Meet Our Reps

2026 University of New England Student Council Representatives

Kristy Sillman (Chair)Image of Kristy Silman, Chair of the University of New England Student Council

Hi! My name is Kristy, and I am a current Bachelor of Laws student based in Brisbane, QLD. I started with UNE as an alternative entry candidate before applying direct and am currently completing my studies full time online. I have the privilege of being the Chair of the UNESC and am looking forward to the future to see how we can provide further unified voice and represent our diverse student body. The team and I will look to gain a deeper understanding of all aspects of the university so as to ensure we are a successful in our endeavors in representing the students. I will look to establish this committee as a core area of the university, so students understand what we do, and to help every student feel valued, supported and heard

Belinda (Bel) Cunningham (Accessibility Rep)Bel Cunningham, accessiblity rep for the University of New England's Student Council

My name is Bel Cunningham, I am currently studying a Bachelor of Special and Inclusive Education online, after completing a Diploma ofEducational Studies in 2023. I am in my 3rd year of study and hoping to apply for my conditional approval at the end of 2025, so i can start teaching in 2026.  I would like to become a special and inclusive education teacher - whether that be in Mainstream, a Support Unit of a School for Specific Purpose Teacher. I will endeavour to help as many children reach their goals as possible and I look forward to continuing to build my skills and knowledge as I progress through my career. I joined the student council to both build my skills in community engagement, but also help others with within the UNE community to have a voice and represent students who have additional needs and ensure UNE is accessible to all.

Nico Edillo (International Rep)Nico Edillo, international representatives, University of New England's Student Council

Hi everyone! My name is Nico Edillo, and I am an international student from the Philippines, and I am one of the International Student Representative of our university's student council. I am currently studying Bachelor of Arts (Sociology Major) and Bachelor of Laws. Since beginning my studies post-pandemic, I have witnessed the remarkable growth and resilience of the international student community at UNE. As a full-time international student residing on-campus in Armidale and working casually in various jobs such as the foodservice sector, I have firsthand experience with the unique challenges that international students face here in Australia. Based on my background and experience interacting with other international students, I believe I am competent to represent international students at UNE and the entire student community. I am eager to work collaboratively to ensure that our student interests are represented and to contribute to the broader goals of our university.

Madeleine Hobbs (Online Rep)Madeleine Hobbs, online representative, University of New England's Student Council

I’m a Master of History student at UNE, starting from February 2024. I grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa and came to Australia in 2003 with my family. After completing a BA Hons in sociology, I worked in the corporate world in IT and management consulting full-time for four decades while raising two children. Now retired, I am pursuing my passion for history with UNE, along with travel, community involvement, and a nerdy interest in city-building PC games. As an online and mature-age student, I appreciate our modern technological wizardry but do sometimes miss those human interactions. In my role as one of the five Online Student Representatives at UNE, I aim to understand and represent your needs, and through that, build closer connections among the student community and the university. Feel free to contact me anytime on my UNE email.

Carolyn Williams (Post-graduate Rep)Carolyn Williams, post-graduate representative, University of New England's Student Council

Let me introduce myself….I am Carolyn, a wife, mum of 5, nonni to 3 and a Mental Health Clinical Nurse, with 21 years in the profession. I live in Brisbane but originally I am from Tamworth. My second love, after my family, is travelling and learning about new cultures and their histories. That is part of the reason why I am studying a Master of History, online through UNE. I am thrilled to be one of two Post-Graduate student representatives in the UNE Student Council. Your student council are a dedicated, enthusiastic group of students from a wide variety of backgrounds and study areas, who are ready to get working with, and for you. As a post-graduate student, I understand the many challenges that students face when heading back to study after a break or continuing on in their studies whilst trying to juggle new careers. My aim,  as a member of the student council is to ensure that student voices are heard and changes are made in line with student needs.

Chris Burke (Online Rep)Chris Burke, online representative, University of New England's Student Council

I am 34 years old and have been studying at UNE for the past 2 and a half years in a bachelor of exercise and sports science, which I hope to turn into a bachelor of clinical exercise physiology. Previous to study I was a full-time farmer for 10 years on the outskirts of Tamworth where we still run a mixed farming operation. With the desire to move into another career I decided to return to study after finishing a Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Business. [p-0I applied for the Student Council originally to keep track of what was happening for students within the university and to help my colleagues have a say in what was happening with their respective degrees. I have enjoyed a much more in-depth position than I was expecting and has really given the team (UNESC) a voice within the workings of the university and all that it entails.

Phoebe Belford (Online Rep)Phoebe Beford, Online Representative on the University of New England's Student Council

Hi, my name is Phoebe Belford, and I’m proud to have been elected as one of the Online Representatives for the UNESC. I’m a passionate science student who thrives on learning new things and embracing new experiences. As a mother of five, including children with additional needs, I juggle the rewarding challenges of parenting and studying. I myself was diagnosed as neurodivergent in adulthood, inspired by the journeys of my own children, and this has shaped my perspective on inclusion and support. With a strong background in leadership, community involvement, and volunteering, I’m very appreciative for the opportunity to connect with and advocating for other. I’m always excited to meet new people, so please don’t hesitate to reach out!