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60 seconds with … Mary Aldred

23 April 2008

Name: Mary Aldred
Course studied: I completed a BA in Criminal Justice and Politics (Hons) in 2006.

What have you been up to since completing your studies at Monash?

Until 2007 I worked as an adviser to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister Assisting the Defence Minister. I'm currently working at the Energy Supply Association of Australia.

What do you remember about your time at Monash?

The lectures, looking forward to an array of different views put forward during tutes, having your interpretations challenged by others, forming study groups and encouraging one another, becoming involved in campus life, getting lost in the library and having access to an incredible bank of different texts and literature, making new friends, meeting old ones, and really loving uni life.

What is your current role and what does it involve?

I work as the Communications Officer for the Energy Supply Association of Australia. The Association publishes several industry newsletters a week as well as media releases and opinion pieces dealing with the stationary energy sector. It's still a new area for me so I'm really enjoying learning more about climate change, energy supply and security and some of the other challenges in the industry.

What challenges are ahead in your current role?

One of the great things I am discovering about the energy sector is its diversity and the range of opportunities available. Issues around energy supply and security are obviously very important and very contemporary when you look at the discussions around climate change and Australia's upcoming emissions trading scheme.

What is it about your job that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?

Definitely the importance of energy supply and other issues such as climate change mitigation particularly from an economic and industry viewpoint. I'm also interested in learning about the emergence of different sources of energy.

Of all the places in the world you would like to visit/re-visit, where is your favourite destination and why?

I really loved my time in Washington DC. The history, culture and philanthropic and political institutions are incredible. From Arlington Cemetery to the Library of Congress … there are some amazing sites around Washington DC and Virginia areas.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

Stan Guilfoyle, the husband of Dame Margaret Guilfoyle Australia's first female cabinet minister, once said to me that "you have to put your hand up for things because you don't always get asked to become involved." So if there's an issue that you're passionate about or an opportunity that interests you, don't sit back and hope that someone asks you to become involved because they might not. If you have the commitment, ideas and energy to follow it through, have a bit of courage and put yourself forward.

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