Phoebe
Divisional Manager
Phoebe has more than 37 years of experience working in advocacy and social justice in the community sector, with 18 of those years at UMSU. Phoebe has both social work and law qualifications, with Bachelors of Arts and Social Work from Sydney University and Master of Law from ANU. She is a survivor of student politics in the 1980s and has a particular interest in the rights of marginalised and vulnerable workers and students
Paul
Team Leader
Paul has over 12 years’ experience as an advocate. Over this time, he has assisted students on a vast range of issues, with a particular interest in misconduct matters. Paul also acts as a liaison between the Advocacy Service and the UMSU Student Reps to support them in their representative roles and co-writes the SUAS Service Reports.
Michelle
Project & Research Lead
Michelle has a combined 20 years’ experience working in the tertiary sector with roles in advocacy, administration, accommodation, pastoral care, and teaching. She has been at UMSU since 2016, and before that worked at DUSA and the advocacy service at Swinburne University. She has a law degree from La Trobe University and a humanities PhD from ANU where she completed an exchange with Oxford University. She has also worked for the state and federal government on policy and constituent matters and is a Spanish native speaker.
Alanna
Senior Advocate
Alanna has 9 years’ combined experience working in university administration at the ANU, Uni of Melbourne and the Uni of Herts, UK and 15 years’ experience working in tertiary student advocacy and welfare: 4 years at Deakin Uni Student Assoc (DUSA) and 11 years at UMSU. She has a B.Teach from Uni of Wollongong and a Master of Social Work from Uni of Melbourne. Alanna has also worked in the community NFP sector and government welfare departments in the UK and Australia.
Anna
Senior Advocate
Anna was a student advocate at the Monash Student Association for 7 years before joining the UMSU team in 2024. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (History) from Monash University and is currently completing a Master of Social Work. Outside of student advocacy, Anna has worked in the mental health sector and has a particular interest and experience working with students with mental health issues.
Eloise
Senior Advocate
Eloise has a master’s degree in social work and a background of working with children and families, and with victim-survivors of domestic violence. Eloise joined the Advocacy team in 2023 as the Assessment and Triage Coordinator, moving into an Advocate role in 2024.
Nadia
Senior Advocate
Nadia has been with the service since 2012. Initially working across the Advocacy Service and Legal Service in a triage role, she progressed to a Senior Advocate position in 2019. She is passionate about social justice and has extensive experience working within the not-for-profit sector. In her previous role Nadia worked with law students from Monash University who were completing placement at a Community Legal Centre. Nadia holds a Bachelor of Arts (History & Anthropology) from Deakin University. She enjoys assisting students with a wide range of academic and administrative issues related to their studies.
Georgia
Assessment & Triage Coordinator
Georgia has a social work background and has worked in both government and community service settings before starting at the Advocacy Service. Georgia is committed to social justice and human rights and is passionate about assisting students to navigate the complex University system.