Candidate Data Appearing in the Ballot

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Hi, I’m Krista Healey, and I am running for the position of Mature Age Officer with the Activate team. I studying Bachelor of General Studies and have an interest in Disability Education.

As Mature Age Officer I will act as an advocate on behalf of mature age students. Mature age students face challengers that differ from other students, I will fight to make sure that the barriers facing Mature age students are minimized. As a progressive candidate I will work to make Flinders a safe and accepting environment for all students.

I look forward to the possibility working with Student Council, the University and the wider community to improve the experience of Mature Age Students.

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LET'S MAKE FLINDERS GREAT AGAIN.

Greetings all, my name is James Beaty. I am a Law and Legal Practice student here at Flinders and I'm running as your Mature Age Officer.

If you are like me you probably feel that things at Flinders are not exactly up to par. What I will do is demand a fairer go for students and see your issues are addressed by the University. I believe by lobbying the University and representing students like you we can create change for the better.

I am an honest bloke who wants to see your student experience improved. I do not shy away from issues and believe in fighting for what is right. At the end of the day I will do whatever is necessary to take your views and issues to the University to give you a real voice and to make things happen.

Vote for me and together let's shake shit up!

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Hello! My name is Khandaker Hoque. I am running for the position of Mature Age Officer of the Student Council 2017. I want to play an active role in the ongoing improvement of our University and its many facets. I see the position of a Mature Age Officer as an excellent way to be a part of a team that is involved not only in the current student’s lives, but also the bigger picture of providing a better place for future students. I am a mature age student and has multicultural back ground. I did Bachelor & Masters from overseas University. I did Bachelor, Post Graduate Diploma & Masters from Flinders University. Now I am studying Post Graduate Diploma in another subject area. I have a long experience on social work, voluntary work. I was the mentor for new students while I was studying Bachelor in Flinders Uni. Currently, I am the Chairperson of our local Community Association here in Adelaide. I believe, if I elected, I can make a valuable contribution for the mature age student in Flinders Uni. I would appreciate your vote for me, Khandaker Hoque, to serve on the Student Council.

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Having a young family, whilst working as a qualified chef for just over 10 years found me longing for a massive life change. Consequently, in 2012, I found my calling and I embarked on a combined Bachelor degree in Pre-Reg Nursing and Health Sciences majoring in Mental Health. This journey abruptly ended in 2015 following a significant MVA, and subsequently being left with permanent injuries. However, 2017 greeted me with new opportunities and hope, as I enrolled into the Bachelor of Social Work degree. As a mature age student myself, I feel I relate to the trials and triumphs from finding yourself back within a “school” environment and I completely empathise, sympathise and acknowledge the struggles with my peers. Being a Mature Age Student within the University setting encounters many challenges, from trying to balance your personal life, commitments and responsibilities with student workloads, assignments and weekly preparation, but is often accompanied with so many personal achievements and victories along the way of your chosen degree. The reward from studying definitely outweighs the struggle of semester stress.

I am running for the positon of Mature Age Officer because I feel I will make a positive contribution to the body of mature age students within Flinders University. I would be an asset to any team, as I bring a wealth of life experience, empathy, compassion and brilliant communication, effective listening and rapport building skills with me. Should my candidate statement see me as a successful representative, I will ensure I am positively advocating for my peers whilst making a significant difference to our minority group. I feel my proactive approach to all situations in life has provided me the skills to support, stand up for, research and appropriately refer, and liaise with others and my peers to provide progressive outcomes.

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The best person to this position is a person with a proven record of advocating on behalf of him/herself so that he/her knows how to advocate for others. I qualify well to this position because, during my 10year period at this university, I have witnessed many prejudices to students; especially to mature aged students. As the successful nominee, I will make full use of my knowledge as a law student to be an effective advocate to mitigate existing shortcomings experienced by, especially, mature aged students. I deem as a priority to improve communication between mature aged students, the Student Association, and the university.

My personal asset is that I strongly believe is social justice; and I abhor bullying of any sort, by anybody. I have previously stood strong against this university’s unjust administrative practices, which tended to undermine students’ rights; and proudly claim the substantiated privilege of overriding those outdated administrative processes.

I guarantee to allocate at least five (5) hours per week on duties to achieve my objectives of being the spokesperson for mature aged student, whilst coordinating and implementing campaigns on issues of importance to mature age students. I intend to ensure that mature age students are referred appropriately to relevant campus or non campus services in relation to personal and academic matters. By networking, I will ensure we will create liaison with other mature aged organisations and bodies on this campus, and also outside of this university.

I will gladly accept the responsibility to coordinate and implement campaigns to highlight issues important to mature aged students, and provide the Student Association with practical solutions for issues highlighted by these campaigns. Furthermore, I will ensure all campaigns proposed and initiated by mature aged students will be underpinned by the Flinders University’s 2025 agenda for ‘Achieving our Vision’; the New Academic and Professional Support Structure.

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My name is Joshua Nicholls and I am excited to be applying for the position of Mature Age Officer.

I am a full time student at Flinders University and I am studying a Bachelor of International Relations.

I have previous experience at St. Paul’s Old Scholars Football Club as a committee member and believe I have the appropriate personal attributes to be a valuable member of the student council. I am a very approachable person, good listener and a very good communicator.

This position interests me because I would like to become more involved at Flinders University and not just a student. Being a Mature Age Officer would also look very good upon completion of my degree.

As a 30 year old full time student at Flinders University, I can relate to issues that mature aged students may face at University and I would love the opportunity to listen to their needs and attempt to help those who need assistance.

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I am in my final year at Flinders. I have enjoyed studying here, met a lot of great people, and would like to give back to the community that has treated me so well. I am perfectly suited to represent students for the following reasons;

* I am a friendly, approachable person and can always make time for a chat.
* I have a genuine interest in the rights of all students.

If elected I will listen to issues brought to me, and ensure they’re addressed at FUSA meetings. I have worked in administration, in a youth-services office, and understand there can be difficulties in inter-office communication. I will ensure your concerns aren’t overlooked, that your concerns are heard.

Experience and a willingness to listen are the most important qualities needed for the position of Mature Age Officer, and they are the qualities I will bring if elected.

Joe Westley.

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Hello, my name is Amanda Moore and I would like to be considered for the position of Mature Age Officer. Let me tell you a little about myself. I am an American but I have been calling Adelaide home for the last six years. This is my first semester at Flinders, however this is not my first time at university. I studied at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Franciscan University of Steubenville in the states before taking a break and moving here. Living on campus and being involved with many clubs immersed me in student culture. I believe my experience of campus life would provide a valuable contribution to the work of FUSA.
At the end of this calendar year I turn 30. Being a mature aged student, I have more patience and understanding now than I did as a school leaver during my first go at uni. Much has changed in my life since my move from the USA. I have married my Aussie husband and we have had two children, ages 16 months and 3 years. My hope is to become a citizen of Australia after I sit the test in May. As a mother and an immigrant, I believe I can bring a unique perspective to the table at FUSA. I am eager to get involved and share my insights with my peers at Flinders.
Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to the opportunity to serve my fellow students as a member of the Student Council.

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There are many challenges that mature-age students face every day at the University and at home. Either it is study load, finances or time management at the University or it is having to look after family and making time for the family, mature age students bear more responsibilities than the rest of the students. Despite so many things happening in our lives, why are we still so committed to our study? The answer is our passion and our commitment to make the changes. To illustrate this, I would like to share my story.

Before coming to the University, I had a stable job as a full-time chef; my finance was great and hence, the life was great. However, I had this deep feeling of emptiness as my passion was far from the reality. That is why, in 2015, I chose my passion over everything else and applied to study at Flinders.

Now, I understand that many mature-age students go through this and I would like to be their voice and inspiration. I would like to help them pursue their passion and achieve their goal. Along the way, I would like to advocate for the interest of the mature-age students at Flinders. Specially, better student services that reflect mature-age student interests. Moreover, I would like to inspire more mature students to attend the Universities and go beyond.

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I wish to apply for the position of Mature Age Officer for the term of 7 April 2017 to 30 November 2017 as I believe being an active member of the University is beneficial in understanding how decisions are made and what principles the University embraces.

I have served on the Governing Council at my children’s school in Aldinga for the past two years, this year is my third year and I have taken on the secretary position. I enjoy being an active member of the school and have also enjoyed getting to know the people around me and hearing about their ideas for improvement and success for our school as well as being part of the changes that have already been put in place.

I enjoy brainstorming ideas for improvement and listening to what has worked for others in different areas. I have some ideas that I feel would be beneficial to the student cohort of Flinders University, these ideas are based on feedback received from students as well as my own personal experience, it would be great to have the opportunity to share and discuss these ideas with the Student Council.

It would be a pleasure to work alongside a group of passionate, dedicated, driven people who are interested in making Flinders University the best that it can be. I am proud to be part of a highly successful University and look forward to sharing my ideas with the group.