Mystified by what the different groups stand for? Hear from them directly in Pelican‘s “meet the ticket” series.
AI Party – AMITY – GLOBAL – LIFT – REVIVE – Social Justice (did not respond) – SPARK – THUNDER – Independent candidates
Aside from the groups contesting the election, there are also three independent candidates who have chosen to strike it out alone: Ieeshwardhan Singh (candidate for an Ordinary Guild Councillor spot), Faisal Bakhrayba (candidate to be a National Union of Students delegate), and Olivia Stronach (aiming for both). This article will only discuss Singh and Stronach as OGC candidates, with a separate article on NUS policy to follow.
In plain terms, what do you stand for?
Ieeshwardhan Singh: I stand for a strong, inclusive, and vibrant student community at UWA. My focus is on fostering an environment where every student feels valued and heard, regardless of their background or field of study. I believe in building a university culture rooted in respect, teamwork, and growth, where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally.
Olivia Stronach: My focus is on real, practical changes that improve student life. I believe in working collaboratively with the other members of Guild Council to ensure that all decisions are made with the best interests of students.
What do you have to offer that the groups and other candidates don’t?
Singh: What sets me apart is my deep connection with the diverse student body at UWA. Over the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to engage with students from various cultural and academic backgrounds, listening to their concerns and understanding their unique struggles. My experience as a school captain has equipped me with strong leadership skills, and my involvement in sports like football and cricket has taught me the value of teamwork. I am committed to representing every student’s voice, ensuring that their needs and concerns are not just heard but acted upon.
Stronach: What sets me apart from the other candidates is that I’m the only independent candidate running this year with actual experience on Guild Council. I’m not tied to any party politics, which means I can focus entirely on what’s best for the students without any outside agendas.
This past year, I’ve had the chance to work closely with a variety of council members, and together we’ve been able to deliver some great results for students.
I think that experience, combined with my independence and ability to collaborate effectively, gives me a unique edge in this election.
Which of your policies would you be most excited to see implemented?
Singh: I’m most excited about implementing policies that promote inclusivity and cultural understanding. One of my key initiatives is to establish regular, open forums where students can directly engage with the Guild, share their concerns, and propose ideas for improving campus life. This would create a more connected and responsive Guild that genuinely reflects the diversity and needs of our student body.
In addition to that, I’m committed to addressing the practical issues students face daily, such as making food more affordable on campus and ensuring there are enough study spaces while Reid Library is under construction. It’s crucial to create an environment where students feel supported both academically and socially, and I’m ready to make that happen.
Stronach: I’d be most excited to see the expansion of the common lunch hour. Right now, we’re supposed to have a common lunch hour on Tuesdays and Fridays, but in my experience, that’s rarely been the case. Expanding and properly enforcing this would give students a much-needed break during the day, and it would also create more opportunities for everyone to socialise, join clubs, and get involved in campus life.
It’s a small change that could have a big impact on student well-being.
Most students don’t vote in Guild elections – what’s the best reason they should vote for you this year?
Singh: Every vote counts. Every student’s voice has the power to shape UWA’s future, and without your vote, that power is lost. I believe it’s time for students to reclaim that power and ensure the Guild represents you—not just a small group of voters.
I’m not here to offer empty promises. I’ve spent the last two years deeply involved in campus life, understanding the challenges students face. I know what it takes to drive real change. I’m committed to fighting for your interests, making sure your voice is heard, and ensuring that decisions reflect what the entire student body truly wants.
This isn’t just about electing a representative; it’s about making sure your concerns are heard, addressed, and acted upon. By voting for me, you’re choosing someone who won’t just listen but will stand up for you and push for a more inclusive, engaging, and responsive UWA.
Don’t let others make decisions for you—take control of your university experience. Vote for someone who’s ready to fight for your future. Vote for me, and together we can shape the UWA we all deserve.
Stronach: The best reason to vote for me this year is that I’m not just calling for change – I’m already making it happen. I’ve worked hard to reinvigorate the Access Department and bring real improvements to accessibility for all students. As an independent candidate, I’m not tied to any party politics, so I can focus entirely on what’s best for UWA students.
My goal is to keep improving student life, and I’m committed to making UWA a more inclusive and accessible place for everyone.
Stronach served as Co-Officer of the Access Department this year. In light of this, we posed two further questions to her:
You served on Guild Council as Co-Officer of the Access Department this year. What was your best achievement?
Stronach: Honestly, my best achievement this year as Co-Officer of the Access Department was working on a survey to understand how UWA students feel about accessibility on campus. It was a real team effort with Lucinda, my Co-Officer, and our amazing committee.
The survey gave us some eye-opening insights, which I pulled together into a report to share with the university. The goal was to highlight where things could be improved.
It was really rewarding to see the immediate impact of this, like when the Law School started implementing automatic lecture transcripts this year based on students’ requests, before I had even finalised my report. That was a huge win for us.
What made it even more exciting was that we didn’t stop there. We teamed up with the Guilds at Curtin, Murdoch, and Notre Dame to roll out the same survey at their universities. My hope is that UWA will be able to learn from things that other universities do better and teach them about the things we do best. It was pretty cool to see something we started at UWA potentially influencing accessibility across WA.
If you could re-do your year on Council, is there anything you would have done differently?
Stronach: Coming onto Council this year as an independent was definitely a challenge. If I could redo my year on Council, I’d focus more on fostering collaboration across different departments. Early on, I was focused on my own initiatives, but I’ve since realised that working closely with others from the start could have amplified our impact.
I’d also focus on cultivating relationships with UWA staff earlier, as working together towards shared goals is essential for making lasting change. Without the support of staff from UniAccess and Student Life, implementing lecture transcripts in the Law School would have been much harder.
On the other hand, Singh has not served on Council before:
What would you have done if you had been on Guild Council this year?
Singh: If I had been on the Guild Council this year, my top priority would have been bridging the gap between the Guild and the broader student body. Right now, too many students see the Guild as just a small group of people running events, rather than a powerful voice that truly represents them. I would have changed that by actively engaging with students through more inclusive social events and open forums, where everyone—regardless of background—could share their ideas, concerns, and visions for UWA.
I would have also pushed for greater transparency in Guild decisions, ensuring that they reflect the real interests of the majority, not just the same small, active minority. The Guild should be a body every student feels connected to, not something distant or inaccessible.
It’s time we change the perception that the Guild is only for a select few. I would have worked to make sure every student knows about the opportunities and events available to them, and more importantly, that they feel comfortable coming to us with their issues before turning to the authorities. The Guild should be the first stop for students, not the last resort.