2015 Student election results
fusa.edu.au/elections
Student President
James Vigus I believe Flinders students need a FUSA that’s strong and compassionate. Defeating Tony Abbott’s anti-student government who wield an axe at public education – is not easy. I’m committed to that task, and so is STUDENT VOICE. Government priorities are wrong: students demand books, not bombs. We need a fair welfare system, not tax cuts for the super-rich . Minister Pyne will rip millions from Flinders University and make students pay 20% fee increases. His budget cuts and deregulation will axe staff, reduce courses and increase class-sizes. This year STUDENT VOICE members on Student Council have led a campaign against the Abbott agenda. We’ve worked tirelessly to inform Flinders students, and you’ve mobilised in record numbers. In 2015 the stakes are high, - attacks on Medicare will possibly lead to the end of our on-campus Medical Service! We must fight against this! As a mature-aged Social Work masters student, I understand the demographic changes within Flinders. Many students face real cost-of-living pressures. Students and their families are increasingly living below the poverty line. STUDENT VOICE will continue to support an inclusive, active and creative FUSA. We’ll campaign for better, cheaper public transport and to abolish Flinders’ outrageous parking fees. We’ll demand liveable Centrelink payments and fair casual wages - students should focus on study, not survival. STUDENT VOICE is passionate about social justice. We’re appalled that Muslim students face a racist campaign from Abbott and the media. The hysteria is supposed to distract us from unpopular cuts to education, health and welfare. International students also face enormous costs - paying the highest fees in the world. This must change! Whether you’re from Australia or overseas, postgrad/ undergrad, study externally, parttime or full-time, STUDENT VOICE will stand up for your rights in 2015. As President I hope to lead the charge.
General Secretary
Grace Hill Hi, I’m Grace Hill from Student Voice, and I’m running for the position of General Secretary. I’m an undergrad majoring in management and policy. This year I’ve been the Student President at FUSA, and have led FUSA into the fight against the Liberal government’s attacks on university students. Abbott and Pyne want to rip millions of dollars from Flinders University, and they want students to pay the difference - with fee hikes of 20%! Their cuts and deregulation will mean courses and staff will go, and classes will get bigger. This year it’s been the Student Voice members on student council who’ve led the campaign against the Abbott agenda, working tirelessly to mobilise Flinders students in record numbers. This must continue in 2015, which is why you should elect the candidates from Student Voice! In addition to campaigns for education rights, Student Voice wants to carry out campaigns for better public transport, free parking, and increased Youth Allowance/Austudy payments. Many Flinders students live below the poverty line, focus their energy on surviving rather than studying and university life. We need increased student payments, no charge for Flinders Students to park on campus, and a free, more extensive public transport system to get to Uni. Student Voice is your social justice ticket in this election. In a time when we’re facing heightened racism, ramped up by Liberal and Labor, to distract from the budget and justify another war in the Middle East, we need a student council that will take a stand against racism and Islamophobia on campus. That’s us! I’m running with a committed, diverse team of students in Student Voice, Please Vote #1 Grace Hill for General Secretary. Vote #1 James Vigus for President. Vote #1 all Student Voice candidates for FUSA student council and NUS delegates!
Education Officer
Welfare Officer
Caleb Pattinson
Ella KeeganTreloar
To introduce myself, I am Caleb Pattinson currently studying Education and Science here at Flinders Uni, with a bit of history chucked in for good measure. With such a diverse range of topics and faculties I feel like I am able to speak for a broad cross section of students on campus. I have spent the year of 2014 already serving on Student Council and would like to contribute further to improving Flinders University. Growing up in the Hills I was cultured to a community of mate-ship and the will to improve a situation. I still actively serve on the committee of my local cricket club.
Hi! My name is Ella. I am a Psych Honours student, the current FUSA Women’s Officer and a member of Activate. If elected as the Welfare Officer I would aim to: - Raise awareness of and normalise mental illnesses amongst the student body; - Push for better lighting and access to 24 hour labs; - Campaign for affordable food on campus;
The opportunity to give voice to the students of the Uni should not be taken without the due responsibility that is associated with the role. I will be running for this position, not on a political background, but with a desire to improve the life and culture of Flinders Uni campus. As an educational establishment, Flinders has some exciting crossroads coming in the near future and it is important we steer the Uni in the right direction in response to the voice of the students. Vote 1 for Caleb if you would like to see action towards reshaping the Uni we all want to improve!
- Expand the current welfare initiatives (particularly the Welfare Breakfasts and Food Bank); - Actively fight stigma and discrimination; - Improve study conditions and challenge cultural expectations and values that impact negatively on students’ well-being; - Oppose against cuts to welfare; - Campaign for international student concessions, and improved access to advocacy on campus, help with enrolment services and international student orientation sessions; - Improve and raise awareness of support services for health issues (mental and physical); and - Work collaboratively with relevant groups (both on and off campus). Vote 1 Activate Progressive | Accountable | Proven
Post Graduate Students Officer
Indigenous Students Officer
Shannon Abeywardena
Latoya Rule
Hi, everyone! It is an honour to be able to serve you this year as your post graduate student representative. I am excited and looking forward to a productive academic year. I want to begin the year by meeting and conversing with some our post graduate students at Flinders to find out from them exactly what their expectations from the university are. This academic year, one of my first plans of action will be to begin more social gatherings that are exclusively for graduate students. I also want to organize casual seminar style presentations from our university professors and business professionals so that graduate students can learn more about current topics related to international development, business, and health care. Creating more opportunities for students to meet with our faculty would be another important priority. I would also like to create some workshops and seminars in which we help graduate students with tips on networking, what it takes to land the most competitive jobs in their fields, internships and placements, and how to improve one’s resume and interview skills. I would also like to make more teaching workshops available that help our graduate students with resume writing and business English writing. I am open to more ideas, and I look forward to hearing them from you. I am very grateful for this opportunity, and I promise to do my very best to help the post graduate students of Flinders University achieve their full potential academically and socially.
My name is Latoya Aroha Rule, I am a second year Social Work student, and I am a passionate First Nations woman of both Australia and New Zealand. I feel strongly about advocating for the rights of other First Nations people, especially at the university level. At current, I am the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative within the Flinders University Social Work Society, contribute to the Flinders Indigenous Student Association, am an Ambassador for Flinders University, and am a leader within my community through political activism of First Nations issues. My heart is for First Nations peoples and my hope is to see chains of oppression be broken! I believe that by nominating for the position of Indigenous Students Officer for FUSA I am committing myself to working towards strengthening collaboration and representation of First Nations peoples throughout the university, as well as advocating for our First Nations community on campus. I am excited to be running with a dedicated and diverse team of students called Student Voice. So, please VOTE 1 Latoya Rule for Indigenous Students Officer, VOTE 1 James Vigus for President and VOTE 1 for our other Student Voice candidates for FUSA Student Council and NUS delegates.
Kind regards, Latoya Rule
International Students Officer
Women’s Officer
Riana Cermak Siti Maesaroh Hi, I’m Siti Maesaroh, International student from Indonesia, and I’m running for the position of International Student Officer. I am on my first semester of my study in Master of Disability Studies. While I am enjoying my first three months of studying and living experience here, I understand that as international student, we might find some difficult situations during our times here. That is why I am very excited to run for this position to be able to share, not only the difficulties, but also other rich experiences with other international student here at Flinders University. My back ground and interest is around fighting against discrimination and promoting human rights. Back home, I am working for the national human rights institution since 2008 and I really love the job. I feel honor to run the campaign with the Student Voice who will led the campaign against racism and Islamophobia. Furthermore, as I believe diversity is what we are as international student, my priorities is to enhance the promotion of multiculturalism as our main culture here at Flinders. With FUSA, we will going to work together pursuing that vision, while also having fun organizing multicultural activities that will range from cultural night, discussions and seminars, informal meetings and other activities that mainly will focus to your benefit as international student. My campaign is with the dedicated team of students in Student Voice. Please Vote #1 Grace Hill for General Secretary. Vote #1 James Vigus for President. Vote #1 Khairul Hisyam Abdul Razak for disability officer. Vote #1 Brodie May as Education Officer. Vote #1 Ira Herbold as Welfare Officer. Vote # 1 all Student Voice candidates for FUSA student council and NUS delegates!
My name is Riana Cermak and I am running for FUSA Women’s Officer. We need a Student Association that actively supports gender equality and safety on campus. If I am elected to council I will focus my attention on: 1.
Equal opportunities for everyone on campus;
2.
Better security on campus, particularly after hours;
3.
Standing up to higher education budget cuts;
4.
Better and more affordable food and coffee on campus, as well as fairtrade certified products; and
5.
Better public transport and parking facilities.
Please help to support me in my mission to improve Flinders University for the better. Vote 1 Activate for a progressive FUSA.
Queer Officer
Environment Officer
Rosalie Dow
Brodie May
Experience, passion, and the support of Activate. Vote One for Rosalie Dow for Queer Officer 2015. I have held the position of Queer Officer on Student Council for the last year, and have loved every minute of it. In this time, I have assisted in restarting the Queer Society, participated in planning the new Hub, and organised events such as International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia (IDAHOT) and sex health workshops. I have also been involved in many student council initiatives, including several National Days of Action, and RUOK day. In 2015 I will be a third year BA student majoring in Women’s Studies. I am passionate about issues around Gender and Sexuality, and use my feminist and queer values to influence decisions made on student council. I have consistently listened to recommendations from the Flinders University Queer Society, as well as other queer students as to how best to represent queer issues to the council, such as campaigning for gender neutral bathrooms. If elected for 2015, I intend to continue doing so, and build on the work I have started this year.
I’m Brodie May from Student Voice, and I’m running for the Environment Officer position. We may have met around the recent climate action rally. This year we have seen an absolutely vicious campaign by the Federal Government against students. Hockey’s budget dealt out crippling attacks, including total deregulation of university fees (which could see the cost of degrees soar to over $100,000), a high interest rate on HECS debts (meaning thousands of dollars extra debt for all of us), and a cut of 20% to commonwealth funding to unis, which will be translated to similar increases in student fees. All the while handing billions of dollars more to mining bosses. In response to these attacks, we’ve seen an inspiring fightback – a campaign of protest actions around the country. Here at Flinders, Student Voice members led that fightback, organising and leading the protests in Adelaide and on campus at Flinders, for example the Student Voice-led protest when we prevented Abbott from speaking at Flinders. We need more of this if Abbott and his cronies are to back down, and that’s why you should elect Student Voice campaigners like me to the student council. Another pressing issue facing the students of Flinders today is racism, especially given the renewed anti-Muslim and anti-Arab racism being promoted by the government and media right now to distract from their attacks on students, workers and the environment. We want to see a student council that is firmly antiracist, that will stand up for students’ rights. Student Voice is the ticket for anti-racism and social justice! I’m running with a committed, diverse team of students in Student Voice, Please Vote #1 Brodie May for Environment Officer. Vote #1 James Vigus for President. Vote #1 all Student Voice candidates for FUSA student council and NUS delegates!
Accessibility Officer
Amy Hueppauff I’m currently a first year student studying a Bachelor of International Studies and a Diploma of Language. I’m an executive officer of ASIS and take an active role in supporting students and organising events. I’ve volunteered extensively for a number of organisations, specifically the CFS, of which I’ve been a member for over seven years, and the Red Cross, both as a blood donor and Youth Ambassador. If elected to the position of Accessibilities Officer I will aim to: · raise and promote awareness of accessibility issues, rights and opportunities · increase councillors and raise awareness of them · raise awareness of medical services on campus · campaign for more mental health services · raise awareness of mental illness among university students and staff · make sure that all offices, classrooms and lecture theatres are accessible to everyone at Flinders University · campaign for Hearing Induction Loops in all locations on campus · reduce the stigma and prejudice towards those who have a disability · improve disabled parking, public transport and the Flinders University bus terminal · make the bus terminal more accessible and secure to all students, including more seating and shelter · extend campus culture to ensure that it is accessible to everyone · connect with and represent the student body and give them a voice · improve campus security and lighting · make sure that any change in food production or ingredients is widely advertised to ensure the safety of those with food allergies I believe issues that affect students and those they deem to be significant towards their university experience need to be actively looked into and addressed. I will fight to represent all students, including those who require more access to accessibility services, and for them to have a more accessible campus where they feel safe and welcome to study and achieve their university goals. Vote [1] Activate.
Social Activities Officer
Simone Jowett My name is Simone Jowett, and I am entering my last year of a Bachelor of Languages in 2015. I am nominating for Social Activities Officer because I believe that at Flinders University campus life is growing, and I want to be involved in growing it even further in 2015. I have spent the last 18 months at Flinders becoming more involved with the previously relatively underdeveloped social club scene, which has seen a massive boom since the formation of FUSA. I have worked on successful events for the Flinders University Harry Potter Society (FUHPS) and Flinders University Digital Gaming Enthusiasts (FUDGE), and will use what I have learnt there to work with stakeholders in and out of the Flinders community to organise events for the student body. I have previous event planning experience as a member of local Youth Advisory Committee, and this coupled with my clubs experience means I have been involved in the planning and execution of many varied events, including movie nights, all-day music festivals, quiz nights and fundraisers. If elected to SAO, it is my wish to create a campus culture that encompasses all of the different areas of Flinders University, such as Sturt, Uni Hall and DJ Village, and Tonsley upon its completion next year. It is my belief that Flinders Uni doesn’t end at the Registry Steps, and that there are more places to party than the Plaza. I want to empower the student body at large to host their own events, because I can’t claim to know exactly what everybody wants. But I will help any student that comes to me and asks for help to run their event, with all the resources FUSA gives me. So please, Vote [1] Simone Jowett for SAO, and Vote [1] Activate!
ORDINARY COUNCIL MEMBERS (SIX POSITIONS)
Catherine Wagg
For the past three years I have been heavily involved in university life. Not only am I in my third year of a double degree in Business and Commerce, but I also live on campus where I have been part of the VRC (the Village events committee). I have been involved in the VRC for the past two years and treasurer for a year and a half. With my rural background and contacts throughout Flinders in all different faculties I understand what most people want from university life. University isn’t all about the study aspect, but the university life. University life means something different for all of us, and I aim to make it everything you want it to be. I cannot promise you the world, that I will decrease the amount of work you have to do and that I will abolish the printing fees (because I don’t think that’s in the scope of the Ordinary Council Member position) but I will fight for the issues that you care most about. I will not back down on the issues that matter to you the most. I am stubborn and in this case it works in your favour. Vote for me to be your voice around campus and represent you in the best possible way. I am also nominating for the positions of Social Activities Officer and Welfare Officer. Vote for Catherine to make things happen.
Michael Bezuidenhout Mitchel Huffa
Hello, and thanks for actually going out of your way to read this nomination! My name is Mitchel Huffa and I'm currently running for Social Activities Officer as well as the bog- standard Ordinary Council. Some of you will remember me from my time as a leading member on FLICS (formally known as FACTS) involved as Chairman (2012), Video Games Night Coordinator (2012-2013) and Advertising (2013-2014) as well as participation in various other clubs on campus such as FUTURE and FUDGE. My platform is to get clubs on campus more involved with FUSA as well as advertising clubs on campus aggressively, as this is one of the biggest areas which helps campus culture and bringing in students into social activities. I will also continue events such as the FUSA Tuesday Games Night on campus, as well as more screenings using the outdoor cinema and activities throughout the year. I will be open to suggestions and criticisms and encourage students to make events on campus that they believe are fun and inclusive of others. I will promise to try to make life on campus as lively and explosive as possible, and bring campus culture back to Flinders. I'm running with a committed and diverse team of students called Student Voice. Please Vote 1 for other Student Voice candidates for FUSA Student Council and NUS delegates, such as James Vigus for President and Ann Raith for Ordinary Council.
Michael is part of the ‘Fresh’ team running for FUSA Ordinary Council. Fresh wants to help rebuild campus culture with more events and services, making FUSA more visible and your time on campus more enjoyable. Fresh believes that a degree shouldn’t be a debt sentence and has led the campaign against fee increases, education cuts and all other Federal budget measures that will hurt students. Fresh will work for cheaper printing on campus, more food options and lower prices, and more free services from FUSA to support students.
ORDINARY COUNCIL MEMBERS (SIX POSITIONS)
Ann Raith
Kevin Clark Across my 3 years at Flinders I have enjoyed seeing the campus life grow. The largest part of this has been the growth of clubs. In first year I happily signed up and partook in events run by FUDGE, and in second year a few more clubs and societies were developing. This year the explosion of both clubs, and events, has been magnificent. I have worked hard in founding a club, the F.U.N. Society, as well as partaking in everything from fossil hunting with the Paleontology Society to pizza with FUSE. Part of university life is having a life at university outside of your study, and in the next year I will push to continue to give students reasons to come and stay on campus across the week, even when they don’t have classes, alongside the rest of the Activate team!
My name is Ann Raith and I am currently a 2nd year Social Work student. I have been active in the student community since my first year. I identified a need and desire amongst my cohort for a greater sense of community within my course and so founded and was subsequently elected as the President of the Flinders University Social Work Society (FUSWS). Due to my passion for policy and student advocacy, I have been elected to the position of General Member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) (SA) Branch Board. I have maintained an active involvement in student life as a Peer Mentor for 1st year students and as a Mentee in the Connect @ flinders program. I wish to nominate for a position of Ordinary Council Member, as I feel strongly about student representation, and believe that I would be a proactive member of the council. I feel that my experience with FUSWS and the AASW has equipped me with the prerequisite attributes needed to operate within this environment. I am running with a committed and diverse team of students called Student Voice. Please vote 1. Ann Raith for Ordinary Council Member. Vote 1. James Vigus for President and other Student Voice candidates for FUSA student council and NUS delegates.
Jack Harrison Hi my name is Jack Harrison and I'm studying law and international studies. I have always had a passion and desire to help my fellow students. I have represented my peers on the various student bodies. I want to add a student’s voice to discussions and decisions which need them direly. This year, I've taken up first year rep positions with Flinders Law Students' Association and the Association for the Students of International Studies which has given me valuable experience in student representation and acting on the issues and concerns my fellow students have had. If elected, I can add to the diversity of the Student Council. I come from a rural area so I can relate to the many students at Flinders who do not come from major cities like Adelaide and Melbourne. I think this is particularly important as the transition to Uni life is very difficult for rural students who are often hundreds of kilometres from home and rarely see their family. This is why I firmly believe in the importance of having vibrant campus life and accessible support networks for students who may need help to cope with the change of lifestyle. I also spend everyday living in close proximity with over 200 Flinders students at University Hall. A representative on Council with experience of living on campus I think is important as the changes to Flinders University affect us who live their greatest due to our proximity and reliance on main campus for social life. I believe I can represent the needs of all students at Flinders but particularly those from rural backgrounds and the 500 plus students who live on campus.
EMPIRE TIMES EDITOR TEAM
Empire Times editor team (three POSITIONS)
Jess Nicole, Jade Kelly & A (Jennifer) Matters The most important and integral objective for any student magazine is independent, apolitical and unbiased representation of the student body. Empire Times should be a voice for student opinion, a platform for emerging talents, and should represent the diverse range of students that attend Flinders University on and off campus. Empire Times needs to be an environment that fosters creativity while providing the necessary feedback to help students develop their skills, showcase their talent and amplify their voice. Empire Times should endeavour to provide up to date news that affects the student body, creates conversation on campus and develops an ongoing dialogue between the students, their representatives and the university. Jess, Jade and Jennifer as incoming editors for 2015 have a unique and complementary mix of talents that will continue the tradition of supporting students in order to preserve the legacy of Empire Times as the loudest voice for students. Empire Times will be a place for all students to convene in order to contribute to discussions on topics that affect students on an individual and collective level. As 2015 editors, we will provide a welcoming and nurturing environment for old and new talents to hone their voice and achieve their dreams of publication. Students shouldn’t be defined by their degrees. They should be given the opportunity to express themselves
through alternative ways and be exposed to alternative views that allow them to develop as people, not just as students. You are more than your FAN. We want to be the editors that give you the megaphone, that help you write the article you always wanted to read, and showcase your talents to inspire others. You can be more. Our team has the depth of experience to ensure that your voice will be heard. Loudly. Vox Pop (a vision of what’s to come…) Real Name: Jess Nicole Alter-Ego: George Costanza Alignment: Chaotic Good Distinguishing Feature: Plaid shirts and green hair Familiar: Squirtle Weapon of Choice: Macbook Air Transportation Device: Wishful thinking Special Power: Weirdo magnet Personal Kryptonite: Nicholas Cage bathing in nachos Arch Enemy: Oversharers on Facebook Bad Habit: Oversharing on Facebook Theme Song: “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” - Cindy Lauper Catch Phrase: “What’s up bitches!?!” Superhero Skills: 2014 Editor of ET Ability to edit an article in a single bound Can deliver up a delicious compliment sandwich Real Name: Jade Kelly Alter-Ego: The Spadinator Alignment: Neutral Good Distinguishing Feature: Bohemian chic
Familiar: The Dalai Llama Weapon of Choice: Ipod Transportation Device: Acapella groups Special Power: The ability to recite every episode of Friends Personal Kryptonite: Coke Arch Enemy: Spiders…..all of them. Bad Habit: Hunger Games enthusiast Theme Song: “It’s Nice to Be Alive” Ball Park Music Catch Phrase: “When in doubt, dance it out” Superhero Skills: 2014 Editor of ET Ability to survive purely on coffee Extreme dance skills Real Name: Amanda (Jennifer) Matters Alter-Ego: The Hovercraft Alignment: Lawful Good Distinguishing Feature: Red lipstick and rainbow laces Familiar: A coal puff from Spirited Away Weapon of Choice: Sass Transportation Device: Vintage stepthrough bicycle Special Power: Vintage hair in seconds! Personal Kryptonite: Migraine headaches Arch Enemy: Coriander Bad Habit: Blanket thief Theme Song: “Just Because You Can” Catherine Russell Catch Phrase: “No….just…just no.” Superhero Skills: Beginner’s Luck Typing at the speed of light Facebook Detective Skill
NUS CONFERENCE DELEGATES
nus conference delegates
Alison Taylor
James Vigus
My name is Alison Taylor, I have been studying at Flinders for three years and I am currently completing a Bachelor of Nursing.
I believe Flinders students need a NUS that’s strong and compassionate. Defeating Tony Abbott’s anti-student government - who wield an axe at public education – is not easy. I’m committed to that task, and so is STUDENT VOICE.
I work as a Disability Support Worker and I am also an Ordinary Council member on FUSA. I have been President of FUNMSA, and I am a member of many clubs and societies on campus. In 2015 I would like to see FUSA grow to bigger and better heights. As a student based at Sturt I would like to see campus culture spread all over the university. With Tonsley opening up in 2015 having a versatile FUSA that all students can relate to will be more important than ever. I will campaign to expand concessions for international students, and provide additional support with finding accommodation and mental health services. I will also push for more visible security, better lighting at night, and larger 24 hour study spaces. I would like to see more accessible, safer public transport for students at Flinders. I will advocate for more buses at regular times and a train to Flinders. I will be campaigning to ensure all dietary requirements are catered for, as well as a wider range of food that is of better quality and value for your money. I will also campaign for the university to have 100% fair trade food. I will continue to fight the current Education and Centrelink cuts, with both rallies and meetings to ensure that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to attend university. I will also fight the university on any staff or class cuts that they may try to implement. Overall I want to make Flinders the best university to study at and a university that provides every student with the best education possible and that is accessible to everyone.
Government priorities are wrong: students demand books, not bombs. We need a fair welfare system, not tax cuts for the super-rich . Minister Pyne will rip millions from Flinders University and make students pay 20% fee increases. His budget cuts and deregulation will axe staff, reduce courses and increase class-sizes. This year STUDENT VOICE members at NUS have led a campaign against the Abbott agenda. We’ve worked tirelessly to inform Flinders students, and you’ve mobilised in record numbers. In 2015 the stakes are high, - attacks on Medicare will possibly lead to the end of our on-campus Medical Service! We must fight against this! As a mature-aged Social Work masters student, I understand the demographic changes within Flinders. Many students face real cost-of-living pressures. Students and their families are increasingly living below the poverty line. STUDENT VOICE will continue to support an inclusive, active and creative NUS. We’ll campaign for better, cheaper public transport and to abolish Flinders’ outrageous parking fees. We’ll demand liveable Centrelink payments and fair casual wages - students should focus on study, not survival. STUDENT VOICE is passionate about social justice. We’re appalled that Muslim students face a racist campaign from Abbott and the media. The hysteria is supposed to distract us from unpopular cuts to education, health and welfare. International students also face enormous costs - paying the highest fees in the world. This must change! Whether you’re from Australia or overseas, postgrad/ undergrad, study externally, parttime or full-time, STUDENT VOICE will stand up for your rights in 2015. At NUS I hope to lead the charge.
nus conference delegates
Grace Hill
Jordon O'Reilly
Hi, I’m Grace Hill from Student Voice, and I’m running for the position of NUS delegate. This year I’ve been the Student President at FUSA, and have led FUSA into the fight against the Liberal government’s attacks on university students. I have been a strong NUS delegate for the last two years. Abbott and Pyne want to rip millions of dollars from Flinders University, and they want students to pay the difference - with fee hikes of 20% or more! Their cuts and deregulation will mean courses and staff will go, and classes will get bigger. This year it’s been the Student Voice members on student council who have led the campaign against the Abbott agenda, working tirelessly to inform and mobilise Flinders students in record numbers. This must continue in 2015, which is why you should elect the candidates from Student Voice to represent Flinders in the National Union!
Jordon O’Reilly is part of the ‘Fresh’ team dedicated to fighting uni fee increases and campaigning for textbooks on HECS. Fresh wants to ensure that NUS continues on the path of reform to better represent and advocate the interests of all students on a national level. You can trust Fresh to make NUS work for you - members of our team hold senior positions within NUS and need your support to continue leading the fight against attacks on our education and welfare.
Student Voice is your social justice ticket in this election. In a time when we’re facing heightened racism, ramped up by Liberal and Labor, to distract from the budget and justify another war in the Middle East, we need NUS delegates that will take a stand against racism and Islamophobia, and who will keep the union fighting in the face of the Liberals. I’m running with a committed, diverse team of students in Student Voice, Please Vote Grace Hill, Brodie May, and James Vigus for your 2014 NUS delegates!
nus conference delegates
Brodie May I’m Brodie May from Student Voice, and I’m running for the NUS Delegate position. This year we have seen an absolutely vicious campaign by the Federal Government against students. Hockey’s budget dealt out crippling attacks, including total deregulation of university fees (which could see the cost of degrees soar to over $100,000), a high interest rate on HECS debts (meaning thousands of dollars extra debt for all of us), and a cut of 20% to commonwealth funding to unis, which will be translated to similar increases in student fees. All the while handing billions of dollars more to mining bosses. In response to these attacks, we’ve seen an inspiring fightback – a campaign of protest actions around the country. Here at Flinders, Student Voice members led that fightback, organising and leading the protests in Adelaide and on campus at Flinders, for example the Student Voice-led protest when we prevented Abbott from speaking at Flinders. We need more of this if Abbott and his cronies are to back down, and that’s why you should elect Student Voice campaigners like me to the student council. Another pressing issue facing the students of Flinders today is racism, especially given the renewed anti-Muslim and anti-Arab racism being promoted by the government and media right now to distract from their attacks on students, workers and the environment. We want to see a student council that is firmly antiracist, that will stand up for students’ rights. Student Voice is the ticket for anti-racism and social justice! I’m running with a committed, diverse team of students in Student Voice, Please Vote #1 Brodie May for Environment Officer. Vote #1 James Vigus for President. Vote #1 all Student Voice candidates for FUSA student council and NUS delegates!
Jack Harrison Hi my name is Jack Harrison and I'm studying law and international studies. I have always had a passion and desire to help my fellow students. I have represented my peers on the various student bodies. I want to add a student’s voice to discussions and decisions which need them direly. This year, I've taken up first year rep positions with Flinders Law Students' Association and the Association for the Students of International Studies which has given me valuable experience in student representation and acting on the issues and concerns my fellow students have had. If elected, I can add to the diversity of the Student Council. I come from a rural area so I can relate to the many students at Flinders who do not come from major cities like Adelaide and Melbourne. I think this is particularly important as the transition to Uni life is very difficult for rural students who are often hundreds of kilometres from home and rarely see their family. This is why I firmly believe in the importance of having vibrant campus life and accessible support networks for students who may need help to cope with the change of lifestyle. I also spend everyday living in close proximity with over 200 Flinders students at University Hall. A representative on Council with experience of living on campus I think is important as the changes to Flinders University affect us who live their greatest due to our proximity and reliance on main campus for social life. I believe I can represent the needs of all students at Flinders but particularly those from rural backgrounds and the 500 plus students who live on campus.