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The University of New England Students' Association (UNESA) was the representative body for undergraduate students at the University of New England, Australia. UNESA funded a radio station, TUNE! FM established April 1970), and a student newspaper, Neucleus (established April 1947), through a general service fee paid by all students to the University. Prior to 1990 the association was known as the UNE Students' Representative Council and, for a time, as the Armidale Students' Association. Following the introduction of voluntary student unionism, UNESA was dissolved at a special general meeting of the members in late March 2006. The functions and services previously provided by UNESA were taken over by Services UNE Ltd [1].

Contents 1 UNE Liberal Club 2 Past Presidents 3 See also 4 External links

In February 2005 University of New England Liberal Club (UNLEC) members won control of the Students' Association. UNELC members also controlled the student union and the University Council undergraduate position. There was controversy over the manner in which Liberal Club members were elected to these bodies [2], with accusations of ballot-rigging, bribery and financial irregularities. A UNLEC officer was banned from campus and from holding any position with any student association after being found guilty of breaking university rules. UNESA split from the National Union of Students in a disaffiliation referendum, though voting irregularities called the result into question. UNESA was among the few student organisations in Australia to support voluntary student unionism.

In September 2005 UNESA made world news following the appointment of a Heterosexual Officer. This position and the position of Men's Officer were created at the same time as the position of Homosexual Officer was disbanded along with the campus "queer space". The surrounding controversy resulted in the university management publicly criticising UNESA and the Liberal Club for bringing the university into disrepute.

• 1975 Laurie Hagan
• 1976 Celia Smith
• 1978 Karen Harris
• 1979 Gavin Roberts
• 1980 Stephanie Hagan
• 1981 Eva Cawthorne
• 1982 Paschal Leahy
• 1990 Paul McDermott
• 1998 Siobhan Barry
• 1999 James Stevens
• 2000-2001 - Tom Fisher
• 2001-2002 - Kahn Quinlan
• 2002 - John Harris
• 2003 - Kryssy Loker
• 2004 - Phil Schubert
• 2005 - Samantha Aber
• 2006 - Tim Fisher

• Small + Regionals faction

• UNE News and Events Agreement assures student services at UNE, February 2006
• University of New England vs Samantha Aber
• Article about Liberal club controversy
• The Deadly Newt - underground campus site

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