Monash Passport: Act video text version

Caption: Adam Shoemaker-Deputy Vice Chancellor(Education)

Adam Shoemaker: "One of the great things about Monash University is its commitment to the world outside the campus. It's not just a matter of thinking about classes, it's not just a matter of thinking about all the lectures and tutorials and all the labs, it's actually working with people and making a difference to the world. That's why the theme of volunteering is so important to the Monash Passport. In fact it's actually one of the big distinguishing features that puts Monash apart from almost every other Australian University."

Description/logo: Monash Passport Act Theme

Description: Andrew Asten working at desk

Narration: For Commerce/Law student Andrew Asten, an invitation from The Oaktree Foundation co-founder Hugh Evans was a pivotal moment in his life.

Caption: Andrew Asten

Andrew Asten: "There's a specific part of the campaign it's called Face Up To Poverty. I want you to do it and I need you to say yes and I need you to say yes today. And I said give me the day to think about it and I called him back the next day and said I'd love to."

Description: Andrew and co-worker Jessica having a meeting

Narration: Andrew's involvement is not a part time commitment, he spends 35 hours a week running the Schools Four Schools program.

Andrew Asten: "It's actually good because it's designed for young executives, young people to be really trained to expand the scope of what they can do"

Narration: While it's true that one person can't solve the problems of the world, every effort no matter how small can make a big difference.

Andrew Asten: "Through Oaktree I actually went to South Africa for two months and Tanzania and that was in the summer of 2007, 2008. And actually meeting the people that were involved in Oaktree's work in South Africa, meeting the young kids who are getting the opportunities at school, meeting the people who's lives have been changed and seeing the deep impact of poverty that still existed there. Seeing that and coming back to Australia with that personal understanding was what really got me fired up for the first time"

Narration: And the direction and philosophy of Monash University played a large part in Andrew's development

Andrew Asten: "The whole university's culture is very globally oriented and so many students are constantly travelling or looking at going overseas or doing exchanges, very much thinking outside Australia is part of the culture of the university."

Narration: The Oaktree Foundations goal is to overcome poverty through education and that requires money and lots of it.

Andrew Asten: " If you take a look we'd love you to think about donating and if you've got any questions have a look at the brochure"

Description: South African Zulu Choir

Narration: A fundraiser in August 2009 showcased the extraordinary talents of the South African Zulu Choir.

South African Zulu Choir(singing)

Description: South African Zulu Choir

Narration: For Andrew, along with every other volunteer, the hard work of overcoming poverty and despair does have moments of joy.

Andrew Asten: "This is worthwhile, this is incredibly worthwhile"

Description/logo: Monash Passport Act Theme

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