Hey! I’m Tom (He/Him), and I’m a History student in my first year. I am proud to be running for Humanities Faculty Representative for 2025.
I’ve always had a passion for improving the rights and conditions of ordinary people. As a stalwart trade unionist, I’ve been involved with a broad spectrum of progressive causes. Last year, as a casual at Coles, I was honoured to take part in the first industrial action ever taken against an Australian supermarket, and amazed by the solidarity shown to our movement by the broader progressive cause. The age-old, progressive legacy of struggle and solidarity extends to students (and staff!) across the country, who are today faced with ridiculous debt, unstable housing and cuts to the funding of our increasingly for-profit education system. I have a fair amount of experience with organising and representing regular people, and would love to put it to use in representing your views and needs as humanities students.
Action can be taken on the large and small issues facing students and the Guild is an important vehicle for the improvement of the student experience. I believe in a push toward more stable & affordable student housing, and expanded support for students experiencing housing stress. Relieving these stresses and other cost of living pressures goes a long way to improving students' lives. Student wellbeing is another pressing issue – waiting times to access on-campus health services are far too long. Reducing these wait times will help students access services we all need.
We could all benefit from a few tweaks to our units too. Improved and expanded access to past and example assessments would provide a great deal of help. All required textbooks, too, should be free at the library. I will make real efforts toward quicker grading times and comprehensive feedback, a realistic goal all students could benefit from. We go into incredible debt for these units – no ask is too petty. With my experience in organising and campaigning, I will push for these changes and more.
I am happy to listen to any issue humanities students care about – no matter how big or small. Students deserve to have their voices heard and their issues addressed. I may be fresh to student representation, but I don’t speak without experience. I will listen to your needs first and push for real changes.
To keep our Guild strong, representative and progressive:
Vote [1] Tom Harrowing for Faculty of Humanities Representative!
Vote [1] Dylan Storer for President!
Vote [1] Illuminate!