2022 QUT student election results

Zoe Davidson (Grow) and Melina Skidmore (Grow) have been provisionally elected as President and Engagement Officer for the 2023 QUT Student Guild.

Only two positions out of a possible 24 were contested over this week’s election, both of which were won by candidates from the progressive ticket, Grow.

Making the provisional declaration yesterday at the Grove Bar, QUT Student Guild returning officer Peter Travers suggested improved physical advertising to assist the Guild in reaching more students at election time.

‘Numbers this year were a little lower than last year, and while there was a contest, it’s a much reduced contest compared to what QUT has seen in the past and as some other universities see each year,’ Travers said.

‘I encourage you to [press on] regardless of if you’re successful in today’s election or not, the union will work better when there is cohesion and support.’

‘Make sure that you look outside of the union and try to engage the student population that you represent when you start in your role.’

‘I would certainly encourage those elected to office, including those elected unopposed, to make a real drive this year to connect and engage with students, and educate them … about the election.’

‘The union and election process will work when it is contested and vigorously contested by those involved.’

‘You will have a much better outcome and you will have a much better cohort if there is contest for it.’

A two-day period for appeals has now begun, after which the provisional results will be certified if unchallenged.

The result means that progressive ticket, Grow, will be the dominant faction at next year’s Student Representative Council, securing 12 of 14 executive positions, and six of ten faculty councillor positions.

Left Action have secured one executive position and three faculty councillor positions, as well as five of the seven available NUS delegates.

Postgraduate Students Officer, and one Business and Law Councillor will remain vacant into 2023.

Outgoing Student Guild President, Oscar Davison, welcomed the announcement.

‘I’m really happy for Zoe,’ Davison said.

‘This year, I’ve known her to be a pillar of decency and integrity.’

‘Her experience as Clubs and Societies Officer in 2022 will have taught her great lessons for what is needed from a President — I’m really looking forward to seeing what she can accomplish with her team over the next 12 months, and seeing further student engagement across all areas of the University.’

Guild President elect, 23-year-old Business and Education student, Zoe Davidson, was excited by the result.

‘The Grow team and myself are beyond pleased with the result,’ Davidson said.

‘As a team, we feel honoured to be entrusted with delivering strong advocation of student needs to QUT and also the continual introduction and improvement of current QUT Guild services and support.’

Unsuccessful Presidential candidate, 20-year-old Business student Tu-Ai Le (Independent) admitted he was ‘kinda glad’ (sic) he didn’t win the position.

‘I feel I [can] have a greater impact working directly with the clubs and societies,’ Le said.

‘Try, try, and keep trying — you only need to win once.’

‘Enjoy the journey not the destination, you only truly lose when you give up.’

Provisionally elected Engagement Officer, 42-year-old Melina Skidmore (Grow), is studying a Bachelor of Justice and Graduate Certificate in Business (Philanthropy and Non-Profit Studies).

‘I’m very humbled to have been elected as the Engagement Officer for 2023, and excited to be able to work with the entire university ecosystem to build an inclusive and engaging community for all students,’ Skidmore said.

‘I believe strong, collaborative, inclusive, and accessible engagement is a key to the success of any community.’

‘I look forward to bringing my extensive experience in this space to the QUT community for the benefit of students.’

Skidmore’s unsuccessful opponent, 22-year-old Creative Industries student, Shayla Hiu (Independent), said she was happy with the experience she gained from contesting the position.

‘I know that the opportunities and experiences I have gained at my time at QUT will still take me far and open other opportunities for me,’ Hiu said.

Bizarrely, Hiu is about to graduate, and therefore would not be eligible to begin the role in December, even if she had been elected.

When asked what would have happened had she won, Hiu seemed unfazed, and said she was happy to finish her ‘QUT journey’ on a positive note.

‘I would [have aimed] to create a more inclusive and diverse community at QUT,’ Hiu said.

The new team will take over from December 1st, 2022

The following candidates have been elected to 2023 positions:

Student Executives

President: Zoe Davidson (Grow)

Secretary: Aamna Asif (Grow)

Treasurer: Usama Shafiq (Grow)

Welfare Officer: John Longwill (Grow)

Education Officer: Emme Muggleton (Grow)

Engagement Officer: Melina Skidmore (Grow)

Clubs and Societies Officer: Madison Shepherd (Grow)

Queer Officer: Thanh Long “Oliver” Vu (Grow)

Women’s Officer: Sia Hills (Grow)

First Nations Officer: Ziphoria Minniecon (Grow)

Disabilities Officer: Harley Manley (Grow)

Environment Officer: Isabella Foley (Left Action)

International Students Officer: Moin Rahman (Grow)

*Guild Media Team: Ciaran Greig, Konstanz Muller Hering, Benjamin Steele, and Celeste Muller (Independent)

Faculty Councillors (Two people per position)

Science Councillors: Veronica Palk and Declan Kerr (Left Action)

Engineering Councillors: Georgie Dobbs (Left Action) and Samantha Burbidge (Grow)

Business and Law Councillors: Amay Small (Grow) and [vacant]

Health Councillors: Zac Hyde and Tegan O’Connor (Grow)

Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice Councillors: Dylan Barrett and Tom Hinchcliffe (Grow) 

Student Board Members

Olivia Brumm (Independent)

Jarrod Ward (Independent)

NUS Delegates

Sel Dowd (Left Action)

Darcey Rowan (Left Action)

Isabella Foley (Left Action)

Erin Milne (Left Action)

Declan Kerr (Left Action)

Zoe Davidson (Grow)

Aamna Asif (Grow)

The following positions will remain vacant at the start of 2023:

Postgraduate Students Officer (1)

Business and Law Councillor (1)

*Note: The Guild Media Team are the editors who produce Glass.
Tom Loudon
Tom Loudon

Tom (he/him) is a Meanjin/Brisbane based writer and the Editor in Chief at Glass Media. He has a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts (Creative Writing) and is currently studying Communications (Journalism) at QUT.

Articles: 75

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