CDU Talloires governance and profiles
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Governance and roles of CDU Talloires members
Chairperson: Matthew Haubrick 
Vice chair: Tim Schmidt
Secretary: Nicole Trevena
International Relations Officer: Kevin Kadirgamar
Treasurer: Sheree Ogden
Executive Officer:Catherine Orme
Executive Officer: Muhammad Salman Quddus
Executive Officer: Benedict Smith
Communications Officer: Anjea Travers
Former foundation members
Tammie Davidson, Leah Galvin, Adrian ‘Red’ Hendry, Bronwyn Pignat, Raffael Veldhuyzen
Staff
Talloires network profiles
Matthew Haubrick
Matt is CDU’s man about town. A founding member of CDU Talloires, Matt is also the Social Network Coordinator for the entire student body at CDU. If you’ve got an idea, take it to Matt and he’ll make it happen!
Matt is studying the Bachelor of Humanitarian and Community Studies.
Matt believes the Talloires network allows for a greater sense of community to be developed here at the university, which will lead to greater student involvement within the wider community. “It also helps us to bridge the gaps between different schools and unite in a common cause, with direction and goals”.
Matt says, “Being a university student should be about being involved in the issues of the day, whether it is through discussion or action and I think the Talloires group will allow for a forum where this can be created."
Tim Schmidt
Tim is studying Behavioural Science and joined Talloires to widen his social network. Tim lives on campus at North Flinders International House and enjoys socialising with other students, whether it is at the uni bar, Beachfront or Berry Springs, he is always happy to be out having fun.
Tim enjoys being Vice Chair of Talloires and is always happy to share his ideas at meetings. He is always willing to liven the meetings up with his witty comments and jokes. When asked what Tim thought about Talloires, all he had to say was, "why do you keep following me around?"
Two quotes made famous by Tim are "I Digg It" (referring to the hilarious incident at the community garden) and "TALLOIRES TALLOIRES TALLOIRES!" Tim is currently single and enjoys short walks on the beach and romantic candle lit dinners.
Nicole Trevena
Nicole is studying a Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts and joined Talloires as a way to meet new people and get involved with what was happening at the uni. She likes Talloires for its ability to initiate social opportunities and is interested in the opportunities for Tallories to expand its role in charity work.
Nicole is the current secretary of Talloires and takes her job very seriously with prompt dispersal of minutes and reminders. When asked to describe Nicole, Tim is quoted as saying, "what can one say about Nicole? One could mention her great beauty, or her vast intellect, or her sense of humour..." Tim ended his quote there because Nicole wouldn't let him say what he really wanted to.
Nicole is looking forward to the future Talloires projects in 2010. When asked what she liked about Talloires, "since joining Talloires I have made a lot of new friends and expanded my network at uni and beyond. Talloires has made my uni experience much more rewarding."
Kevin Kadirgamar
Kevin is the founding member of CDU Talloires and takes an active interest in the business and governance side of the group.
Kevin is a lively contributor to the university and greater Darwin and NT community as well as the global community. He is a member of the Multicultural Youth Council and the United Nations Youth Association of the NT. He also provides the international link to the Talloires Network and Talloires students as a result of being selected to attend the CGI U meeting in New Orleans.
Kevin is currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws at CDU.
As written by Kev on the Talloires blog: “At CDU, we are hoping that this group would function as a steering body to initiate community-based learning at the campus, with guidance and support from the CDU Coordinator of Community Engagement. It would also help facilitate the succession and sustainability of our international student network.”
Kevin is a young leader who stimulates others into action through his optimistic outlook on today's issues. It is thanks to Kevin’s vision that Talloires has evolved into the committed group of students we see today.
Kevin’s last word: "CDU Talloires has the most important ingredient for success: an enthusiastic, committed and fully fired up T.E.A.M – Together Everyone Achieves More!"
Sheree Ogden
Sheree is a relatively new member of CDU Talloires and is currently finding her place within the numerous ideas and projects that have begun.
Sheree is a delightful addition to the group – underneath the sweet exterior lays a passionate person. Sheree’s three main passions are people – particularly the right to equality – the environment and animals. Sheree is hoping to engage these passions through the Talloires group and is thoroughly enjoying the experience so far.
Sheree says, “Darwin is an amazing place! I moved here for the lifestyle, culture, university and the opportunities that the NT has to offer. I am currently studying a Bachelor of Humanitarian and Community Studies. I want to make a difference in the world.”
Sheree is spending her semester break in India and the Talloires team are looking forward to updates.
Catherine is quite obviously the CDU Talloires ‘thinker’. A mind full of possibilities, Catherine began at CDU studying the Certificate IV in Conservation and Land Management. In 2008, she was selected to attend a Youth LEAD program, run through Oz Green which aims to equip young leaders with the skills to develop eco-social projects that address major concerns and forge pathways to sustainable futures. Catherine has since taken up the Bachelor of Environmental Science along with her place in the CDU Talloires team.
Aside from being our chief cartographer, Catherine has been diligently meeting with a Darwin Botanic Gardens team who are aiming to establish a permaculture garden/sustainable house. From this, Catherine has garnered an incubation site for the community gardens, where life can begin… before being transplanted to its new home at the CDU campus.
Catherine has also been tentatively nominated treasurer because she knows all about compounded interest and other finance-y things.
Muhammad Salman Quddus
Salman joins us from Pakistan and is one of the many international students studying at CDU.
Salman arrived in Darwin in 2008 and is settling in for a four year stay whilst working on his PhD in Environmental Science. Salman’s PhD focuses on ecology and more specifically the use of native plants in weed control and developing protocols of rehabilitation for disturbed sites. As part of his project, Salman will be planting over 4000 trees during his stay. During his time in Darwin so far, Salman has enjoyed exploring Kakadu National Park (where his trees will end up) and the local café scene!
Salman says (about Talloires), “I like it because it is becoming a binding force among the students and through that we can engage the community as well."
Salman is looking forward to exploring the Australian countryside as he embarks on a road trip from Darwin to Melbourne to celebrate New Years Eve.
Benedict Smith
Ben thinks Talloires is TOPS! He is currently studying a Bachelor of Environmental Science at CDU after previous escapades as a builder in Queensland.
Ben is a big believer in social responsibility, especially when it comes to the environment! He likes to lead by example with his reusable coffee cup from home, which doubles as a scrap container for his beloved chooks. If you’ve got an apple core - Ben’s got a place for it.
Ben says, “I decided to get involved with Talloires initially because I was interested in getting the Community Garden up and running, which would aid not only the university and its students but the community as a whole.
"I also felt the need to get in touch with others in the university and get involved in positive projects as a way of networking and building relationships.”
Ben is currently the resident Talloires spruiker.
Anjea Travers
Anjea is somewhat of a perpetual student but thinks she has hit the nail on the head with the Bachelor of Humanitarian and Community Studies at CDU.
Anjea is co-leader of the literacy project and also enjoys playing with words for the online promotion of CDU Talloires. As a founding member of CDU Talloires, Anjea has enjoyed watching the group form and take shape and is excited about what the future holds!
Anjea believes: “The encouragement of the members of CDU Talloires allows us to feel pride in our actions and consequently our studies and our time at university – no matter how small the action! It’s really great to have an opportunity to bounce ideas around students from different backgrounds and reach a collective creativity.”
Anjea is looking forward to a semester break gallivanting across the country and experiencing successful worldwide community projects such as the Homeless World Cup.
Tammie Davidson
During her time as a student at CDU in 2008 Tammie was drawn to CDU Talloires through the idea of a community garden. Tammie was instrumental in creating strong community links to organisations such as Carers NT and Foodcare NT.
Tammie initiated and lead the Carers NT project - brightening up the gardens of respite homes.Tammie says (regarding the Carer’s NT project): “It's a great opportunity to help a very worthy organisation, and put some good vibes out into the community.”
Sadly, Tammie has moved on to Townsville and her vital contribution will be missed.
Leah Galvin
Leah is studying nursing at CDU with a bright vision for community gardens. She was the spark that began a flood of ideas regarding a community garden on campus, and as project manager, she keeps that passion flowing! Speaking of passion, Leah also has a recipe for passionfruit wine which the literacy team are especially keen to see produced once the garden is established.
Leah is a critical thinker in the area of environmental sustainability who looks for solutions in the resources that are available. She enriches the Talloires experience by sharing these ideas with the group.
Currently travelling in Thailand, Leah is increasing her practical knowledge base on organic farming methods. CDU Talloires looks forward to Leah’s return and all the fresh ideas that follow! In the words of Leah, “feeling mighty inspired".
Adrian ‘Red’ Hendry
In the words of a fellow Talloires member, “Red knows everything!” Which by no means suggests that Red is an ostentatious know-it-all; he just has an educational answer for almost anything!
Red brings valuable conservation expertise from training Indigenous rangers and working with "hands-on" community projects to the CDU Talloires experience; which makes Red a fairly handy asset in the CDU Talloires knowledge bank.
Red likes to think of his study as a fulfilling hobby as he has been doing it for so long! Starting as a VET student in 2001, Red has stepped his way through each certificate in conservation and land management from I-IV plus the ensuing diploma, and is now studying the Bachelor of Environmental Science at CDU.
Red came to Talloires through an interest in community organisations and volunteering, having been involved with organisations such as the Bush Fire Brigade "down south". Red believes that CDU Talloires provides an opportunity to meet and engage with other students, especially if you’re a part-time student or studying externally. Red is currently taking an active role in the community gardens project.
Red additionally holds the uncanny ability of bringing the amazing tangent discussions of Talloires meetings back on topic or alternatively encouraging the chairperson to do so!
Bronwyn Pignat
Bronwyn is an enthusiastic advocate of environmental sustainability and shared this passion with the CDU Talloires group during her time as a member in 2008.
Bronwyn said, “I am very happy to be a member of Talloires because it gives me the opportunity to learn public relations skills, gathering community support and project managerial skills. The hands-on experience with the organic community garden project is making a positive difference to our society and promotes responsible lifestyles that are in balance with nature.”
Bronwyn spent 2008 being a proactive member of team Talloires and gave quality time to chasing up community links. Browyn's passion for environmental and animal ethics that kept the Talloires teams’ minds open will be missed.
Raffael Veldhuyzen
Once upon a time, Raffael was the CDU Talloires' Public Relations extraordinaire!
Raffy brought her journalism experience to the CDU Talloires table during her time at CDU in 2008. As a founding member of Talloires, Raffy was a smiling face at meeting time that kept the inspiration flowing.
One of Raffy’s favourite pastimes is to dream – she says, “you might think that day dreaming achieves nothing but I beg to differ. So many moments I come out of a daze of a day dream and feel not only inspired but look around and get a sense of immense amazement at all that is possible.” CDU Talloires will miss Raffy's inspired dreams at our meetings and in our projects.
STAFF Linda Cuttriss
Linda is the Coordinator, Community Engagement at CDU.
Linda hosts CDU Talloires and keeps up the links between CDU and the Talloires Network team at Talloires HQ, Washington DC. A passionate advocate for student involvement, Linda has been a driving force in the CDU Talloires group.
As a creator of connections between students, staff and community, Linda is an invaluable presence in the Talloires group. She relishes the opportunity to be in the presence of such an amazing group of students!
Linda is the interface between CDU and the community brokering relationships between staff, students and community organisations. Part of her role is to strengthen community-based learning as part of the student learning experience.