n Students Association (SSA), MASO (Mature Age Student Association), discounts, food & drink on campu BBQs, Thursday market, membership program, Secondhand Bookshop, publications, newspapers, service p cinema tickets, reception & sales, lounges, activities & events, entertainment, clubs & societies, Studen tre and Film, productions, merchandise, Rabelais student newspaper, locker hire, awards and scholarship and tours, training and short courses, LTSU newsletter, advocacy, student support, postgraduate suppor cial counselling, student legal service, emergency housing, student representatives, International Stude ation (ISA), Mildura Students Association (MSA), Shepparton Students Association (SSA), MASO (Mature A dent Association), discounts, food & drink on campus, free BBQs, Thursday market, membership program ondhand Bookshop, publications, newspapers, services, cheap cinema tickets, reception & sales, lounges es & events, entertainment, clubs & societies, Student Theatre and Film, productions, merchandise, Rabe t newspaper, locker hire, awards and scholarships, trips and tours, training and short courses, LTSU news advocacy, student support, postgraduate support, financial counselling, student legal service, emergenc ing, student representatives, International Student Association (ISA), Mildura Students Association (MSA pparton Students Association (SSA), MASO (Mature Age Student Association), discounts, food & drink on pus, free BBQs, Thursday market, membership program, Secondhand Bookshop, publications, newspaper ces, cheap cinema tickets, reception & sales, lounges, activities & events, entertainment, clubs & societie nt Theatre and Film, productions, merchandise, Rabelais student newspaper, locker hire, awards and sch ips, trips and tours, training and short courses, LTSU newsletter, advocacy, student support, postgraduat ort, financial counselling, student legal service, emergency housing, student representatives, Internation ent Association (ISA), Mildura Students Association (MSA), Shepparton Students Association (SSA), MASO re Age Student Association), discounts, food & drink on campus, free BBQs, Thursday market, membersh gram, Secondhand Bookshop, publications, newspapers, services, cheap cinema tickets, reception & sale s, activities & events, entertainment, clubs & societies, Student Theatre and Film, productions, merchand is student newspaper, locker hire, awards and scholarships, trips and tours, training and short courses, LT etter, advocacy, student support, postgraduate support, financial counselling, student legal service, eme y housing, student representatives, International Student Association (ISA), Mildura Students Associatio , Shepparton Students Association (SSA), MASO (Mature Age Student Association), discounts, food & dri mpus, free BBQs, Thursday market, membership program, Secondhand Bookshop, publications, newspap ces, cheap cinema tickets, reception & sales, lounges, activities & events, entertainment, clubs & societie nt Theatre and Film, productions, merchandise, Rabelais student newspaper, locker hire, awards and sch ips, trips and tours, training and short courses, LTSU newsletter, advocacy, student support, postgraduat ort, financial counselling, student legal service, emergency housing, student representatives, Internation ent Association (ISA), Mildura Students Association (MSA), Shepparton Students Association (SSA), MASO re Age Student Association), discounts, food & drink on campus, free BBQs, Thursday market, membersh gram, Secondhand Bookshop, publications, newspapers, services, cheap cinema tickets, reception & sale s, activities & events, entertainment, clubs & societies, Student Theatre and Film, productions, merchand is student newspaper, locker hire, awards and scholarships, trips and tours, training and short courses, LT etter, advocacy, student support, postgraduate support, financial counselling, student legal service, eme y housing, student representatives, International Student Association (ISA), Mildura Students Associatio , Shepparton Students Association (SSA), MASO (Mature Age Student Association), discounts, food & dri mpus, free BBQs, Thursday market, membership program, Secondhand Bookshop, publications, newspap
“Make the most of your 14 Student Advocacy Service Postgraduate Advocacy Policy 15 Financial Counselling 16 Student Legal Service 03 Objectives 04 Membership 05 Student Representatives 06 General Manager 07 Student Leadership Conference 08 Marketing & Communication 10 Events & Activities
17 Volunteer program 18 City Campus 18 MASO: Mature Aged Students Organisation 19 ISA: International Student Association 20 MSA: Mildura Students Association
11 Clubs and Societies
21 SSA: Shepparton Students Association
12 Student Theatre and Film
22 Staff and Students
13 LTSU Awards and Scholarships
23 Financial statements & Auditors reports
time at the university
Objectives The purpose of the LA TROBE STUDENT UNION (LTSU) is to advance the education of the students of La Trobe University by:
(a) Enhancing the learning experience of students while at the University;
(b) Promoting the interests and welfare of students; (c) Representing students within and outside the University;
(d) Co-ordinating and supporting the activities of students; and
(e) Providing amenities and services for students, other members of the University community and the public.
by becoming a member of one or more of the various clubs and political groups on campus, in addition to putting in the hard academic work. Take the opportunity to meet and talk to other students, especially those who may have different views and opinions to yourself.� Fortunato Forte Bachelor of Economics La Trobe University, 1975
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Student Representatives
Membership The Student Union is a member-based not for profit organisation. The LTSU Constitution defines five categories of membership: •
student members
•
governing members
•
ordinary members
•
associate members
•
life members
In 2019, a three-tiered membership program was
introduced. The three tiers were determined by LTSU merchandise and priced accordingly. Gold:
$55 students ($65 associates) –
LTSU branded hoodie, backpack and water bottle
Silver: $35 students ($45 associates) –
LTSU branded backpack and water bottle
Bronze: $20 students ($15 associates) – LTSU branded water bottle
Returning 2018 members received a $5 discount
LIFE MEMBERSHIP
President
Abood (Abd-Alrahman) Shehada
Ethnocultural Officer
Navneet Kaur
Vice President/ Education Officer
Andrew Sanders
Ethnocultural Officer
Abdul Siddiqui
Environment Officer
Simon Ashby
community. The following individuals
General Secretary
Annabelle Romano
Environment Officer
Silje Melsom
annual LTSU Student Awards night.
Postgraduate Officer
Eknath Prabhu Brahmavar
Welfare Officer
Jack Sambell
Women’s Officer
Astril Andrades
Queer Officer
Remmy Hooper
Sarah Saeed
Disability Officer
Alex Leighton
Navida Ahsan
Women’s Officer
Kylie D’Aloia
Activities Officer
Lizhan (Yankee) Lyu
Disability Officer
Junyi Zhao
Rosina Byrne
Activities Officer
Georgie Aidonopoulos
ATSI Officer
Katelyn Jones
Education Public Affairs Officer
Liam McConnell
Rabelais Editor
Sean Carroll
Rabelais Editor
Chris Graham
Education Public Affairs Officer
Paige Wiles
City Campus Officer
Nishant Gupta
City Campus Officer
Nisar Ahmed
Student Council has the authority to
confer life membership to individuals
it believes have made an outstanding
contribution to LTSU and the La Trobe were made life members in 2019, at the
Michael Iroeche Hariharan (Harry) Lakshmanan
Greg Wighton Kerri-Lee Krause
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General Manager In 2019, LTSU maintained its commitment to providing services, representation and activities that were exciting, engaging and had a strong student focus. 2019 was a year defined by hard work and creativity as reflected by the content of this report. For LTSU, 2019 started over a month early with the 2019 Student Leadership Conference being held in Mildura in late November 2019. Hosted by the Mildura Students Association (MSA) and attended by student leaders from all LTU campuses, the three-day event provided training, knowledge and fun activities in the beautiful Sunraysia city. In 2019, LTSU reinvented our membership program by introducing a three-tiered, merchandise-based approach. Students had the choice of Gold, Silver and Bronze memberships and could deck themselves out with an LTSU branded hoodie, back-pack or water-bottle. Benefits and discounts remained the same for all three tiers of memberships. Two of our proudest moments in 2019 were born out of tragedy. In January, our student representatives were instrumental in organizing a vigil for Murdered LTU student Aiia Maasarwe. Just two short months later, hundreds crowded into the Agora for the LTSU hosted memorial service for victims of the Christchurch massacre. Both services were a respectful, somber and ultimately
beautiful tribute to those who had suffered such great loss. In 2019, LTSU was a driving force in campus life at City, Shepparton, Mildura and Bundoora campuses. A record 96 affiliated clubs fostered connections and kinship. The many club driven activities provided social opportunities and helped fill the Agora with colour and movement. The 2019 events calendar was diverse, engaging and community minded. Performance based activities such as La Trobe’s Got Talent and the varied Student Theatre program gave many students the chance to take to the stage and display their incredible talents. LTSU’s commitment to students in need remained a priority in 2019 through our Advocacy, Financial Counselling, and Legal Services. These core services were much sought after with over 2600 individual appointments for the Advocacy Service alone. LTSU continued to invest funds into its welfare program, providing free meal opportunities throughout semester as well as distributing food packs and offering scholarships based on financial need. A definite highlight of 2019 was the annual LTSU Gala Awards Night. Held in October, the awards paid tribute to students, clubs and teachers for their outstanding commitment to student life and also inducted the newest crop of LTSU Life Members. Congratulations to Michael Iroeche, Hariharan (Harry) Lakshmanan, Navida Ahsan, Kylie
La Trobe Student Leadership Conference D’Aloia, Rosina Byrne, Greg Wighton and Kerri-Lee Krause our 2019 Life Member inductees.
The LA TROBE UNIVERSITY STUDENT LEADERSHIP
LTSU’s success is reliant upon the support and assistance of many stakeholders and I would like to thank our members, volunteers and elected office bearers. In 2019, our president- Abd al-Rahman Shehada- led our group of passionate, hardworking student representatives onto many successes. LTSU is proud of their endeavor and their commitment to enhancing the experience for all who attend La Trobe University.
The SLC provides student leaders with the
I would also like to thank our staff across all campuses for their professionalism and dedication to the students of La Trobe University. In 2019 the staff worked tirelessly to ensure our services were delivered seamlessly and our events and activities were always relevant, enriching and student centric. Finally, I would like to thank La Trobe University for the continued good will, financial and in-kind support given to LTSU throughout 2019. The activity and services that we offered would not have been possible without this support, and I would like to pay particular homage to Student Services and Administration, Student Success, Infrastructure & Operations, ICT and Human Resources. I also acknowledge and thank the many academic and professional staff across both the SHE and ASSC colleges who support and assist the LTSU all year round.
CONFERENCE (SLC)* was developed to connect and
AWESOME FACTS
induct student leaders from across the University.
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opportunity to gain skills, advance their professional
as guest speakers. In 2019 guest speakers
development and to connect with their peers.
The 2019 SLC was held at the Mildura Campus
over four days in late November 2018+ and was
hosted by the Mildura Students Association (MSA). The SLC was attended by students and staff from
The conference program featured
presentations from senior LTU leaders as well included – James Price and Stephen Parr (LGBTIQ representatives). Paula Bruce (Equality and
Womens’ Rights) Deborah Bogen-Huber (Food
Next Door) and Ali Cupper and Sen Jackie Lambie (Government representatives).
across all LTU campuses- Bundoora, City, Bendigo,
2/
association staff attended the conference. The
Australia and panel discussions with thought
Mildura, Shepparton and Wodonga. Eleven student 59 students who were present gained a deeper
understanding and knowledge of their leadership
roles and had the opportunity to share their ideas, visions and goals.
* The SLC was funded by La Trobe University via SSAF project funding
+ The conference was hosted with advanced 2019 funding
The 2019 SLC gave students a chance to
participate in workshops such as Think Productive provoking agendas.
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It wasn’t all hard work. Conference guests
had plenty of time to relax and enjoy beautiful,
sunny Mildura. Social events included communal
breakfasts, a paddle steamer cruise on the Murray river, dockside social night and the Conference formal dinner.
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Marketing & Communications
9
2019 saw the LTSU continue to connect
WEBSITE latrobesu.org.au
WHAT WE LEARNED IN 2019
a range of mediums. We saw the
Total Users Total Unique Sessions
THAT WE CAN BE BETTER HUMANS: Our
1/
a Better Human. Easy steps for Empathy.
in welfare events were the Weekly BBQ, Weekly
and communicate with students through sustained trend for online engagement,
with an increase in users visiting the LTSU website – latrobesu.org.au, liking and
interacting with us on social media, and
Busiest Day
Users: February 27 with 860 users Page Views: February 28 with 5,718 page views
Top 3 Pages
Homepage /Clubs /Events
clicking through on our LTSU e-news. As
always – the LTSU planner was a massive hit, with requests for planners long after
44,263
Top 5 User Locations
we’d given away the last one!
User Age Demographics
THAT WE COME TOGETHER IN A CRISIS: The
Facebook post with the most reach was of the
LTU community coming together for a vigil for Christchurch in early 2019.
THAT STUDENTS LOVE A FLASHBACK:
Our most popular Instagram post was the
18 – 24 = 25.95% 25 - 34 = 46.12% 35 – 44 = 13.75% 45+ = 14.18%
Flash Back to Freshies 2019, with pics from Orientation Week’s Roaring 2019 Freshies Party.
THAT EVERYONE LOVES A WALL-PLANNER: In
SOCIAL MEDIA Page
Followers
Average Post Reach
Facebook /LaTrobeStudentUnion
10 217
1 849
Facebook /LTSUActivities
9 856
1 557
BE A BETTER HUMAN and speakers from LTSU and a huge
campaign. This was a grassroots
La Trobe University. In all, 1100 people
successful Be A Better Human
initiative, born by students for students, that aimed to shift the culture around
sexual harassment and sexual assault, championing consent, empathy and respect.
The campaign was launched in the
Agora in April 2019, with panel guests
turn out from students and staff across engaged throughout the event.
The three key messages of Be A Better
Human were for students to:
1. Learn and talk about consent and actively practice seeking it from other people.
Consent. Respect – with a reach of 13 368 over 2019.
Australia - 88.14% USA – 3.82% India – 1.87% China – 0.51% Japan – 0.5%
A highlight of 2019 was the hugely
Facebook pages most popular video – Be
2. Respect every person’s rights to autonomy and identity.
3. Show empathy for other students and their lived experiences and
reach out to check that they’re ok. The campaign was extremely popular
and had the greatest reach of all posted content on social media throughout 2019.
2019, the LTSU wall planner was once again a
massive hit, with requests for planners coming in long after the last one was given away.
AWESOME FACTS In 2019, The LTSU continued its strong welfare
program to support (and feed!) students. Included Breakfast, Weekly Chill-Out Trolley and Exam Help Stalls. Hundreds of students benefitted from the
LTSU services every week. That’s 10,500 BBQ snacks annually alone!
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The students have spoken and have
said they love a good movie! In 2019, LTSU organised 6 screenings - both on campus and at local cinemas -and have given away over 120 passes for students to check out the newest releases. In September, 500 students settled into a sold-out Agora for LTSU’s screening of Captain Marvel.
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Events are a big part of all LTU campuses. Shepparton, Mildura and City Campus respectively all ran their own excellent LTSU funded events throughout the year.
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Events and Activities In 2019, LTSU continued to lead
the charge with engaging, student focused events both on and off
campus. These events helped to
enrich campus life and enhanced the student experience for LTU’s fantastically diverse population.
SEMESTER 1 events Be A Better Human Campaign
*
SEMESTER 2 events
1100
Bollywood Night
365
Christchurch Vigil
200
British India
152
Clubs Fest Semester 1
3600
Clubs fest Semester 2
Food Truck Wednesdays x 8
2000
Multicultural Festival: Faith and Spiritual Diversity Day
300
G'Day Drinks Semester 2
600
Hip Hop Night
136
2019 array of carefully planned
activities included Orientation Week
Freshies Party
849
events, multicultural festivals, parties,
G'Day Drinks Semester 1
750
speed friending, live music, film
“Juggling Act” Rent, Rights & Money
screenings (including the moonlight
M’light Cinema - Avengers Infinity War
500
National Reconciliation Week
250
events. This program of events
provides opportunities for students to nurture friendships, build on
their academic learning, and feel connected to their campus.
1200
151
440
workshops and exceptional club
Big Stress Out! - Stress Less Sem 2
*
BookSmart Screening
End of Exams Party Semester 1
cinema), theatre and arts festivals,
Clubs and Societies
58
Welcome Back Week
1500
ReOrientation
1500
Pride
800
Stress Less Semester 1
450
Post Grad Cafe Crawl
45
Residential Recovery Breakfast Post Grad Spider Man Screening Managing Money Workshop Sem 1 Post Grad Cafe Crawl Rang Barse - Holi Festival
300 45 4 45 600
ISA - Cultural Exchange Day
200+
ISA - Phillip Island Trip (May)
38
ISA Grampians Trip
50
ISA - Wilsons Promentary Trip
34
Post Grad - Phillip Island Trip
103
MSA - La Trobe University Ball and Graduate Dinner
176
* Attendance
1800
Hobbs and Shaw Movie Screening
55
Hunger Free Week (4 Days x meals distributed)
1200
Indian Independence Day
500
Captain Marvel Movie Screening
500
Multicultural Festival: Indigenous Day
500
Pathways to Possibilities
400
Pakastani Independence Day
400
RU OK Day?
1200
Speed Friending
100
LTSU Awards & Scholarship Gala
165
Multicultural Festival: All Nations Day
800
Open Day Club Stalls
600
Post Grad Grampians Trip
85
Womens Rep Latitude Arvo
30
ISA - Lake Mountain Snow Trip
50
Post Grad Mount Buller Excursion Managing Money Workshop Sem 2
100 15
ISA - La Trobe's Got Talent
160
Orientation Welcome Expo
600
LTSU’s affiliated CLUBS AND
SOCIETIES provide the perfect
opportunity for students to connect and get involved on Campus.
The LTSU provides administrative and financial assistance to these groups and we work with club
executives to ensure things run smoothly.
AWESOME FACTS 1/
In 2019, a record 96 Clubs and
Societies affiliated with LTSU, with over 1330 new members signing up as to
one of our groups. Clubs range from
social to political, from faith based to
academic and from dancing to board games. There really is something for everyone.
2/
In 2019, 39 of our 96 clubs
were Academic Societies. Academic societies give support to students within their area of study as well
as providing social outlets for likeminded people.
3/
LTSU will always welcome new
clubs and the devoted Clubs Officer will help to make it happen. In 2019,
we welcomed the newly formed Chess Club to the fold. Checkmate!
SLICE OF THE PIE – how the grant funding was distributed
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Student Theatre and Film STUDENT THEATRE AND FILM (STF) are
major contributors to the arts and cultural life of La Trobe University. Their annual program of events give students the opportunity to
direct, write, perform, crew, and compose for stage and screen. The program also draws
on the talents of musicians and singers from
our student community. Student Theatre and Film is managed by an Artistic Director and supported by an Office Coordinator and a
range of casual staff and student volunteers. In 2019, STF focused on creating a greater sense of community among our students
and attempted to connect with the broader artistic and cultural community on campus.
We started running community-based events outside of our main program of events to encourage deeper connections between
members of our community. This included
fortnightly play reading events in semester two as well as a networking an event run
with Monash Uni Student Theatre (MUST) for emerging theatre-makers.
STUDENT THEATRE PROGRAM 2019 Moat Festival – the longest continuously running student
theatre festival in Australia, a two-week season of plays, films, and other activities.
Cabaret – a season of songs presented in a theatrical setting. Short Works – student written plays, directed, and performed by students.
Activate – a season of full length plays, usually contemporary and with a cutting edge feel.
Awards and Scholarships The LTSU AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIP Gala is an opportunity to acknowledge and reward
2019 LTSU SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
dedication and excellence shown by LTU
individuals and clubs. A number of scholarships
are also awarded to assist students with financial need complete their studies 2019 included the
addition of two new student leadership awards, Volunteer of the Year and the Regional Commitment Award.
Type of Scholarship
Number Awarded
Amount Received
Gold
5
$1500
Silver
3
$1200
Bronze
2
$800
In addition to the scholarships, LTSU awarded 10 study subsidies valued at $150 each
2019 LTSU AWARD WINNERS Type of Award
Name of Award
Recipient
Prize Received
Clubs and Societies
Club of the Year Award
Students for Sensible Drug Policy
$1000 cash prize
Clubs and Societies
Academic Society of the Year Botany and Plant Ecology Society
Clubs and Societies
Best Club or Society Event
PAM HDR Student Society
$1000 grant
Student Leadership
International Student
Francisco Gonzalez
$800 cash prize
Nugent, Davina Wright, with contributions from the cast, and An
Student Leadership
Postgraduate Leadership
Pranithchander Kyatham
$800 cash prize
Unexpected Chorus – written by Scott Leopold.
Student Leadership
LTSU Student Leadership
Alex Vollebergh
$1000 cash prize
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Student Leadership
LTSU Volunteer of the Year
Vikas Shastrula
$500 cash prize
Student Leadership
Regional Commitment
Olga Novak
$500 cash prize
Student Theatre & Film
The Geoffrey Milne Writing
Scott Leopold
$1000 cash prize
Teaching
Research Supervisor Award
Dr. Begoña Heras – Associate
Trophy, certificate
AWESOME FACTS 1/
In 2019 STF staged 19 productions with 81 performances, 175
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Notably, 15 original works were created by students, including
student participants and nearly 1,600 audience members.
three full length plays in the Activate Season – Time to Go written by Walt Dyson, Burn, but don’t cry – written by Nathan Milne, Claudia
As part of the focus on community-building, STF created a
survey for the end of 2019 to gather the opinions of our community about our programs and what the students would want from their community. The results were overwhelmingly positive.
“STF encourages collaboration and creative freedom to make theatre that takes our interest and passion” STF Member, 2019 STF Survey
Teaching
Award
LTSU Teaching Award
$1000 grant
PAM Research Symposium –
Professor Biochemistry & Genetics Dr. Ben Habib - Senior Lecturer Politics Media & Philosophy
and name on
perpetual plaque Trophy, certificate and name on
perpetual plaque
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Student Advocacy Service
Financial Counselling
The LTSU STUDENT ADVOCACY
semester 2, a dedicated advocacy
The LTSU FINANCIAL COUNSELLING SERVICE
students experiencing difficulties
easier for those seeking assistance.
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or welfare issue. Its operational
The LTSU POSTGRADUATE
2,667 separate appointments, with
to assist students without bias or
support Graduate Research Students
students seeking assistance.
SERVICE provides support for
with an academic, administrative
independence allows the advocates influence from the University. The
service is confidential, professional and free.
In 2019, the Advocacy team
continued their committed support to La Trobe University students. In
phone line was introduced to make it
AWESOME FACTS A lot of appointments: In 2019,
the Advocacy Service conducted
STUDENT ADVOCATE continued to
872 individual cases and a total of 611
in 2019 through casework with
2/
individual students, participation in meetings of the Graduate
Research Representatives (Graduate
Researchers Team), and collaboration with the University on issues affecting graduate researchers’ well-being.
A lot of emails: Our Advocacy team
received over 3,307 emails from students in 2019. Over 500 of those were sent to the dedicated advocacy mailbox: ltsu_ advocacy@latrobe.edu.au.
3/
A lot of phone calls: In 2019, our
2019 was another busy year for those working behind the scenes to make a difference to campus life. Student
representatives have worked extremely
system of decision-making bodies
they have dealt with a broad range of issues and have made an important contribution to positive long-term
change for all students at La Trobe Some of the important issues we
worked on with the Uni included:
• The Student Leadership, Liaison and Advisory Group
• The Student Success Taskforce
2/
sustainable future.
unaffordable University fees and mental health concerns.
International Students comprised a large proportion of
financial counselling clients in 2019. Assisatance with budgeting
In 2019, financial difficulties continued to
and fee repayments enabled many to continue their tertiary
students. Approximately 100 students attend
3/
be a major source of stress for many LTU
studies.
appointments, offered at the office, via
food bags to clients who did not have enough food for the week,
telephone or Zoom video conferencing. Every
In 2019, the Financial Counselling service distributed fifty
and over forty shopping vouchers to those who had insufficient
with an average of 3.4 additional hours (per
the service conducted financial capability workshops at the
situation. Emergency relief provided was in
designed for LTU students were produced in-house teach
program, aimed at fostering authentic institutions across the country
service is to help students establish a financially
term financial issues. An important goal of the
receiving more than 100 calls per month!
Fee policies and procedures
student partnership at tertiary
Other issues rising in severity included debt management,
most prevalent issue for the LTSU Financial Counselling service.
4/
infrastructure
• The Student Voice Australia pilot
to help address both immediate and long-
The service implements a combined approach
In 2019, the need for budgeting assistance became the
multiple sessions. In 2019, 267 individual
• Improvements to University
their participation in the University’s
voices heard at the University. Through
1/
2,000 in return. The dedicated Advocacy
• Safety on campus
• Reviewing and updating the Student
provides practical and problem-solving support.
advocates received almost 1,000 phone
enquiry line was an immediate success
hard to get students’ perspectives and
HELPFUL FACTS
student visiting the service has needs specific
calls from students and placed more than
Policy
assists students manage financial issues and
Our students also sat on high level University Committees, including: • Academic Board • Academic Quality Committee • Admissions Committee • Education Committee • Coursework Committee • Regional Committee
to them. Cases can be complicted and involve financial counsellling sessions were conducted
income to pay bills or buy food for an extended period.
The Financial Counselling Service remained committed
to helping students sustain long-term financial security. In 2019
student) spent managing the spoecifics of the
beginning of each semester. New media programs specifically
addition to this in-deth case work.
students about financial health in a fun and accessible way.
15
16
Student Legal Service
Volunteers
AWESOME FACTS 1/
In 2019 an estimated 540
students volunteered with LTSU. Of In 2019, the LTSU LEGAL SERVICE*
and completing legal research and
and professional legal advice and
Legal Service assisted students
1/
including Centrelink debts, fines,
LTSU Legal service, an 18% increase
Contract Law. In 2019, 148 individual
significant proportion of the problems
Many of these returned for multiple
employment (10%) issues.
continued to offer free, confidential assistance to students at La Trobe University. The service operated for three days per week during
the academic year. This included
the heavily utilised drop-in service that was available on Wednesday mornings. In Semester 2, LTSU engaged Belinda Catalano-a
student from the La Trobe University Law school- as an intern. Belinda was an excellent addition to the
service, allowing more efficiently
management of the drop-in service LEGAL SERVICE CLIENTS
admin tasks. In 2019, The LTSU
with a diverse range of legal issues
AWESOME FACTS We are there for students: In
2019, 148 individual clients visited the
tenancy issues, civil disputes and
from 2018. As in previous years, a
clients visited the LTSU Legal Service.
were concerned with tenancy (16%) and
appointments.
2/
* The LTSU Legal Service is delivered by West Heidelberg Legal Service at Banyule Community Health in collaboration with the La Trobe Student Union.
Helping the vulnerable: The LTSU
Legal Service consolidated its work
a hub for student volunteers to
was issued with a certificate of their
hear about upcoming volunteer
system is often curtailed by limits on
help reward those who willing give
access to legal help services. The LTSU
up their time.
University of Melbourne Student Union,
Deakin Burwood and Geelong and RMIT. Participation in the network has led to
increased collaboration within the student legal services sector, skill and knowledge
sharing and associations with surrounding community legal services including
Eastern CLC, Inner Melbourne, and West Justice.
Gala. Each milestone volunteer achievements.
engage with their peers and
provides incentives and benefits to
The SNL consists of the legal services at
volunteers were recognised at
areas within LTSU and to provide
negotiate a complex and unknown legal
Student Legal Services Network in 2019.
In 2019, 47 top-tier LTSU
La Trobe Student Union Awards
hard work that volunteers put in and
Part of Something Bigger: LTSU
2/
centralise the many volunteering
international students, whose ability to
assistance.
their hours on the Track it Forward logged an amazing 3,559 hours.
university to run smoothly. The LTSU VOLUNTEER PROGRAM+ aims to
Volunteer Program recognises the
place international students can turn to for
these, 362 registered and logged program. All up LTSU volunteers
events and programs across the
are particularly proud of our work with
Legal Service is often literally the only
VOLUNTEERING DEPARTMENTS
with their efforts helping countless
opportunities on campus. The LTSU
Legal service was an active member of the
PROBLEMS
an integral part of campus life
with vulnerable students in 2019. We
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TYPES OF LEGAL
Student volunteers have long been
PARTICIPANTS
In 2019, over 500 student volunteers devoted their time and energy
to the LTSU Volunteer Program.
The program was run across the Bundoora, Mildura, Shepparton and City Campuses. Volunteer
options included Student Theatre and Film events, Library tours, O
Week activities, Welfare initiatives (including the weekly BBQ), trips, parties and tours.
2019 also saw the introduction
to the “Volunteer Leadership
Scholarship” which was awarded to the volunteer that had gone
above and beyond in a volunteer
leadership role. The 2019 recipient
was Vikas Shastrula. Well done Vikas!
+ La Trobe Student Union is a member of Volunteering Victoria, the state’s peak representative body for volunteering.
3/
CAMPUS BREAKDOWN
4/
LTSU provides free training
opportunities for the dedicated
volunteers*. In 2019, we arranged training in Responsible Service of
Food and Alcohol (RSA/ FSH) and First Aid.
* Volunteers gain access to these training opportunities when they reach certain hours served milestones on Track It Forward.
“Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help” Heather French Henry
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MASO Mature Aged Students Organisation
ISA International Students Association
The Mature Aged Students Organisation (MASO)
In 2019, the International Students
provides support, representation and social
opportunities for mature aged (over 21yo) students studying at the Bundoora Campus. Mature aged
students often face challenges such as financial and
family commitments that can make completing their study that little more difficult, and the MASO team
are there to help. MASO’s student lounge provides a
friendly, warm place for mature aged students to meet and catch up with like-minded folks.
City Campus LTSU’s strong commitment to City Campus students solidified in 2019 with the semester 2 appointment of the first dedicated LTSU staff member. LTSU City
staff and OBs work collaboratively with LTU and the
community to enhance the student experience and to
assist those in need. In 2019, LTSU facilitated a diverse range of social, cultural and educational activities that
AWESOME FACTS
Trobe’s Got Talent Competition.
1/
their best creepy costumes and partied hard into the night.
at La Trobe University. Through a
members of ISA. The official ISA
audition, quarter- final, semi-final
seminars, language clubs and multi-
In 2019, MASO’s most popular event was the very
series of initiatives including trips,
Facebook page had 2,300 followers
and grand-final rounds. The 2019
with 2,200 likes.
grand final was a spectacular affair
cultural events, the ISA enhanced the
2/
held at the Odeon. The 2019 La Trobe’s got Talent winners were
It was a killer good time.
2/
in 2019, including the welcome Carnival, mid semester morning tea and Easter egg hunt.d by all.
experience of international students far beyond the walls of the classroom. The
ISA has its’s own elected committee and executive. The 2019 ISA president was Carson (Haochen) Cai.
AMAZING FACTS 1/
Events at City Campus are popular and well attended.
Favourites included Orientation day, RUOK day, the scavenger hunt and career workshops.
2/
In 2019, the City Campus Social (media) Group was
established to build the community and help students stay connected 24/7.
support for students facing academic and financial
journey. In 2019, face to face advocacy was to provide
Many students at City Campus are international
students who face a range of hurdles in their academic support unique to those studying at the City Campus.
Over 100 students auditioned for
the competition which ran through
to international students enrolled
MASO continued to host family friendly activities
In 2019, 820 international
students formally registered as
scary Halloween Murder Mystery night. Students donned
3/
hardship.
AWESOME FACTS
support, guidance and representation
1/
help create a vibrant, inclusive campus atmosphere. It
also offered advocacy, financial counselling and welfare
Association (ISA) continued to provide
Event and activities remained
the staple of the ISA program. In 2019, ISA organised 12 events for each semester. The events
Greeshma Kodiripaka and Uthara Narayanan.
comprised of trips (including the
4/
to see the penguins), Orientation
of volunteers and 2019 was no
Cultural Exchange Day, Multicultural
230 volunteers registered on our
These volunteers helped to ensure
ever-popular Phillip Island jaunt
ISA have always relied
heavily on their dedicated group
activities, Seminars, Club events,
exception. on volunteers. In 2019
Festival, and La Trobe’s Got Talent.
Facebook and 260 ISA WebChat.
3/
that the ISA programs ran smoothly
A real highlight of the 2019
calendar year was the ISA run La
and that a good time was had by all.
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MSA Mildura Students Association The Mildura Students Association (MSA) is the student representative body of the
AWESOME FACTS
2/
The MSA’s support of students
Mildura Campus at La Trobe University. MSA
1/
social interactions for students on and off
Events included Orientation
and included assistance for issues
range of social and cultural, educational and
nights, International Women’s
MSA hosted BBQS, ran the chillout
the welfare of all Mildura Students.
Day, Celebrating PRIDE and the
hygiene products, facilitated a
2019 was a year of change for the MSA with
Mildura’s beautiful Willow and Ivie
collaboratively with local community
provides support and opportunities for
In 2019 MSA kept the
events calendar rolling along.
at the Mildura Campus in 2019
ranged from advocacy to welfare
unique to regional students. In 2019,
campus. We promote and facilitate a diverse
Day, free BBQ’s, open Uni social
recreational activities, which contribute to
Day, Harmony/Market Day, RUOK
trolley, dispensed free personal
annual Graduation Ball held at
foodbank program and worked
restaurant.
services to provide care for students
new branding, the election of a dynamic
new committee and several staff changes.
2019 also saw the acquisition of assets for
the MSA who invested in a new bain marie for continuing events and new storage
shelves to accommodate ever-expanding
equipment, merchandise and other goods.
A BIG THANK YOU
experiencing hardship.
MSA would like to thank both Rosina Byrne, who
supported the MSA for over five years with enthusiasm and dedication and Nadine Malycha who stepped into very big shoes and ensured events and activities continued to roll out across the campus for 2019.
SSA Shepparton Students Association The Shepparton Students
Association (SSA) is a student
AWESOME FACTS
representative body of the
1/
Trobe University. In 2019 SSA
Shepparton Campus with SSA
support Shepparton students
Shepparton students can purchase
academic and welfare initiatives.
have been super popular and been
Shepparton Campus at La
In 2019 the SSA, introduced
new merchandise onto the
continued to work hard to
Hoodies. This is the first time the
through a range of social,
‘Shepparton Merchandise’. These selling like hotcakes!
2/
In 2019 the SSA, continued
to offer many social activities and
events from Weekly BBQ’s, to formal events, to career and wellbeing
events. But our most successful
event was Harmony Day where our Shepparton students dressed up
and offered music, dance and food from their own cultures. Magic!
3/
In 2019 the SSA, supported the
nursing cohort with subsidised First Aid and CPR training to about 20% of the student nurses.
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Students & Staff 2019 Title
Name
General Manager
Elissa Khoury
Advocacy Coordinator
Howard Wilson, then Kat Nordern
Advocate / Research Officer
Kat Nordern
Advocate (Postgraduate)
Dr Heidi Ellemor
Advocate
April Vocale
Financial Counsellor
Robyn Angus
Finance Coordinator
Melinda Petrolo and Sisca Wijayanti
Office Coordinator
Louise Newton Keogh
Reception and Volunteers Officer
Lisa Huntington
Operations Coordinator
Danielle Mengel, then Helen Mayers
Clubs and Societies Officer
Greg Wighton
Activities and Events Officer
Andre Hillas
Events Assistant
Sai Raj Bolla
Graphic Designer
Nicki Johnson
Student Legal Officer
Rebecca Sharkey
President – Yasmeen Khurshid
Artistic Director, Student Theatre and Film
Bob Pavlich
SSA (Shepparton Students Association):
Office Coordinator, Student Theatre and Film
Kat Carrington
Coordinator, ISA
Yan (Sean) Xu
City Campus Administration and Liaison Officer
Rosina Byrne
Student Support Officer, MSA
Rosina Byrne, then Nadine Malycha
Student Support Officer, SSA
Kylie D’Aloia
1st January 2019 – 30th December 2019 NUS Delegates: Michael Iroeche, Annabelle
Romano, Abd Alrahman Shehada, Lois villar, Andrew Sanders, Elliot Downes, Paige Wiles General Members: Hibak Hassan; Anisha
Behl; Sabbir Anwar Khan; Khurram Saqib; Tyson Meiselbach; Ruby Bennett; Sajani Prajapati
Activities Committee: Lainie Inverno;
Samuel Chung; Luke Judd; Karli Angleton; Roshan Manne
Postgraduate Committee: Muhammad
Zeeshan Shafiq; Lovee Jain; Muhib Hassan Khan; Ngoc Do Hong; Li Tainyi
ASSOCIATES ISA (International Students Association): President – Carson (Haochen) Cai
MSA (Mildura Students Association):
President – Thomas Schmitt
MASO (Mature Age Students Association): President – Kate De Witte
(contracted from West Heidelberg Community Legal Service)
F
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Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2019
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n Students Association (SSA), MASO (Mature Age Student Association), discounts, food & drink on campu BBQs, Thursday market, membership program, Secondhand Bookshop, publications, newspapers, service p cinema tickets, reception & sales, lounges, activities & events, entertainment, clubs & societies, Studen tre and Film, productions, merchandise, Rabelais student newspaper, locker hire, awards and scholarship and tours, training and short courses, LTSU newsletter, advocacy, student support, postgraduate suppor cial counselling, student legal service, emergency housing, student representatives, International Stude ation (ISA), Mildura Students Association (MSA), Shepparton Students Association (SSA), MASO (Mature A dent Association), discounts, food & drink on campus, free BBQs, Thursday market, membership program ondhand Bookshop, publications, newspapers, services, cheap cinema tickets, reception & sales, lounges es & events, entertainment, clubs & societies, Student Theatre and Film, productions, merchandise, Rabe t newspaper, locker hire, awards and scholarships, trips and tours, training and short courses, LTSU news advocacy, student support, postgraduate support, financial counselling, student legal service, emergenc ing, student representatives, International Student Association (ISA), Mildura Students Association (MSA pparton Students Association (SSA), MASO (Mature Age Student Association), discounts, food & drink on pus, free BBQs, Thursday market, membership program, Secondhand Bookshop, publications, newspape ces, cheap cinema tickets, reception & sales, lounges, activities & events, entertainment, clubs & societie nt Theatre and Film, productions, merchandise, Rabelais student newspaper, locker hire, awards and sch ips, trips and tours, training and short courses, LTSU newsletter, advocacy, student support, postgraduat ort, financial counselling, student legal service, emergency housing, student representatives, Internation ent Association (ISA), Mildura Students Association (MSA), Shepparton Students Association (SSA), MASO re Age Student Association), discounts, food & drink on campus, free BBQs, Thursday market, membersh gram, Secondhand Bookshop, publications, newspapers, services, cheap cinema tickets, reception & sale s, activities & events, entertainment, clubs & societies, Student Theatre and Film, productions, merchand is student newspaper, locker hire, awards and scholarships, trips and tours, training and short courses, LT etter, advocacy, student support, postgraduate support, financial counselling, student legal service, eme y housing, student representatives, International Student Association (ISA), Mildura Students Associatio , Shepparton Students Association (SSA), MASO (Mature Age Student Association), discounts, food & dri mpus, free BBQs, Thursday market, membership program, Secondhand Bookshop, publications, newspap ces, cheap cinema tickets, reception & sales, lounges, activities & events, entertainment, clubs & societie nt Theatre and Film, productions, merchandise, Rabelais student newspaper, locker hire, awards and sch ips, trips and tours, training and short courses, LTSU newsletter, advocacy, student support, postgraduat ort, financial counselling, student legal service, emergency housing, student representatives, Internation ent Association (ISA), Mildura Students Association (MSA), Shepparton Students Association (SSA), MASO re Age Student Association), discounts, food & drink on campus, free BBQs, Thursday market, membersh gram, Secondhand Bookshop, publications, newspapers, services, cheap cinema tickets, reception & sale s, activities & events, entertainment, clubs & societies, Student Theatre and Film, productions, merchand is student newspaper, locker hire, awards and scholarships, trips and tours, training and short courses, LT etter, advocacy, student support, postgraduate support, financial counselling, student legal service, eme y housing, student representatives, International Student Association (ISA), Mildura Students Associatio , Shepparton Students Association (SSA), MASO (Mature Age Student Association), discounts, food & dri mpus, free BBQs, Thursday market, membership program, Secondhand Bookshop, publications, newspap
