LTSU 2019 Annual Report

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,

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

F1

Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2019

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F4

F5

F6

F7

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F9

F10

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F12

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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