UNSA Equity Guilds

First Nations Guild

A student-led & empowering space for you.

The first Nations Guild is a student-led, inclusive, culturally safe and welcoming space for all students and members of the community who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Together with the First Nations Officer, the Guild is dedicated to sharing Indigenous perspectives, cultures, and voices in both academic and social contexts within the broader University of Newcastle community. The Guild aims to represent and advocate on behalf of First Nations students to ensure that all members of the community have the opportunity to excel and grow both academically and culturally while they complete their studies at the University of Newcastle. Importantly, the Guild strives to foster an environment that champions Indigenous voices through meaningful actions, initiatives, and inclusive and respectful collaboration.

What's an UNSA Equity Guild?

The UNSA Equity Guilds are student-led spaces that serve the purpose of providing support and a safe place for communities to discuss, raise awareness of and advocate for issues affecting their community within the University of Newcastle and more broadly.

The Guilds are made up of members that identify with the represented communities. Membership is open to students for free, to alumni and staff for a $5 fee and to community members outside of the University for a $10 fee.

The Guilds are led by their respective Equity Officer, which are student-held positions. Their role is to chair the Guild meetings, organise Guild events, and to act on behalf of the Guild by sitting on the UNSA Student Representative Council (SRC) where issues affecting students are raised and addressed. UNSA recognises that the Equity Officer positions are an important role that takes time and dedication – because of this, Equity Officers are eligible to receive honorarium payments.

Other volunteer, student-held roles will be created within the Guilds at the discretion of each Guild’s members, to assist the Equity Officer in carrying out their role.