Established in 2022, the UNE Ally Network is a group of staff and students who are committed to making the University of New England a welcoming and inclusive environment for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
When you are in Armidale, come and visit our Queer Space! You can find it on the main level of Dixson Library. The UNE Queer Space is a safe and open area that is for everyone to use.
What is an Ally?
Being an Ally means:
- Supporting equal rights for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender, sex characteristics, race, nationality, ethnicity, neurodiversity, impairments, religious belief / non-belief, and many other marginalised identities.
- Doing what you can to call out discrimination and fight for equality.
- Trying to make the world a better place for anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+.
This is an excerpt from an article on the 'Reach Out' website. Please visit the site for more information on what it means to be an Ally.
The objectives of the UNE Ally Network are to:
At UNE, we foster a safe, inclusive, and affirming environment for LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and alumni. Our Ally Network supports sexuality and gender diversity, advocates for LGBTQIA+ voices, and champions the lived experiences of regional, First Nations, and disabled LGBTQIA+ individuals. We promote awareness by celebrating key dates, shaping policies, and ensuring diversity is not just accepted but embraced.
Through networking, advocacy, and collaboration, we empower our community to create change. Working with the UNE Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, we influence policies, training, and initiatives that reflect LGBTQIA+ diversity. Whether you want to connect, contribute, or champion inclusion, join us in growing a stronger Ally Network.
UNE Allyship Report
The report of the Queer Allyship Steering Committee 'Being Myself At UNE' has finally been released. This report presents the findings of landmark research conducted at UNE into the experiences of our LGBTQIA+ staff and students. It also outlines the steps that were taken to establish the Queer Allyship program of research and advocacy at UNE.
Click on the links below to view the reports:
Member List
Feel free to contact anyone on this list if you have any questions or concerns about being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community at the University of New England.Please note that only members who have completed the relevant Ally training, and have opted to have their details made public, are listed.
| Name | UNE Email Address | UNE Phone Number +61 (2) 6773 | UNE Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambrose McDermott | amcderm5@une.edu.au | 3193 | SiMERR |
| Anne Hodson | ahodson3@une.edu.au | 3994 | People and Culture |
| Bea Bleile | bbleile@une.edu.au | 3572 | Mathematics, School of Science and Technology |
| Christina Kenny | ckenny3@une.edu.au | 5418 | Sociology |
| Gwyn McClelland | Gwyn.McClelland@une.edu.au | 5238 | Japanese - School of HASS |
| Janelle Wilkes | jwilkes2@une.edu.au | 2025 | Animal Science, Environmental & Rural Science |
| Judy Humphries | jharris2@une.edu.au | 3953 | Health |
| Kate Carter | kcarte23@une.edu.au | 3164 | Oorala |
| Kristy O'Neill | kristy.oneill@une.edu.au | 2942 | Education |
| Lucy Byrnes | lbyrnes4@une.edu.au | 2897 | Student Success |
| Lynn Stahlhut | lstahlh3@une.edu.au | 1290 | UNE Tamworth and Regions |
| Mardi Cook | mcook1@une.edu.au | 3288 | Graduate Research School, Research Services |
| Matt Allen | mallen28@une.edu.au | 2125 | Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences |
| Mirela Suciu | mirela.suciu@une.edu.au | 2301 | People and Culture |
| Paul Smith | Paul.Smith@une.edu.au | n/a | Music - School of Arts |
| Sally Dixon | Sally.Dixon@une.edu.au | 1963 | Linguistics (HASS) |
| Laura Murray | lmurra35@une.edu.au | 5963 | UNE Life (only available on Mondays and Fridays) |
| Alina Kozlovski | 1364 | HASSE | |
Luke Fowler | 5608 | Austin Page College | |
April Youngberry | 4575 | Student Services | |
Jacob Hofkamp | 1994 | Technology & Digital Services | |
Deborah Bower | 2424 | Zoology | |
Marissa Betts | 1714 | Earth Sciences | |
Richard Jordan | 2753 | Theatre Studies | |
Sian Hulland | 5502 | Student Experience | |
Daniel Kelly | 2639 | Technology and Digital Services |
