2010-11 Ambassadorial Scholar - Andrew Bilski

Andrew was selected to be outbound Ambassadorial Scholar for 2010/2011.

Andrew was born and grew up in Canberra. In his spare time, he enjoys reading novels as well as playing and producing his own music. Andrew is also an avid sportsman, having previously represented Australia in Olympic Wrestling at international level.

Andrew graduated from the University of Sydney with a combined degree in Commerce (First Class Honours) and Law (First Class Honours). Upon graduation, he initially worked as an Associate to a Judge in the Supreme Court of NSW followed by work as an Environmental and Climate Change Lawyer for a top tier firm in Sydney.

Andrew is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ginninderra and upon his return, hopes to encourage young people in his local community to get involved with Rotary.

Andrew left District 9710 in September 2010. En route to the UK, Andrew spent some time in Taiwan where he was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of YenPing in Taipei. Addressing that club in Mandarin, Andrew spoke about how the Ambassadorial Scholarship furthers Rotary’s objective of promoting understanding and tolerance between people of different cultures.

Andrew is studying a Masters in Environmental Change and Management, specialising in international environmental law and policy, at Oxford University, U.K. The focus of Andrew's research at Oxford will be on how we can help developing countries to strengthen the capacity of their institutions to implement their environmental obligations under international law and policy. Ultimately, Andrew hopes to contribute to Australia's interests in this area, both in an academic as well as in a professional capacity.

A requirement of Oxford is that Andrew matriculate and he did so on 16 October.

While at Oxford, Andrew will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Abingdon Vesper. He was made very welcome on arrival by his counsellor David Barnett and wife Ann.

For more information, or to contact Andrew, contact: Tony Trumble trumble@tpg.com.au