STAFF CO-CONVENOR

Lorelle is Dean (Students) at UniSQ and Co‑Convenor of the Student Voice Australasia Steering Committee. An internationally recognised psychology educator with 30 years in higher education, she is deeply committed to student voice, equity, and wellbeing. She has received national teaching awards and continues to champion inclusive, innovative learning experiences that support diverse students to thrive.

STUDENT CO-CONVENOR

Gazzal Duggal is a Bachelor of Nursing student at UniSQ, actively involved in residential leadership, student advocacy, and community engagement. She is passionate about supporting international, culturally diverse, and underrepresented students, with a strong focus on wellbeing and inclusion. Gazzal hopes to amplify diverse perspectives and help build more collaborative, student‑centred university environments.

STUDENT MEMBER

Alex (they/them) is a queer, disabled student at Melbourne Law School with interests in Disability Justice, intersectionality, and Universal Design for Learning. Achieving First‑Class Honours in Disability Human Rights Law and attending UN COSP18 led to joining the US‑ICD Youth Committee. They are CAPA Disability Officer and a Graduate Disability Representative at their University.

STAFF MEMBER

Bonnie is currently the Head of Student Support and Success at TAFE Gippsland, where she leads a passionate team working to remove barriers and support student success. She has over 25 years’ experience across community services, mental health, and education, with a strong focus on equity cohorts and lived experience.  Bonnie is a big believer in listening to students and her team, learning together, and designing supports that genuinely make a difference—and is always up for a chat. 

STUDENT MEMBER

Chloe is the elected undergraduate student member on the University of Technology Sydney Council, studying a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Economics. She serves on eight boards and committees, contributing to governance and strategy across the university. Chloe is passionate about student voice, academic partnership, and effective governance that enables meaningful student contribution.

STAFF MEMBER

Lydia is Head of Student Life at the University of Sydney, where she leads initiatives that enhance the student experience through innovative support programs, compliance assurance, and collaborative partnerships across the institution. Passionate about developing inclusive, student-centered environments, Lydia is keen to enable student partnerships and to support the work of SVA across institutions.

STAFF MEMBER

Michelle is Director of Student Engagement and Success at Griffith University. With over 30 years’ experience, she has led major initiatives that strengthen student engagement, partnerships, and success. She has established units focused on success and retention and built partnership programs. Michelle is committed to student‑centred service design and using meaningful metrics to drive improvement across the student experience.

STUDENT MEMBER

Will is a fourth‑year Cybersecurity and Law student at Deakin University, serving as a student advisor and sitting on the Student Access Advisory Group. In 2024, he developed Deakin’s faculty‑wide student guide for GenAI and now advises on sector‑wide GenAI groups. He brings strategic thinking, technical literacy, and expertise bridging institutional policy with grassroots student experience.

STAFF CO-CONVENOR

Kate is Senior Coordinator, Student Representation and Partnerships at Flinders University and Co‑Convenor of the SVA Operational Committee. With extensive national experience in student engagement, she focuses on strengthening partnership and representation. A committed advocate for social justice and inclusive practice, she connects students, academics, and staff. Kate also currently serves as the elected professional staff member on Flinders University Council.

STUDENT CO-CONVENOR

Smridhi is a Master of Finance student at Griffith University with a background in Finance and Business and interests in governance, decision‑making, and how financial systems shape opportunity. Originally from India, she brings an international student perspective informed by diverse academic environments. She has been part of Rotaract International for seven years, contributing to community and youth‑led initiatives.

STUDENT MEMBER

Jen’s interests are in equity, public policy, governance, and conflict resolution. They have over five years’ experience on national representative committees in the tertiary and non‑for‑profit sectors. They have represented Australia at the Humanitarian Affairs Global Peace Summit and contributed to programs in Zambia. Jen has also spoken at Times Higher Education Campus Live, HEDx and more.

STAFF MEMBER

Kelly leads the Student Wellbeing and Partnership Programs team at Murdoch University, combining her background in Community Development and EDI with lived experience as an international student. She centres curiosity and collaboration in co‑designing a Student Voice Framework that promotes equitable, accessible partnership opportunities and values the wisdom and experience enabled through SVA Networks.

STUDENT MEMBER

Laura is a student representative at Charles Sturt University, bringing strong lived‑experience perspectives to her advocacy for equity and student voice. Originally from Dubbo on Wiradjuri Country, she completed a Diploma of Nursing through TAFE before a Bachelor of Health and Medical Science and now a Bachelor of Science (Honours). She contributes to student‑led initiatives across the University.Description goes here

STAFF MEMBER

Melissa is the Senior Manager, Student Relations at the UoW. Through oversight of student representation, student partnership, and student voice initiatives, Melissa champions a community‑of‑partnership philosophy, working to embed authentic collaboration across the institution. With more than two decades of experience in student engagement, Melissa promotes transparent, accountable practice and deeply values shared decision‑making.

STAFF MEMBER

Sara is Manager, Student Voice and Partnerships at Griffith University and brings 23 years of higher education experience to her work elevating student voice. She leads Griffith’s Student Voice and Partnerships Framework and delivers high‑impact engagement initiatives. Sara collaborates nationally to strengthen partnership practice and is committed to inclusive, culturally grounded approaches that empower students as leaders.

STUDENT MEMBER

Shishtata Bhandari is an international student from Nepal in her final semester of BIT at Charles Darwin University. President of the CDU Student Council since 2025, she works with staff and student representatives to strengthen student voice. Through leadership roles, she has developed an interest in collaborative decision‑making and inclusive processes and is committed to enhancing student experience and wellbeing.

STAFF GUEST

Tina Whitmore is Student Engagement and Equity Manager at Holmesglen, with 11 years’ experience teaching and managing vocational programs in Disability and Training and Assessment. She is passionate about strengthening the student experience, student voice, and advancing inclusion and diversity across vocational education. Tina is committed to creating equitable, culturally safe, learner‑centred environments where all students can thrive.