Hi everyone!
I’m Clay (He/Him), a third-year Law and International Relations student, an environmental activist, and I’m running to be your Vice President Sustainability and Welfare with Momentum!
For as long as I can remember, I’ve cared deeply about three things: the environment, grassroots activism and art! I believe that when people come together and organise around the issues they care about, we can make real and lasting change.
As the National Union of Students’ Environment Officer, I founded Eco Students Australia (ESA), a grassroots organisation giving students across the country the opportunity to get involved in national environmental activism and conservation campaigns. Closer to home, you may have seen me around campus with the Sustainability Collective, organising beach clean-ups, bush hikes and other environmental activities that give students practical ways to make a difference.
When I’m not organising events or advocating for students, you’ll probably find me making noise somewhere else, as I’m also a percussionist in an orchestra, one of my many creative outlets!
Now, I want to bring that same passion for grassroots action and sustainability to the Guild!
As your Vice President Sustainability and Welfare, I’ll fight to make Curtin a genuinely more sustainable and affordable place to study. I’ll advocate for refill stations for household and cleaning products, helping students save money while cutting down on unnecessary plastic waste. I’ll push Curtin and the Guild towards becoming carbon positive, with a greater focus on emissions reduction, renewable energy and sustainable purchasing.
I’ll also fight for better and more frequent public transport to Curtin, because sustainable transport needs to be a realistic option for students travelling from across Perth. On campus, I’ll push for more Containers for Change bins, less single-use packaging, better food-waste reduction and more trees, shade and sustainable outdoor spaces.
I believe students deserve an affordable and safe place to live and get the support they need. I’ll fight for stronger rights for students in accommodation, including fair contracts, timely repairs, greater security and better protections for student renters. I’ll also advocate to make Food for Fines available year-round, giving students another way to resolve parking fines while supporting students experiencing food insecurity.
Most importantly, I want students to be part of making Curtin more sustainable. I’ll support regular clean-ups and community sustainability initiatives and use the Guild’s voice to back student-led campaigns that protect our environment and tackle climate change.
This is your moment to vote for change.
Vote [1] Clay Watts for Vice President of Sustainability and Welfare!
Vote [1] Ebony Whitney for President!
Vote [1] Momentum! :)