Board

Position: Chairperson & Student Elected Director

Studying: Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Business in Human Resource Management

Goals for the role: Amplify the student voice. Prioritise student welfare and affordability. Invest student funds into services, clubs, and campus culture. Deliver accessible, student-focused events and support.

Contact: yeshaiah.varona@student.adelaide.edu.au

Position: Deputy Chairperson & Student Elected Director

Studying: Bachelor of Arts

Goals for the role: To promote left wing values and fight for social justice issues. We need to re-build strong student unions that can challenge the people in power to improve the lives of students.

Contact: alexander.bastiras@student.adelaide.edu.au

Position: Student Elected Director

Studying: Bachelor of Marketing

Goals for the role: I want to strengthen support for international and multicultural students, improve communication so student feedback drives meaningful action, promote student wellbeing, and help create a university community where every student feels represented, connected, and empowered.

Contact: jixuan.xia@student.adelaide.edu.au

Position: Student Elected Director

Studying: Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science

Goals for the role: Delivery of broader services for student, especially networking events like career expo.

Contact: yu-hsiang.ting@student.adelaide.edu.au

Position: Chair of Education Action Committee & Student Elected Director

Pronouns: He/ Him

Studying: Bachelor of Arts and Teaching

Goals for the role: To fight for a student union that takes a lead on questions affecting students.

Contact: jordan.armstrong@student.adelaide.edu.au

Position: Student Elected Director

Pronouns: She/ her

Studying: Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science

Goals for the role: To ensure students are heard, and advocate for practical solutions to issues like the cost of living, access to support, and campus life. I want to work collaboratively to achieve outcomes that genuinely improve the student experience.

Contact: tahseen.taiyabah@student.adelaide.edu.au

Position: Student Elected Director

Studying: Bachelor of Nursing

Goals for the role: To advocate for practical initiatives that improve student wellbeing, affordability, and academic success. This includes strengthening food security and cost-of-living support, improving academic resources, supporting international and first-year students, and that all campuses get equitable opportunities and services.

Contact: jennifer.tran01@student.adelaide.edu.au

Position: Student Elected Director

Pronouns: She/ her

Studying: Bachelor of Software Engineering (Honours)

Goals for the role: I want to help create a more supportive, inclusive, and accessible student experience, ensuring every student feels heard, valued, and connected to the university community.

Contact: hiruni.dabare@student.adelaide.edu.au

Position: Chair of Student Welfare Committee & Student Elected Director

Studying: Bachelor of Science majoring in Theoretical Physics

Goals for the role: Advocating for stronger clubs, higher-quality education, expanded student support services, and a stronger student voice. I also want to help build an inclusive and representative student association that students can trust.

Contact: saxon.mcdonald@student.adelaide.edu.au

Position: Chair of Governance and Policy Committee & Student Elected Director

Studying: Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Goals for the role: I want to strengthen transparency between the Board and students by ensuring student concerns are heard and acted upon, while advocating for a more inclusive, accessible, and collaborative university experience.

Contact: sarthak.gaire@student.adelaide.edu.au

Position: External Director

Goals for the role: Ensure services, organisational culture, and infrastructure enable a positive and memorable university experience for students.

Contact: LinkedIn

Position: Chair of Finance, Audit and Risk Committee & External Director

Pronouns: He/ him

Background: Experienced non-executive director, CFO, COO and CEO.

Goals for the role: Leverage my director and professional experience to assist AUSA deliver expanded and student informed services to all students and contribute to the overall success of AUSA and the University.

Contact: LinkedIn

Position: University Representative Director

Pronouns: She/ her

Background: Bachelor of Social Work (MBSW) with Mental Health Accreditation. Currently Director Specialist Student Support, University of Adelaide, looking after International Student Support, Access and Inclusion and First Nations Student Support. Previously worked at University of Adelaide, Flinders University and UniSA, leading student support and wellbeing services.

Goals for the role: To be an effective conduit between AUSA board and the University, as the inaugural Adelaide University Representative Board Director.