The Candidate
The publication of the 2013 Annual Curtin Student Guild Elections Theofficial official publication of the 2 013 Annual Curtin Student Guild Elections
The Candidate G u i l d P r esident
Sam Cavallaro LEFT ACTION
Hi, I’m Sam Cavallaro. I study fine art and I am currently the Guild’s Education Vice President. I am also the co-convenor of Equal Love WA. I am running for Guild President because I want a Guild that stands up for student rights. Unlike most student politicians I have actually implemented the policies I was elected upon. Last year I vowed to fight the university’s budget cuts and I have spent the whole year doing just that. This year our fight included taking on the government’s proposed 2.3 billion in funding cuts. Whether it’s Rudd or Abbott in office next year, both are committed attacking higher education and making student life so much more difficult. Next year we will need a fighting guild, a guild committed to student rights, one that reflects the fabulous diversity of Curtin students. That’s why you should VOTE 1 Sam Cavallaro for president and LEFT ACTION. This is just a few of the things I have done this year: Organised the single biggest campus demonstration of over 700 students against the government’s cuts to higher education. We have been able to make real changes by saving courses and stopping units from being cut such as Literary and Cultural studies. Abolished youth wages in the Guild cafes. Young students do equal work and should get equal wages. • Sat on numerous university committees advocating for Curtin students. Vote for Guild that stands for equality and social justice: As a socialist and activist, I have been involved in campaigns for marriage
equality, Aboriginal rights, refugee rights, justice for Palestine and free speech. Unlike some other student politicians I believe that the Guild has a duty to reflect and encourage diversity. The Guild should not be a place where only straight, white men feel comfortable; it should actively combat racism, sexism and homophobia. That’s why this year’s Left Action candidates have taken up these issues. It brings more students into the Guild and that can only be a good thing. While living with international students I have seen the difficulty they face with restrictions to work, outrageous cost of tuition and with racism. The university treats international students as “cash cows” and the introduction of the government cuts can only make this worse. University is not just about classes and textbooks, it should also have a vibrant social life I believe that the diversity at Curtin is something to be celebrated and that clubs and societies are crucial for fostering a vibrant student culture. I will increase funding to all clubs. So whether its students devoted to science-fiction, sports or a particular political or religious club, I want all students to feel included in the life of the Guild through their participation in their clubs and societies. I want to ensure that the Guild holds lively, fun and safe social events for all students. The Guild can provide a great way for students to get to know one another and develop a real student community on campus.
Liam O’Neil CURTIN UNITY
aside in favour of external issues. If elected the Curtin Unity Group will aim to end the unnecessary and ineffective protests, which are costing too much and achieving too little. Furthermore Curtin Unity will aim to improve and expand units available to first years especially those in the humanities who have very few choices available. Unity will also aim to introduce a method of polling the student populace on decisions that the guild and its council have no mandate to implement such as large scale protests.
V ic e
P resi den t Miranda Wood LEFT ACTION
Our Candidate for General Secretary Lewis Whittaker stands and aims to make the guild more transparent and more accountable to the student populace. Our Candidate for Commerce Representative Ryan McNiece seeks to create more space for students and more relevant first year units. Our Candidate for Health Sciences Siobhan O’Rourke hopes to represent the needs of Health Science Students to help ensure improved first year units, more resources and more common rooms for students. Our Candidate for Science and Engineering Ammar Fazillah aims to provide a greater voice of students within Science and Engineering. He strives for a no nonsense approach to studies, where aggressive persuaders no longer delay and disrupt learning with irrelevant information to engineering and science. And our ISC President Candidate Eva Jamil is targeting the lack of communication between the guild and the students, increasing the say of the international students and a more appropriate use of guild resources. All of these things and more can and will be achieved if you the students of Curtin University elect Unity to run your guild, for you, not for political reasons but for reasons that assist the students of this university.
Curtin Unity is a group that aims to be avoid any political affiliations. We seek to bring the focus of the guild back to the students of Curtin University which has been put
Ed ucat io n
Liam O’Neill Curtin Unity Presidential Candidate
Curtin Student Guild Elections 2013. Authorised by Adrian Malkovic- Returning Officer
My name is Miranda Wood and I am Left Action's candidate for Education Vice President. I'm a mature-age student studying a Bachelor of Education (Secondary), but more importantly, I'm an experienced activist and advocate. Curtin has already seen massive cuts to courses, a push to online learning, skyrocketing fees and overcrowding in classes. This will only get worse if the funding cuts are implemented. In recent years universities have become a user-pays system, with students being forced to bear the burden of paying for education, rather than the government taking responsibility for providing accessible, affordable education for all. In semester one I helped organise the National Student Strike, which drew 700 students on campus to protest the cuts and succeeded in saving several courses at Curtin, and followed it up with the Student Protest national day of action in semester two, in which Curtin students led a rally through Perth CBD. Before coming to Curtin, I worked in aged care for 7 years, being an active trade union delegate in my workplace. As a socialist and activist in numerous campaigns, including the campaign for samesex marriage and the Refugee Rights Action Network I have enormous experience in advocating and standing up for people’s rights. I will bring this invaluable experience and dedication to the role of Education vice-president. Most
recently
I
was
involved
- All views expressed are those of the candidates and NOT of the editorial staff of any Curtin Student Guild publication or of the Curtin Student Guild -
The Candidate
The official publication of the 2013 Annual Curtin Student Guild Elections in setting up Curtin Uncut, the student collective against cuts to higher education. With the recent announcement of the federal government taking $2.3 billion out of university funding, it’s crucial that Curtin has a strong, fighting guild to oppose the cuts.
A c t i vities V ice P resident Louisa Clarke
Whoever wins the election, Rudd or Abbott, both are committed to slashing higher education funding. We will need a strong fighting Guild to oppose these attacks. If elected, I vow to make this fight for student rights my priority. In my opinion, the government says it doesn’t have the money to fund higher education, but finds enough to continue the imprisonment of refugees in mandatory detention; likewise it spends billions funding war and occupation, and propping up the mining industry. I believe a strong student guild is one that not only defends students’ rights, but the rights of all oppressed minorities. • Stop the Education Cuts: more funding, support our staff, education for all • Bring back the Start-Up Scholarship, increase student welfare • Support same-sex marriage • Free the refugees • Aboriginal land rights, freedom for Palestine VOTE 1 MIRANDA WOOD EDUCATION VICE-PRESIDENT VOTE 1 LEFT ACTION
Liam O’Neil CURTIN UNITY
See President Statement
for
Louisa “Lila” Clarke I am in my third semester of a double degree in Applied Geology and Finance and aspiring to be your next Activities Vice President. With the push to online courses and lectures, course cuts from the university, funding cuts from the federal government and a Tav that closes at sundown there seems to be a heavy feeling of impending doom upon the university. It’s easy to get the impression that the university would prefer we seldom set foot upon campus – especially if it is not to simply attend a class, hand in an assignment and leave a briskly as possible. Where is the fun? Where is the music? Where is the sharing of ideas and experiences? University should be a life enriching for all students from all backgrounds and walks of life. As much learning can come from the interaction we have socially as academically whilst at uni. When again in life will you have the opportunity to interact with such a diverse range of people? Curtin boasts one of the largest and best equipped university art galleries in the country and has students who are some of the most talented and creative yet this is not reflected in the day to day goings on of Curtin students. Supporting Left Action, I oppose the course cuts from the University and the funding cuts proposed by the Federal Government. I believe that education is a right, not a privilege and strongly believe that the push for social justice is an essential part of student representation. A stronger social scene is good for students and will help to foster a sense of community, belonging and enthusiasm for our university that
is lacking on campus. I will expand and build upon popular guild activities available at Curtin so that like-minded people are able to find each other, try something new, discover a new passion, share their talents and have that crazy night that they will tell the story of in twenty years from now. I am open minded and approachable and view this position as a service role – it is my job to create events that caters to all students from all courses. I come from a sales and marketing back ground and have the skills, enthusiasm and organisational abilities to deliver on my promise of injecting some life and positivity back into Curtin University.
Radhika Kayarat
love knowing that I played a part in making their time at Curtin just that much more enjoyable! If you have ever seen me around campus cooking sausages or running around in a crazy costume then you will know that I love what I do and am committed to the Guild and bringing you, the students of Curtin, the best possible student experience you could ask for. Vote for me and you won’t be disappointed! Peace out! Radhika Kayarat
General Secret a ry Khyl Hardy LEFT ACTION
Holla gang! My name is Radhika Kayarat and I am nominating to be your Activities Vice President in 2014. I’ve been at Curtin for the last 3 years and what a 3 years it’s been! I have loved every moment of it (minus the many all-nighters and classes in the architecture building); I just want all Curtin students to be able to say the same about their time at uni. I feel very strongly about providing students with the best possible experience on campus. I have been a Guild Councillor for the past two years; doing free BBQs, Wicked Wednesdays at the Tav (when they were still around) and events like Zombie Crawl and Beach Bash has cemented my love of working with students on a grass-roots level, improving campus life, bringing you more of what you want, and just make uni more fun! I have a passion for events and a good party and will strive to make your time at uni as memorable and cray as I can :) I love to see people having a good time and I
Curtin Student Guild Elections 2013. Authorised by Adrian Malkovic- Returning Officer
Hi, My name is Khyl, I’m newly a Humanities student, and I have been the Queer Officer in the Guild this year. I am running with Left Action for the position of General Secretary. Students are being kicked around like never before. Youth Allowance is well below the poverty line, Universities are finding inventive new ways to gouge us, and now the government is cutting more funding from higher education. This will result in an exacerbation of existing problems for students- course cuts, increasing debt, larger classes and over-stretched staff with less time for marking and feedback, a push toward “online learning”- even for hands-on courses like Nursing or Occupational Therapy- and much more. Students haven’t fought back on a scale large enough to beat back these attacks for a long time. I’m a socialist and a long-term activist in Equal Love WA, the same-sex marriage rights campaign
- All views expressed are those of the candidates and NOT of the editorial staff of any Curtin Student Guild publication or of the Curtin Student Guild -
The Candidate
The official publication of the 2013 Annual Curtin Student Guild Elections group. I bring experience and a commitment to social justice (as well as other admirable traits, like a nearencyclopaedic knowledge of Buffy and The Simpsons) to the job of helping organise such a fight-back.
Asha Ahmed Mohamed
Jason Giancono
Our student organisations are here, first and foremost, to stand up for our rights, whether that be against the university admin or against the government.
Looking after our environment: If elected into the student guild, I will introduce a motion to stop the wastage of paper and ink by banning unsolicited leafleting by the Guild and associates, and limiting poster distribution to the designated poster frames around campus. I won’t use any paper campaigning material this election as testimony to this.
Vote 1 Left Action Vote 1 Khyl Hardy for General Secretary
Lewis Whittaker CURTIN UNITY
See Unity presidential candidate for group statement
My name is Asha Mohamed and I am running for Busniess Faculty Representative supporting Left Action. This is my first semester in university. I’m currently doing a commerce degree in the Curtin School of Business. I became more aware and interested in the guild after the campaign against the education cuts, which I strongly agree with. And so I tried to help with the campaign and get more people to become aware of the increase in the price of our education by our government since many people seemed to have no idea about it. I think that guild and the people involved in it are really hard workers that care about things that really matter, so of course I would want to be a part of it!
Bu s i n e s s Sc i en c e & E ngi n e e rin g Fac ul t y R epr es ent a t i v e F a c u l ty R e p re s e n t ati v e Ryan McNiece CURTIN UNITY
Ammar Fazillah CURTIN UNITY
NO PHOTO SUPPLIED See Unity presidential candidate for group statement
on the Tav. I believe we can improve the social scene at Curtin by giving more funding to clubs for events. As a liquor Approved Manager, I will volunteer my services to clubs wanting to hold events with alcohol, allowing more clubs to hold social get-togethers and parties.
See Unity presidential candidate for group statement
Hi! My name is Jason Giancono and I am in my second year of Computer Science here at Curtin. I’m running as an independent because this is the best way to represent my electors by taking away party politics. My campaign for Sci&Eng representative is based on the following seven policies.
Student Community Engagement: I promise if elected I will monitor the student response to university and guild issues and present these views in the Council. I will be open to emails from and meetings with anyone who wishes to make suggestions to the Guild and will conduct research on proposed policy to make sure it is what students want.
Student money for student issues: Political activism is a big part of university life for some. I believe the Guild Council should not be deciding which causes are worthy of extra funding and resources. Instead, to ensure all voices are heard and money is distributed equally, the Guild should only fund activism through ‘Issue Based’ clubs. This will allow the Council to focus on running the Guild leaving the protests and activism up to clubs.
Thanks for reading my policies and remember to vote for somebody you agree with or you’ll be stuck with someone you don’t!
iLecture availability: Many students now have to work part-time to pay their way through university, have children or are unable to come to university due to sickness. It is my position that every unit should take advantage of the iLecture resources available to them to support these students. ILectures are no replacement for face-toface contact, but are still extremely useful in these situations. I promise to organise meetings with every Unit Coordinator, Lecturer or Head of Department who has policies of not making lectures available online.
Jason
Health S cience F acul ty Rep resentativ e Siobhan O’Rourke CURTIN UNITY
Cheaper Cafe Food: When Guild membership became free for students, the discount on food in the Guild cafes dropped massively. If elected I will explore ways to take the financial burden off Guild members by increasing discounts. Lecture Breaks: Two hours is a long time to concentrate without a break, for some it is impossible. I promise to lead a campaign to stop lecturers who skip breaks so they can knock off early.
See Unity presidential candidate for group statement
Rebuilding the social scene: Curtin’s social scene took a big hit when there were extra restrictions put
Curtin Student Guild Elections 2013. Authorised by Adrian Malkovic- Returning Officer
- All views expressed are those of the candidates and NOT of the editorial staff of any Curtin Student Guild publication or of the Curtin Student Guild -
The Candidate
The official publication of the 2013 Annual Curtin Student Guild Elections
Nico Anthony
Clare Francis LEFT ACTION
Curtin University Postgraduate Student Association (CUPSA) President Gerard Gill LEFT ACTION
Hi my name is Nico, I am currently studying Nursing and candidate for Health Sciences faculty representative. I support Left Action. For the last 3 years I have volunteered with WA’s ambulance service, working in aged care and for people with disabilities in hospitals and homes. I have a very strong passion for health sciences and healthcare, and value the importance of working to achieve the concept and practice of inter-professional teamwork. I want to help bring together Health Science students and hear their voice, so that our future healthcare professionals graduating from Curtin are known for maintaining high standards in their chosen field, and ensuring they are receiving the best possible education and training whilst studying here. I stand with Left Action’s views against cuts on tertiary education. Students at Curtin already face difficulties coping with low budgets both personally and academically, and should not have to tolerate further disadvantage. To this end, last semester I was involved in our guild campaign against the federal government’s proposed $2.8 billion cut on funding for universities. I want to encourage students to have their voice and opinions heard, as I believe it is important that we don’t lose the “spirit” of our university, and continue to value our community as one which supports each other. I want students to feel that there is someone representing their issues to the university, who is actively working towards negotiating outcomes on their behalf.
Hi! I’m Clare Francis, possible future Humanities Faculty representative. I’m in my first year at Curtin, studying Geography/Sustainable Development, a major I chose since it managed to fall into both categories of “something I’m interested in” and “something that has job options”; the latter category of which has quite a reputation for humanities degrees. Humanities students however, lately have more to worry about than debating the truth of the stereotype of the usefulness of their own degrees as we’re faced with overwhelming education cuts and confusion over how it impacts us: whether it will mean more work hours just to get by (especially if your preferred diet includes things other than ramen noodles), how to balance the possible extra work hours with uni work and whether their major will even remain long enough for completion. Student organisations have the ability to stand up for equality within the university and wider Australian community. Left Action will fight for social justice issues such as for marriage equality, against education cuts and for refugee rights. Feeling secure financially, as well as personally at university is critical for student well-being and the ability to learn. This involves the active inclusion of all races, religions, sexualities and genders, to allow all Curtin students to feel respected and secure.
My name is Gerard Gill and I am running for CUPSA President in 2014. I support Left Action. I am in my final year of PhD studies in the Centre for Human Rights Education here at Curtin. As part of this I have conducted research in South Africa on an activist group there, and was involved in organising a film fundraiser at Curtin for this group. This year I have been heavily involved in the Curtin Student Guild’s campaign against education cuts by both the government and university administration. I have also been involved with the guild in previous years. My many years of experience with student life at Curtin University as well as a strong commitment to social justice and equity issues will enable me to serve the postgraduate student population effectively and provide advocacy for the specific needs of those students.
Robin Iftekhar
Humanities
Fac ult y
Rep r es ent a t i v e Liam O’Neil CURTIN UNITY
See President Statement
I am Iftekhar Robin, a doctoral research student in the school of Economics and Finance, Curtin
Curtin Student Guild Elections 2013. Authorised by Adrian Malkovic- Returning Officer
University. I have been working in CUPSA as the Treasurer (CUPSA executive) since February 2012. Prior to this, I was associated with the postgraduate student association in the ISS, Erasmus University, Holland as the elected academic council member during the period 200708, while I was doing masters in economics. Being the Treasurer of CUPSA for the past one and half year, with the support of my colleagues, I believe that I have brought remarkable changes in providing financial assistance to the students. To ensure a comfortable student life, I strongly believe that students need more financial assistance. We have already introduced several grant schemes for the students to purchase books/study materials from Curtin bookshop, photocopy and binding, conferences, thesis editing and data collection. I firmly believe that I will be able to contribute more for students’ welfare if I would have opportunity to serve this organization as the President. If I become the President of CUPSA, I will emphasize on: 1. Arranging more networkbuilding events so that students can share their knowledge and experiences; 2. Expediting mentoring programme so that students can easily face the initial challenges especially in the beginning of their study; 3. Helping the students in building enjoyable student-academic staff relationship during their study; 4. Upholding students’ voice to the highest authority of the university; 5. Providing advisory services to the students in finding suitable part-time work; 6. Providing more financial assistance; 7. Introducing extra curriculum activities and encouraging students to be involved, which eventually enrich their CVs and pave the way for an excellent career path after completion of their study; 8. Arranging more career workshops/exhibitions so that students can have the opportunity to get connection with the employer/ organizations; Also, I believe in multidisciplinary education, diversity in culture and nationality, and democratic practice
- All views expressed are those of the candidates and NOT of the editorial staff of any Curtin Student Guild publication or of the Curtin Student Guild -
The Candidate
The official publication of the 2013 Annual Curtin Student Guild Elections at all levels. I will be committed to ensure a congenial environment for all Curtin students, and create new changes in line with their needs in the days to come. Iftekhar Robin PhD Research Student (ID 14896248) School of Economics and Finance Curtin University E-mail:iftekhar.robin@postgrad. curtin.edu.au
Clare Francis LEFT ACTION
See previous statement
Gareth Thomas LEFT ACTION
Guild
Councillors
power point in the library or a free computer in the Abacus labs) and I have a genuine concern for student’s welfare, mainly because I've been one for far too long. Like most of you, I work in order to both make ends meet and enjoy my time at Curtin, so I know that balancing work, social and uni commitments is a constant challenge. Hence, as we continue to study in a climate of profit seeking universities and funding cuts, I believe it is imperative for students to elect candidates who represent their best interests. If we have higher costs, we deserve a higher level of education!
continually target and oppress students and minority groups on campus.
Liam O’Neil CURTIN UNITY
See Previous Statement
Lewis Whittaker CURTIN UNITY
See Unity presidential candidate for group statement
Sahar Faroughi LEFT ACTION
Lucy Larkin LEFT ACTION
Ryan McNiece CURTIN UNITY
See Unity presidential candidate for group statement
Hi my name is Shalyce Larkin, I’m a first year Health Science student. I have been committed to playing, coaching and umpiring soccer at various levels of the game. I am a keen long boarder and an excessive tea drinker. Throughout the year I have been actively involved in the campaign against the education cuts, as I believe education should be available for all, regardless of background, socio economics, and other so called barriers. With the Federal Government recently announcing $2.3 billion worth of cuts out of university funding, Curtin needs a guild of representatives committed to opposing the injustice of this attack on our education. I will be running with the Left Action ticket for Guild Councillor as I believe we need a student guild that stands up for the entire student body and all our diversities. A guild that defends our rights as students, and the rights of minority groups. I am also running for NUS delegate. This year I participated in NUS Education conference and I want to continue to see our national union stand up for students and higher education, regardless of who ends up in government after the federal election.
I am not your typical first year Human-Biology (preclinical) student. In fact, this is my 2nd degree, after graduating from a Bachelor of Science (soil science) at UWA in 2011. Prior to that I had completed first year of engineering at UWA before switching to that science degree. I believe these experiences give me a unique perspective to best understand and cover the range of issues that students face. I have seen increasing class sizes with dwindling contact hours in labs, workshops and tutorials that are hindering our ability to get the quality of education we are paying increasingly large amounts for. Comparing my UWA unit fees to current 2013 unit fees, I've seen a doubling of costs, yet a halving of actual contact with facilitators and staff. iLectures are a poor substitute for actual interaction. However it will get worse, as the Gonski reforms will cut a further 2 billion from the education budget and further impede the higher education experience. Universities like Curtin will continue to pursue profitable external students with cookie cutter generic units, as us first years tend to be saddled with. This will come at a cost to practical based units, such as those in science and engineering. As a Guild Councillor, I would be committed to providing a voice for students, by helping to ensure that they continue to have support services that will help them excel in higher education. Part of that education is social, so clubs, societies and social events will continue run throughout your time at Curtin. While quiet, I am approachable and open minded (once I find an available
Siobhan O’Rourke CURTIN UNITY
See Unity presidential candidate for group statement
My name is Sahar Faroughi and I am running for Guild Councillor with Left Action. I'm a third year student studying a Bachelor of Education/ Bachelor of Arts majoring in Literary and Cultural Studies and Secondary Education. In the first semester of this year I was involved with Curtin Uncut in helping build the campaign against the cuts being introduced to higher education. With this attack on students it’s important that Curtin has a guild that opposes the cuts and actively fights against it as well as any other policy that further disadvantages students. Being enrolled in a Humanities course, I’ve already experienced cancellation of classes and units, overcrowded classes, more generic course content and the threat of losing my course altogether. This coupled with troubles with enrolling every semester, are a clear indication that the cuts to funding are only going to make these issues progressively worse. The National Student Strike in semester one, which brought out a crowd of 700 students on campus to rally against the cuts, succeeded in saving the course I am enrolled in as well as several other courses at Curtin which makes this campaign very relevant to both current and future students. I believe that without a guild run by left wing activists there would be no organised opposing force to the unfair policies that
Curtin Student Guild Elections 2013. Authorised by Adrian Malkovic- Returning Officer
Rochelle Screaigh CURTIN UNITY
See Unity presidential candidate for group statement
Ammar Fazillah CURTIN UNITY
See Unity presidential candidate for group statement
Ken Lim
CURTIN UNITY
See Unity presidential candidate for group statement
- All views expressed are those of the candidates and NOT of the editorial staff of any Curtin Student Guild publication or of the Curtin Student Guild -
The Candidate
The official publication of the 2013 Annual Curtin Student Guild Elections
Ben Lowther CURTIN UNITY
See Unity presidential candidate for group statement
Benjamin Moss CURTIN UNITY
Q u ee r
D e p a r tm e n t
O ffi c e r Emily Kingsley LEFT ACTION
See Unity presidential candidate for group statement
Jake Wittey
As a second year International Relations and Economics student, I’ve had plenty of time to consider the many great things about our campus, but also the things that could be improved. I believe in enriching the campus social experience, opposing the proposed cuts to tertiary education by the two major parties, promoting Curtin’s rich cultural diversity, and standing for what I believe my peers see as true student issues. If elected as one of the Guild Councillors, I will give my greatest assurances to stand for these issues and any other in which you see as important. Many thanks
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forging new friendships. Some issues to be addressed next year will be the presence of mature age representation at all open and information days for students, the need for equality with scholarships and to follow the implementation of the child care assistance project currently underway. I plan on continuing all this and more into 2014 if re-elected. My desired outcomes for 2014 would be that the diversity of the Mature Age Student population is explored and addressed; ensuring all mature age students are a part of, not apart from the traditional student cohort.
Steve Giles and Jess McLeod
NO PHOTO SUPPLIED
Hey all, I have been living in Perth for almost two years now since moving up from Manjimup, about 3 hours south from here. During my first year I lived on campus at Kurrajong village, gaining a unique insight into the happenings of student accommodation. Outside of university, I work as a bartender in Leederville, and have worked in hospitality for about the same amount of time I’ve been living in Perth. This has taught me how to work with countless people from various backgrounds, as well as developing some basic understanding of events planning.
Sarah Franz & Joshua Hetherington
No statement supplied
Hi, my name is Emily Kingsley. I support Left Action. I’m a third year performance student specializing in acting and directing. This year I am running to be your next Guild Queer Officer. Over the past three years I have been actively involved in Equal Love’s campaign for marriage equality, attending meetings for the organization of the event and all of the rallies in support of our fight towards equal rights. I come from a small country town down south and growing up I was often subjected to the brutalities of homophobia. For a long time I fell into the trap of ‘the only gay in the village syndrome’ and accepted that this was ok because it was the prevalent and the norm. It wasn’t until I came to Perth and found a network of other people who felt as I did that I began to demand and actively pursue my rights to equality. Last year I operated within the Guild as Women’s Officer and this fight for equality was carried on through an amalgamation of campaigns. These campaigns included the fight against the cuts to the single parents payment, and notably a fight against the cuts to higher education. For LGBTI students who face homophobia and transphobia at home and seek other accommodation, the cuts to higher education and in particular cuts to the start up scholarship make it almost impossible to live let alone attend university. This year I hope to be elected Queer Officer so that I can create a safe space within the Guild for anyone who has ever felt the pressures of homophobia and transphobia and to continue the good fight for equality.
LEFT ACTION
Matu re Age
Depa rt men t
Representative Jodie Best Hi, my name is Steve Giles and I’m a first year Social Work student. Outside of university, I’m involved in a number of activist groups covering a wide range of issues including human rights and justice for Palestine. I am also a member of, and volunteer for, the Buddhist Society of Western Australia. Along with Jess McLeod, I’m Left Action’s candidate for Mature Age Representative.
My name is Jodie Best and I am currently in my third year and studying a double degree Psychology/ Commerce with a major in Human Resources and Industrial Relations. In 2013, I was one of the first elected Mature Age Students representatives for the Guild after initially starting up a ‘club’ for mature age students on campus in 2012. Since those small beginnings a lot has been achieved. A central contact point has been established with an environment that supports the mature age student, reaching many people both on campus and online. The department’s current coffee mornings and evening get togethers are a way of making all students feel connected and assists with networking and
Curtin Student Guild Elections 2013. Authorised by Adrian Malkovic- Returning Officer
I wish to run for the position of Mature Age Representative as I am passionate about equity and I wish to build a more inclusive campus for mature age students. As a mature age student myself, I’m well aware of the struggles faced in balancing study, work, family and social life. In my own experience, being a mature age student can be overwhelming and isolating. I’ve also dealt with the challenges that come with returning to study after a significant period of time. I will advocate on your behalf for better opportunities for all mature age students, ensuring that your time at university is as positive and beneficial as can be. We need our own voice, as we face our own unique challenges, and I look forward to representing the mature age student body, alongside the other equity departments, should I be elected.
- All views expressed are those of the candidates and NOT of the editorial staff of any Curtin Student Guild publication or of the Curtin Student Guild -
The Candidate
The official publication of the 2013 Annual Curtin Student Guild Elections As a Left Action candidate, I strongly oppose the Federal government’s proposed cuts to education and stand for education being a right, not a privilege. Cuts such as those proposed by the government have the potential to adversely affect all students, particularly marginalised groups on campus such as mature age students. All Left Action candidates, including myself, will fight tirelessly for student rights. Left Action and Curtin Uncut were at the forefront of the fight against the education cuts and helped save several courses at Curtin from being axed. This is why Left Action must be prominent within the Guild. The Guild needs to be committed to standing up for students, their interests and social justice. I believe that Left Action is best placed to achieve this, and help deliver a diverse and inclusive campus in which students from all backgrounds can participate and succeed.
I was involved in the Guild I was an activist and a socialist, and involved in Equal Love WA and the campaign for marriage equality. I know what it’s like to juggle family, friends, work, uni and other commitments. I recognise that there are many pressures that push students out of education. This is why the equity department in the Guild is so important. It’s a recognition of the extra difficulties that some students face. It gives students a way to network and have their voices heard. One of the things that really helps students to stay at uni is knowing that there is support if they need it, having good services available, and also having clubs, societies, collectives and social activities to participate in. This is what I will continue to do if elected to NUS delegate and mature age department representative. Vote 1 Left Action for a diverse and inclusive guild that stands up for students.
National Union of Students Delegates Hi, I’m Jess and I’m in my final year of nursing at Curtin. I’m running for mature age department representative with Steve Giles, and for NUS delegate. As the Guild President this year and the Education Vice-President the year before, I have lots of experience and knowledge of student issues. Over the last two years I have spoken up for students on committees, put out press releases, organised collective meetings for students to get involved in, made sure students were informed about the campus and federal education issues, organised protests and actions, supported many progressive causes, and helped individual students with their concerns when they have come to me. I have also participated in and helped at a number of social events and activities. I first became involved in the Guild because I wanted to make a difference and I wanted students to know that the Guild is here to stick up for students. The core reason we are all at uni is for our education, which is why the campaign against the cuts was so important this year. I am committed to the idea that education should be for all, and not just those who can afford it. Before
Lucy Larkin LEFT ACTION
See Guild Councillor
Jodie BEST
See Mature Age Department Representative
Liam O’Neill CURTIN UNITY See Guild President
Lewis Whittaker CURTIN UNITY
See Unity presidential candidate for group statement
Ryan McNiece CURTIN UNITY
See Unity presidential candidate for group statement
Siobhan O’Rourke CURTIN UNITY
See Unity presidential candidate for group statement
Ewelina Przenioslo CURTIN UNITY
NO PHOTO SUPPLIED
Miranda Wood LEFT ACTION
See Education Vice President
Sam Cavallaro LEFT ACTION
See Guild President
Jess McLeod LEFT ACTION
See Mature Age Department Representative
Khyl Hardy LEFT ACTION
See General Secretary
Sahar Faroughi LEFT ACTION
See Guild Councillor
is to represent students and address their real needs and concerns. The International Student Committee was solely launched as the platform to allow international students to open up, share their problems and seek support, which is why I promise to listen to my fellow students and team up with them in order to make their university experience enjoyable. The position of ISC Convenor would allow me to sit not only on Guild Council, but also with other important University Committees. I would use those opportunities to represent the forgotten voice of international students. Curtin University has a great number of international students and is proud to promote itself as an international university with a strong sense of diversity, but this is not of much value for international students if they do not have a say in how the Guild operates. One thing I am strongly against would be the inappropriate usage of Guild resources. Since we students directly provide those funds to the Guild, I firmly believe that Guild money should be better spent towards things that students really need. For example, I find it extremely unfair that international students are not eligible for almost all of the scholarships offered by our University and I think that there should be more scholarships for high-achieving domestic and international students who cannot count on University grants in order to attend tertiary education. I believe that the Guild is the body which should be fighting for student equity and while I will work as hard as I can to change the current situation, I will also do whatever possible to support fellow international students with Guild resources. Regardless, I will not stop until I can get more support and recognition for international students on campus.
My name is Eva Jamil. I am a second-year Marketing student and I am running for the position of International Students Committee Convenor. This is a key position on the Guild Council and it is the only position that solely represents the voice of international students. Despite so many international students on campus, I strongly feel that their views are not being adequately represented at Curtin. This has given me the motivation to run for ISC Convenor. I want to give international students a real voice at our university, to provide them with a platform to raise their concerns and to contribute toward the resolution of universal student problems. One of the issues I would like to address is the lack of communication between the Guild and the students who they are meant to represent. If elected, I promise that as I will always remember my main purpose, which
Curtin Student Guild Elections 2013. Authorised by Adrian Malkovic- Returning Officer
- All views expressed are those of the candidates and NOT of the editorial staff of any Curtin Student Guild publication or of the Curtin Student Guild -
The Candidate
The official publication the 2013 Curtin Annual Curtin StudentGuild Guild Elections 2013ofAnnual Student Elections
Polling Locations
Polling for the 2013 Annual Curtin Student Guild Elections will be conducted on the following days, times and places; Tuesday, 17th September 2013, between 10.00 AM until 4.00 PM. A polling booth will be located at 599 Circular – between the Library, 109, and 201. Wednesday, 18th September 2013, between at 10.00 AM until 4.00 PM A polling booth will be located at 599 Circular – between the Library, 109, and 201. Wednesday, 18th September 2013, between at 10.00 AM until 2.00 PM. A polling booth will be located between buildings108 and 106F Wednesday, 18th September 2013, between 4.00 PM Until 8.00 PM. A polling booth will be located in building 204, Engineering Foyer. Thursday, 19th September 2013, between 10.00 AM until 4.00 PM. A polling booth will be located at 599 Circular – between the Library, 109, and 201 If you have any questions about the election, please contact Adrian Malkovic RETURNING OFFICER Mobile: 0428 888398 Email: adrianmalkovic@iprimus.com.au 29th August 2013 The opinions stated in The Candidate are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Guild. These may not necessarily be factually correct. There has been no editing of submissions except to standardise photo size as not to interfere with candidate’s election policy statements. Where no photo or statement has been published, no photo or statement has been provided by the candidate. Curtin Student Guild Elections 2013. Authorised by Adrian Malkovic- Returning Officer
- All views expressed are those of the candidates and NOT of the editorial staff of any Curtin Student Guild publication or of the Curtin Student Guild -