The Secretariat
Chris Orchard
Co-Secretary General
Chris has participated in the last three AMUNCs, winning both Diplomacy and Best Delegate awards. In 2011 Chris served on the AMUNC secretariat as Under-Secretary General for delegate relations, he has been involved in various other MUNs including La MUN, VicMUN and SydMUN 2011. He is a former Vice-President of the La Trobe International Relations Association (LIRA) and has been instrumental in La Trobe University’s rise to MUN prominence in Victoria.
Chris is an active on campus student who completed his Bachelor of Arts in 2011 with a double major in Politics and Anthropology; he is currently enrolled in Politics and International Relations honours at La Trobe University, his thesis topic is Ecosocialism. He is well placed to lead the charge in hosting Melbourne’s first AMUNC in over 10 years.
Caspar Roxburgh
Co-Secretary General
Caspar first started going to MUNs in 2010 where he swept up the diplomacy award in AMUNC’s UNDP while representing Ghana. Since then he has dedicated himself to the La Trobe International Relations Association (LIRA) where he served as Vice-President for 9 months. Caspar has just completed his fourth year in a bachelor of Agricultural Science and International Development. He thinks of himself as living proof that science students (not just Law and Humanities students) can reach the top of AMUNC. Caspar loves to travel, having completed an exchange to California during his degree.
He is an avid volunteer, previously serving as the Coordinator of the Melbourne-based Asylum Seeker Resource Centre’s Community Speakers program. Caspar’s primary goal for AMUNC2012 is to make it the most accessible and fun Model UN ever held. His passion for the performing arts has led to a strong desire for live performance at the conference. In his spare time Caspar can be found reading Amartya Senn’s treatise on development or watching trashy 1990s tv shows. He should never be taken too seriously.
Nicholas Zull
Deputy Secretary General / Co-Under Secretary General (Socials)
Nicholas “First World Problems” Zull has built a reputation for himself as a game changer, a maverick if you will. At the tender age of four, answering the call of the British Empire, Nicholas was sent to the isle of Hong Kong to live for three years and oversee the transfer of power from Britain to the People’s Republic of China. Some years later Nick was called to duty in Bahrain, where teenage angst was at an all-time low. Having completed his objective within a year, Nick returned to Melbourne in order to complete his high school career with an International Baccalaureate
The rise and rise of Nicholas Zull will surely be chronicled in the ditties of minstrels the county over as he has moved from strength to strength from 2010 onwards; as a delegate at AMUNC 2011, as publicity officer in the La Trobe International Relations Association (LIRA), and as the Public Relations Manager for Aardvarks Anonymous Pty Ltd, a Melbourne-based production company specialising in film, comedy, and theatre. Now Nicholas is embracing his most challenging and rewarding task to date, AMUNC 2012. Nick’s involvement has heralded the drastic restructuring of the Social Events framework, thematically integrating the socials with the rest of AMUNC and scandalising the media.
Gary Dickson
Under Secretary General (Communication, Publicity & Registration)
Gary is a 3rd year Arts student, double majoring History and Spanish. He is the Founder / Secretary of La Sociedad, La Trobe University’s Spanish / Latin American language club and the Model UN Officer of the La Trobe International Relations Association (LIRA). Outside of university, he works as the barista and on the cellar door of a Yarra Valley winery, and spent the summer of 2010-11 putting his Spanish skills to good use in southern Peru as a volunteer teacher.
Gary has only recently entered the Model UN world, having finally given in to years of nagging by Raphael Haycraft and attending AMUNC2011, representing the Russian Federation in the 3GA. A large amount of beer caused him to join the 2012 host team before having his first committee session. He has since attended SydMUN 2011, where he was given the opportunity, as the representative of Fox News, to attack absolutely everybody unashamedly, including implying the Secretary-General enjoys donkey shows, promising the extinction of Pakistan, and predicting a landslide Bachmann victory in 2012. Relishing any opportunity to be a self-centred jerk, his commitment to Model UN grew.
He is the USG Communication, a portfolio wherein he manages internal administration of the secretariat, built and maintains the AMUNC2012 website, and is in charge of the conference’s Twitter / Facebook presence. He is also running delegate registration. During the conference, he will be directing the International Press Gallery (good luck to them).
Raphael Haycraft
Under Secretary General (Committees)
Raphael Haycraft holds the portfolio of Under Secretary General of Committees at AMUNC 2012. In this role Raphael has brought to delegates of AMUNC 2012 committees that are more diverse, but also smaller than previous AMUNC conferences, giving each delegate a greater opportunity to participate and engage in their topics.
Raphael is in his sixth year of studies at La Trobe University, having completed a Diploma in Languages: Spanish and is currently in his final year of a Bachelor of International Relations and Bachelor of Laws double degree. He has been active in a number of University associations including being a founding member and former Vice-President of the La Trobe International Relations Association (LIRA). He is is a veteran MUNner, having attended the previous three AMUNC conferences, as a delegate in 2009 and a director in 2010/11. As a delegate Raphael has won diplomacy awards at AMUNC 2009 and WorldMUN 2010.
Jaz Dawson
Deputy (Committees)
Jaz Dawson is currently undertaking a Bachelors of International Relations. She is also studying Burmese language and currently doing so on the Thai-Burmese border. Jaz is happily native to both La Trobe University and the city of Melbourne. Jaz is working in the Committees Portfolio as a researcher and report writer to prepare for the vast array of topics to be debated during AMUNC 2012. She is looking forward to seeing delegates knowledgeably and fervently debate the excellent issues and topics raised at the upcoming AMUNC 2012.
Timothy “The Cobb / Corks” Corcoran
Co-Under Secretary General (Socials)
Playing Silent Bob to Nick Zull’s Jay, Penfold to his Dangermouse, and Hugo to his Victor, Tim “the Cobb/Corks” Corcoran is the other guy at the helm of AMUNC 2012’s Social Events. He is well equipped for such a maritime metaphor, having been a pirate of some repute for many a year, culminating in a stint at AMUNC 2010 as 2nd mate of the unofficial La Trobe Pirate Crew.
“The Cobb” (Who coined this nickname? Not I, said “the Cobb”) is currently wondering what to do next, having just completed a Bachelor of International Relations, and having also just returned from a semester in Argentina. By the time AMUNC2012 has rolled around he will hopefully have decided upon something and be part-way through it. We’ll see.
The Cobb’s first AMUNC was in Sydney in 2010, where he probably enjoyed the social events a wee bit too much, so when La Trobe put its hand up for AMUNC2012, he put his own hand up to steer the Social Events program without much hesitation. Being in Argentina presented a few challenges, mostly involving early morning skype meetings, but he is back in the merry old land of Aus, and will be working with Mr Zull to craft a solid week of socialising building on the grand old AMUNC tradition of bugger-all sleep and way too many good times.
He’s hoping to leave his own piratical bearded beer-loving mark on proceedings, and if it all works out AMUNC2012 will have the best-stocked beer fridge of any Model UN anywhere.
Amy Bosch
Deputy (Socials)
This is Amy’s fifth AMUNC, and she is very excited to finally host it in her home city. She caught the AMUNC ‘bug’ in her first year at university (and the post AMUNC flu every time) and has never looked back. Amy has a science degree and a Grad. Dip. Ed, and now teaches high school science, maths and psychology. She finds MUNing a welcome change of pace, last year trading VCE students for 1st and 2nd year university students when she directed UNESCO. She is enjoying being part of the secretariat, and hopes you thoroughly enjoy your AMUNC 2012 Melbourne experience.
Tamara Preuss
Under Secretary General (Delegate Affairs)
Tamara Preuss is a third year Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Relations student at La Trobe University. This is her second AMUNC and she is very excited to be a part of the Secretariat. Like many of the Secretariat, Tamara has held an executive position in the La Trobe International Relations Association (LIRA). Tamara is also studying a Diploma of French and wishes to undertake an exchange to France in 2013. Tamara is responsible for all aspects of delegate affairs such as registration, liaising with delegations and generally ensuring that all delegates have a great AMUNC experience.
Nicholas Metherall
Under Secretary General (International Links & Promotion)
Responsibilities:
- International Promotions and Marketing
- Establishing links with prospective overseas delegations
- Facilitating international participation
- Recording and Database
Nick is currently in his final year enrolled in International Relations. Also undertaking a Diploma of Language (Indonesian), Nick has developed a deep interest in the Asia-Pacific region. Beginning his studies at La Trobe in 2008, Nick played soccer for La Trobe in his first year. Subsequently, Nick has been involved with the Indonesian and Malaysian student associations as well as LIRA. Outside of campus Nick has volunteered with a number of NGOs including Fairtrade Australia and New Zealand (FTAANZ). From his experience within the ASEAN Regional Forum Committee at AMUNC 2010 and from his work as a research assistant at Asia-Link, Nick recognises the importance of international connections and friendships within the Asia-Pacific region. Nick will be undertaking his second semester of student exchange in Indonesia from September 2011.
Simon Huang
Deputy Under Secretary General (International Links & Promotion)
Simon is a current La Trobe University postgraduate student who commenced study in double Master’s degree of International Relations/International Business in 2011. He finished his Bachelor of Business (Marketing) at La Trobe University in 2010. When he was an undergraduate student, he participated in student exchange program at Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in 2010 and received scholarship.
He actively involved around campus having been a member of LIRA for the entirety of his undergraduate degree. He was also involved in many voluntary works at La Trobe University Center for China Studies (CCS), and worked with Faculty of Health Science China Health Program as an interpreter since November 2010. In 2011, he was a delegate for La Trobe University to AMUNC 2011 in Canberra. Recently, he also represented La Trobe University to attend the 1st Victoria Chinese Debating Open 2011 (VCDO) and was awarded as single-game best debater.
Additionally, he is a big fan of sports. He was a member of La Trobe Swimming Club in 2010 and Indoor soccer Club in 2011.
Sheila Widya Nanda
Asia-Pacific Liaison Officer (Indonesia)
Sheila completed her Bachelor of Economics at the Universityof Indonesia in September 2010 and is currently working as a business analyst. While she was in her 3rd year of university, she attended her first MUN which was AMUNC2009 in Brisbane, where she was representing India in the UNFCCC COP-15. She has since attended AMUNC2010 in Sydney and WorldMUN 2011 in Singapore. While she was at AMUNC2009 and AMUNC2010, she stumbled upon some La Trobians, who then turned out to be the ones taking part in the AMUNC2012 secretariat. Having the opportunity to work together and to have a fun reunion with her La Trobe friends, also meeting new people at AMUNC2012, were some of the main reasons why she immediately accepted the offer to take up a role at AMUNC2012 as the Asia-Pacific Liaison Officer for Indonesia. Within this role, Sheila was responsible for engaging with key universities and student groups in Indonesia to raise awareness about the conference and encourage participation of students from Indonesia.
Syarifah Nor Amirah
Host Team (International Links & Promotion)
Syarifah Nor Amirah Syed Shamsudin began her degree in International Relations at La Trobe in 2010. As an international student from Malaysia, Syarifah has since been deeply engaged in the Malaysian Students’ Association, the Islamic Student Association of La Trobe, and is currently serving as the Liaison Director of the Malaysian Students’ Council of Victoria (MASCA Vic). Syarifah enjoys creative pursuits and has founded a not-for-profit arts and crafts school for children.
Since August 2011, Syarifah has contributed her deep contextual understanding, cultural links and networks within ASEAN to the international team of AMUNC2012. While working on the international team for AMUNC2012, Syarifah will also be working within the organizing committee to host the first ASEAN-Australia Youth Summit in Melbourne on the 28 of July.
In addition to her work in the international links and promotions team, Syarifah will also be available during the conference to assist Muslim students in finding halal options and prayer facilities.
Tyler Cameron
Under Secretary General (Sustainability)
Tyler Cameron has just completed his Bachelor of International Relations at La Trobe University and is now undertaking his honours. Born in Kerang, country Victoria, Tyler first got into international affairs when he was 14 and listening to punk music from the likes of the Dead Kennedy’s, The Clash, NOFX and Anti-Flag. The social issues that this music spoke about is eventually what led to Tyler choosing to do international relations and the relaxed atmosphere of La Trobe University lured him in. His main areas of interest are in global environmental politics, animal ethics, and animals in international relations. In 2010, he completed work placement as a research assistant for Professor Dave Griggs, former IPCC climate scientist and current head of the Monash Sustainability Institute at Monash University. This research looked at how human systems are pushing the sustainability boundaries of natural systems and will be presented in a journal and at the Planet Under Pressure conference in March 2012. He is the former President of the La Trobe International Relations Association (LIRA) and still enjoys his music (including punk-rock), ice hockey (massive Boston Bruins fan) and snowboarding. He is also the head delegate for the La Trobe University delegation to WorldMUN 2012, held in Vancouver in March.
Emily Hesline
Under Secretary General (Marketing)
Emily is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts (Politics/Media Studies) at La Trobe University and Certificate IV in Professional Writing and Editing at RMIT. She has a strong interest in International relations and Australian Politics, is an avid world traveller, and her two great loves in life are singer Adele, and MP Joe Hockey.
AMUNC 2012 will be Emily’s third Model United Nations Conference. In 2010, she represented Indonesia on UNICEF, and in Canberra 2011 she wrote for BBC World News in the International Press Gallery.
For the 2011 academic year, Emily was elected Vice President of the La Trobe International Relations Association (LIRA). LIRA is an organisation that aims to provide students with an opportunity to enhance their knowledge on international issues, and become engaged in the university experience through social and academic forums.
Emily is looking forward to the challenge that comes with being a member of the secretariat, and hopes that Melbourne 2012 will be an unforgettable conference for all.
Simon Armstrong
Deputy (Marketing)
Simon is currently undertaking a Bachelor of European Studies at La Trobe University. From water-polo to politics, he has been engaged in a variety of student organizations since his commencement in 2010. Over the 2011 academic year, he has worked alongside fellow secretariat members in LIRA, havingserved as Publicity Officer in the executive for the previous semester. Simon has been captivated by the AMUNC experience since his first attendance last year, representing the Russian Federation in UNESCO. He will be working alongside Emily Hesline as Deputy Under Secretary General for Marketing for AMUNC 2012, assisting in promotion of the spectacular event that is AMUNC.
Tia Spanos
Under Secretary General (Speakers)
Responsibilities:
- Selecting & recruiting keynote speakers
- Engaging speakers with the goals and vision of AMUNC 2012
- Organising & managing the logistics of speakers.
- Hosting speakers at the Conference.
Tia Spanos is currently completing her final year in a Bachelor of International Relations. She aims to continue her education at La Trobe with postgraduate studies in 2012. Tia has been engaged with many facets of La Trobe student life since commencing her studies in 2009. She spent two years on the executive board of the La Trobe International Relations Association (LIRA); as both Social Events Officer and President, respectively. Tia has contributed intermittently to Rabelais, the student paper, as a writer and an interviewee. Tia has a well-acquainted past with AMUNC. She assisted in the promotion of the conference during her time in LIRA and also represented La Trobe University at the 2010 conference in Sydney. Tia ultimately looks at AMUNC 2012 as a way of raising awareness and promoting La Trobe University as a forefront Social Sciences University, Australia-wide. Furthermore, she is eager to promote the city of Melbourne as an intellectual hub, showcasing its plethora of politically and internationally engaged professionals.
Nico Baarlink
Deputy (Speakers)
Responsibilities:
- Attracting and Inviting potential Speakers
- Organisation of Logistical Arrangements
- Liaising and Communicating with Speakers
Nico is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Law and International Relations at La Trobe University and expects to finish by the end of 2013. Since beginning his undergraduate studies in 2008 he has developed a keen interest in the areas of public international law and international political economy. He is presently completing an internship with the Centre for Dialogue at La Trobe University where he is conducting research for the Australia-China Dialogue project. Nico attended AMUNC for the first time in 2011 as a member of the International Law Commission where he became enamoured with the excitement of the MUN experience. He will be serving AMUNC 2012 as Deputy Under Secretary General for Speakers, where he will aid in the organisation of logistical arrangements and communication with speakers for the conference.
Justin Boyd
Under Secretary General (Logistics)
Responsibilities:
- Transportation,
- Committee logistics,
- Generally making things run on-time (we hope), and
- Being the guy you call when you’re in trouble/no one else cares.
Justin began his involvement with MUN’s during his time at La Trobe University, where he completed his BA (Politics) in 2011. He attended AMUNC2011 as the representative of Thailand in ASEAN. He’s currently a Juris Doctor student at The University of Melbourne. As a policy wonk, Justin is interested in domestic and international politics. He is particularly interested in environmental policy and international law. He also (somewhat ashamedly) enjoys the fruits of living in a developed country (i.e. good food, wine, travelling, and more good wine).
James Frechtman
Under Secretary General (Interns)
Horng Yih Loh
Deputy (Interns)
Growing up mainly in Singapore, China and Australia, Horng has attended different Model United Nations throughout his years. Even though he majors in Psychology and Criminology at Monash University, he still holds a deep interest in world affairs! Unlike the usual participation as a delegate in sessions, it is a huge honor for him to be serving as part of the organizing community in AMUNC 2012. Apart from his normal university life, he loves travelling and would very much love to be able to visit all the fantastic places in the world. Aside from interacting and mingling with people from AMUNC 2012 , he will try his very best to make this conference a success and an enjoyable experience for all attendees.
Greg Healy
Under Secretary General (Outreach)
Greg has studied International Relations, Economics and Spanish at La Trobe since 2007, including study in The Netherlands, Sweden and Peru. Having discovered MUNs at UNISCA Amsterdam in 2009, Greg has since taken part as a delegate representing La Trobe University at AMUNC 2010-11 Brisbane and Sydney, and representing Australia at Harvard WorldMUN 2010 in Taiwan. Greg was awarded best delegate at AMUNC 2010, 2011, and Harvard WorldMUN 2010. Greg has been on the secretariat of VicMUN 2010 and La Trobe MUN 2010. Greg was the president of La Trobe’s IR Association (LIRA) in 2009-10, and is a member of the Australian MUN National Coordination Council. Greg volunteers for the UNAA helping run MUN conferences for high school and tertiary students. Greg is the Outreach Officer for AMUNC 2012.