Andrew Marks
 
Brief biography
 
Born in Cooma NSW, to a refugee family from Europe, I am proud to be part of multi-cultural Australia. I am appalled at the treatment of refugees in Australia by the Howard Government.
 
During the course of my life I have trodden three distinct paths.
 
Initially in adult life I graduated as an officer in the Australian Army, where I served as a Combat Engineer, which included three years in command of a counter terrorism unit. Since then I have had a shift in consciousness. “Someone’s terrorist, is another person’s freedom fighter” is a true statement.  And it is also true that at the root of acts of terror is another nation’s foreign policy. Knowing more than most about (real) weapons of mass destruction, I am appalled at the actions of “the coalition of the willing”, the blood for oil war and specifically the state of danger that John Howard has placed Australia in. I am proud to have marched in protest against this current war.
 
Another path that I have trodden is that I consider my self to be a bushman. I have around thirty five years of bush experience, and for the past seven years I have been taking people out bush through my company Hike for Life Pty Ltd www.hikeforlife.com  Also in this time I have been an environmental activist in producing a free email service about issues affecting the planet, I support both Greenpeace and the Australian Conservation Foundation. I am passionate about the bush and will do what ever I can to save it from exploitation. During the time I have developed a close relationship with indigenous cultures which have included the Pitjantjatjara of Central Australia and the Ute and Lakota of North America. I have come to see the world through their eyes, which is not a pleasant experience. The Ute call me “Kamive” meaning “Big Spirit”.
 
The last path is that of a proud father of four wonderful children. I uphold very strong family values and despair at how we have got lost in consumerism and the resultant break down of family values and structure. We outsource our children and our elders and in doing so sever the artery to rich family life. 
 
Professionally, for the past 17 years I have been a partner (Marketing and Finance Director) in running a successful information technology business www.lsi.net.au.
 
Finally, I believe in Ecological Sustainability; Social and Economic Justice; Grassroots Democracy; Peace, Nonviolence and Disarmament.