Committee 2008-09
Committee Members
President - Murray Woodford
Murray is originally from Sydney and was an ALT in Muroto City, Kochi Prefecture from 1999-2002. He enjoyed working for the city Board of Education and taught at sixteen primary and junior high schools. He was quite heavily involved with the Muroto - Port Lincoln Friendship Committee and helped to organise the annual trips of Japanese students to Australia as well and the visit of Australians to Japan. He was also President of the Australian AJET group.
Since moving to Canberra as an Australian Public Service graduate he has been Treasurer of JETAA for two years and is currently in his second term as President. Outside of work and JETAA Murray enjoys playing cricket (with more enthusiasm than success) and pretending to study Japanese.
Vice-President, Secretary - Ailsa Lian
Hi, I'm Ailsa Lian and the current Vice President and Secretary for JETAA Canberra. I was born in Canada, but have lived most of my life in the US.
I was a high school ALT in the lovely Kobayashi city in Miyazaki Prefecture from 2005 to 2007. Miyazaki-ken is considered a subtropical climate so I took up surfing. I also learned Shodo (Japanese calligraphy) during my time in Japan. Since moving to Canberra in February I'm still learning my way around town and look forward to making new friends.
Treasurer - Amanda West
Amanda has been treasurer for JETAA since 2007. She is originally from North Queensland, and moved to Canberra in 2006 after spending a number of years in Brisbane.
Amanda was an ALT in Okegawa city, Saitama Prefecture from 2001 to 2003. She taught English in four junior high schools and eight elementary schools. Being located in the Kanto plains, Saitama is close to Tokyo, Yokohama, and a number of mountainous areas and the hot springs in Gunma. Amanda now works for the Australian Government and enjoys the ease of living in Canberra (except for the winter months).
Social Function Coordinators
Andrea Rodgers
Andrea is originally from Hobart and was an ALT in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture from 2003-2005. Andrea lived in the mountains and thoroughly enjoyed teaching in 6 rural schools. Andrea was involved in the local Kendo Club, the annual trip of Welsh junior high students to Hiroshima and organising English language camps over the Summer vacation.
Since moving to Canberra in the late 1990s, Andrea is currently working for the Australian Government and has been Vice President/Secretary of JETAA Canberra for one year and is currently in her second term as Social Director of our fundraising and cultural awareness events.
Ewan Morris
Nicole Lawes
Nicole was a JET for three years in Minamata Shi in Kumamoto Prefecture and one year as a Shogakko ALT in Kumamoto city. She didn't know what to expect when she found out that the town she was going to was famous for a mercury poisoning disease called eMinamata disease'. When she learnt about Minamata disease she was dubious about going to Minamata, however she discovered a welcoming community who have learnt from this tragic mistake and turned the city into one that is now famous for its work on the environment.
She is now enjoying being a social coordinator in Canberra JETAA so that connection with Japan remains. Nicole also feels a bond with former JETS so it's been a great way to make new friends!
Orientation Coordinator - Jade Carson
Webmaster - Aler Locus
Aler your friendly neighbourhood webmaster. I was an ALT on the JET Programme between 2003-2005 in Monobe Village, Kochi-ken. My village was famous for its Summer Lake festival, timber and yuzu.
I hope you'll find the information and links on the Canberra JETAA site useful for your life back in Canberra and to keep you connected to things back in Japan. I'm always looking for new contributions and suggestions.