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Our Executive Team

The UQ Mountain Club is run by a great team of volunteers, the Executive (Exec) team! You can recognize these people by their lovely faces or by the Executive shirts they are wearing. Do not be afraid to say hello and ask any questions :)

They are here to help!

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Maddy Smeaton - President

My favourite place in Brisbane is KP and my favourite experience ever is UQMC KP top rope climbing. I also have a big heart for hiking - mountains in southeast Queensland are to me what trains are to that guy in England who watches all the trains. Talk to me about anything club-related and come spend rest days with me plane spotting at the airport.​

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Brogan Csinger - Vice President (Trips)

I’m Canadian, which explains both my accent and my tolerance for suffering in the outdoors. Big fan of getting out there, whatever ‘there’ looks like, and always keen for new hikes and stories along the way (Stravable hikes only sorry). Question me about any of the trips, I’m your guy.

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Tully Sharman - Vice President (Community and Engagement)

Catch me on the rocks, the waves, or the slopes! I’m a big nature fan and lover of outdoors activities. I am the new guard at Mt French and a Snapper local. I’m also a fiend for the 24hr rogaines and hope to see y’all there. 

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Aisling Bligh - Secretary

Hello, I’m Aisling! I’m happiest frolicking in wild places and love all things nature, especially flowers and mountains. Currently dealing with the uncertainty of freshly graduated life with non-stop outdoors activities. Super keen for new adventures and meeting new adventurous people. 2026 is my year of iNaturalist, so find me if you spot a cool plant.

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James Hohl - Treasurer

You're in her dms. I'm 62km deep at 8:47/km on the border track. Graded track day trippers can get lapped. I'm feeling no pain. I have several nodoz and ibbies in my vest. We are not the same.

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Ciaran Huang-Ryan - Skills Coordinator

I’m that smiley guy everyone likes and won’t say a word wrong about. Recent grad now currently honing the quarter-life crisis through a combination of sport climbing, trad climbing, highlining, and making music. Find me on the crag dot com @ciaranhuangryan. I onsight 25s. And tell me about the book you're reading!

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Li Zhengxi - Climbing Coordinator

You will hear me at the crag before you see me, for I power scream up every climb like our forebears would have wanted. I am obsessed with sport climbing, and I aspire to be the next big thing in Kangaroo Point moderate ascents. Watch this space. Anyone keen to do The Governor with me is welcome.

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Liza Kalinina - Hiking Coordinator

Spreadsheet enjoyer in denial. Thrives on long walks, marginal weather calls, and store-bought beetroot crackers. Will pretend the hike is easy and then deliver a character-building day. Talk to me about what headtorch to buy (headtorch nerd alert).

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Jacob O'Neill - Multisport Coordinator

Catch me at the $10 gigs. Will not drink out of a plastic cup – microplastics are real. I have a home board, which you’ll get an invite to if you can find me a butcher that will give me meat in my personal plastic-free container. Also a surfer, and also a climber as long as I know what the grade AI is. My family all live on the same street (I’m from Tasmania). Keep Tassie wild.

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Elissa Raya - Publications Officer

90% blueberries, 10% chocolate. Full-time silent mogger and also full-time yoga enthusiast, birdwatching, type person. Happy to take anyone climbing, which is really convenient for you because I enjoy climbing at least five grades below my onsight grade. Organiser of the inaugural girls climbing trips #safespace. Will not hike unless there are at least three aesthetic photo stops per kilometre.

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Dani McAllister - Social Media Coordinator

Talk to me about car and motorbike repairs please. Happy to diagnose the noises and offer advice – climbing is second to motor vehicles. Will flash your proj, even though I never train, and can take sick photos of you before your foot pops. I can also do a kickflip. See you at KP setup.  

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Ananya Ajay - Social Events Coordinator

Alleged prodigal boulderer of UQMC (except slab). Can rap all of Hamilton and lives for the oatmeal raisin cookies from coles. Recently climbed Kilimanjaro but only cut an onion for the first time last year. I love love love meeting new people so come say hi! I full crimp jugs for fun and if a problem is ‘close’, history suggests it’s about to go.

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Ben Rose - Quarter Master 

I am a sucker for a FB Marketplace find, Woolies quick sale meat, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Keen to meet everyone out at the crags, on the trails, and at the UQ Shed – I’m the gear bro so talk to me when you’re after the boulder mats for the weekend. Also catch me in a random cave listening to EDM at 200bpm. Also catch me at the $10 gigs. 

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