Executive
President & VIC Convener – JASON BALL
Jason is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne, 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. This provoked him to read widely on the debate surrounding science and religion, and become outspoken on social justice and equality related issues. He currently serves on the committee of the Rationalist Society of Australia and has been the President of the University of Melbourne Secular Society (UMSS) since 2008. 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 served on a committee of volunteer organisers for the 2010 Global Atheist Convention in Melbourne, co-sponsored by the Atheist Foundation of Australia and Atheist Alliance International.
jasonball@freethoughtalliance.org.au | 0407781406
General Secretary & SA Convener – SCOTT SHARRAD
Scott is undertaking 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 currently serves 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.
scottsharrad@freethoughtalliance.org.au | 0403835058
ACT Convener – ALEX HOLMES
Alex is currently undertaking a double degree of Science/Arts majoring in Psychology and Anthropology at the Australian National University. One half of the founding members of the ANU League of Extraordinary Atheists, Alex’s involvement in atheism, secularism et al. comes from attending Trinity Christian School for 6 years (4-10), reading widely, listening to Muse, and watching Anime. He has been the President of the ANU League of Extraordinary Atheists since its inception in 2009.
act@freethoughtalliance.org.au | 0423878634
NSW Convener – CHARO SERVENTY
Charo is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Psychology at the University of Wollongong. His interest in science, secularism and skepticism started early on at University when he decided he had never really explored religion or the idea that there might actually be a god. Attempts to explore different religions, attend churches, read the bible and challenge his ideas anticlimactically led to being convinced there was little if anything to religion. Ironically the “spiritual journey” led to Charo learning more about atheism, skepticism and philosophy, interests that have remained with him ever since. Charo is currently the President of the Wollongong University Secular Society (WUSS).
nsw@freethoughtalliance.org.au | 0431844539
QLD Convener – JONATHAN MEDDINGS
Jonathan is currently undertaking Medical Laboratory Science Honours at James Cook University in Townsville. His research focuses on methods of detecting ranavirus in fresh water turtles. He is the President of the James Cook University Society for Atheist Philosophy (SOAP) and is the Head Coach for the North Queensland Fencing Association (NQFA). He is the author of the blog ‘The Carapace‘ and is also a contributor to the Young Australian Skeptics blog.
qld@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.
tas@freethoughtalliance.org.au | 0404621893
WA Convener – MATT JACOB
Matt is an undergraduate student at the University of Western Australia, studying Economics and International Relations. Motivated by a love of liberty and reason, he is determined to contribute positively to society through his work with the Alliance and other groups. It is a passion for the humanitarian ideal that compels Matt to promote free thought and secular values in Australia. Matt currently serves on the committee of the UWA Atheists and Agnostics Society.
wa@freethoughtalliance.org.au | 0433116506