland Convener of the Freethought University Alliance in Australia and was a founding member of the Townsville Humanists and Friends. He has a Bachelors Degree in Medical Laboratory Science with Honours from James Cook University (JCU), where he was formerly President of the JCU Society of Atheist Philosophy. His research has focused on reptilian immunology with an emphasis studying freshwater turtles as a sentinel species. Jonathan has been the author of the atheist/skeptical themed blog The Carapace since he began writing it in early 2010

Jonathan@freethoughtalliance.org.au | 0437435091

TAS Convener – JEREMY O’WHEEL

Jeremy is undertaking an Arts/Science double degree at the University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay campus and plans on majoring in Geography, Zoology and Plant Science. He is strongly opposed to all ideological dogma and plans to have “what is your evidence?” tattooed onto his forehead so that he can stop saying it out loud. He plays a lot of sport, including Australian Rules Football, Touch Football and Freestyle Footbag (hacky sack) where he holds a number of world records and is the current Australian Champion in 7 events.

Jeremy@freethoughtalliance.org.au | 0404621893

VIC Convener – PETE DARWIN

Pete completed his Bachelor of Science, Majoring in Zoology/Ecology, at the University of Melbourne (2010), a Masters of Science in Evolution/Genetics at the University of Melbourne and Museum Victoria (2011), and is currently studying his PhD in Evolution/Genetics this year at the University of Melbourne and Museum Victoria. He was born with a debilitating addiction to science and freethought as both his parents were themselves atheist biologists constantly high on reason during his younger years. He is the best looking member of the Imaginary Friends Show podcast, and likes to rant on all things science, religion, philosophy and politics on what he calls his ‘blog’, The Caudal Lure. He has a pet turtle called Oscar, and drinks far too much coffee.

Pete@freethoughtalliance.org.au

WA Convener – MADGE CAREW-HOPKINS

Madge has recently graduated from the University Western Australia, studying Civil Engineering and Computer Science and now spends most of her days sitting under bridges. She collects plastic dinosaurs and feels life isn’t complete without pen-and-paper rpgs (DnD and WoD). She has been involved in the UWA Atheist and Skeptic Society since its inception, serving as President for two years. Madge keeps active by playing roller derby, a full-contact women’s sport played on roller skates. A link to Phil Plait’s debunking of the moon hoaxers led her to discover skepticism and the rest is history.

Madge@freethoughtalliance.org.au | 0400556450