2023 SONA REPRESENTATIVES

MEET YOUR SONA REPRESENTATIVES

NATIONAL SONA EXECUTIVE

The SONA team is comprised of an executive committee of five student members and 26 student SONA representatives from accredited universities (or those on the pathway to becoming accredited) across Australia.

It is this team of dedicated students that volunteer their time and energy to make positive things happen for Australian students of architecture.

SONA PRESIDENT

Thomas Huntingford

Master of Architecture | University of Melbourne, Victoria

Through my engagement with SONA so far, as Melbourne Uni Representative and Vice President for Membership and Engagement, I have enjoyed the opportunity to think broadly about where SONA and the institute can offer meaningful value to students. By continuing into the president elect role I would like to think that I could help shape SONAs offering further by building upon SONAs strengths, namely running events and bringing students together, by ensuring that in emerging from COVID restrictions we recapture any aspects that may have been hindered by the last two years. But also, by thinking clearly about areas that could stand to improve and suggesting processes by which SONA could seek to address these areas continually over the long term.

In the wake of the isolation inflicted by the coronavirus I believe one of the key issues that I would continue seeking to address through SONA is student engagement and interaction. I believe SONA is uniquely positioned as a national organisation of built environment students to foster cross institutional collaboration that allows for the sharing of ideas and formation of relationships that in turn are the catalysts for initiatives and groups that may go on to impact the architectural profession. This contribution to a ‘culture’ of like-minded individuals is key to SONA and the Institute's intent to advance architecture. This year we have begun to implement various methods for engaging with members and SONA Reps through the Community platform and rethinking internal processes. By continuing on with SONA I would hope to continue developing how the organisation strengthens connections between all of the students involved.

Throughout my studies I have tried to be as actively engaged in the study of the built environment as I can be and have always sought out extra-curricular talks, student initiatives and other opportunities. I also have experience representing students and communicating the student perspective through my involvement with the MSD Student Forum, which works to communicate student viewpoints to the faculty at the MSD and having sat on the Victorian Chapter Council, Editorial and Education Committees. Finally I have a strong belief in the ‘do the thing,’ or ‘start by starting,’ approach whereby if an opportunity arises to make change or a good idea crops up I aspire to simply do it rather than wait around for someone else or ask for permission. In this way perhaps I could be seen to ‘lead by example.’

SONA Vice President

Aremel Tibayan

Bachelor of Design (Architecture) | Deakin University, Victoria

As president elect, I promise to dedicate myself to fulfilling SONA's/The Institute's vision, mission and goals that supports all built environment and architecture students by continuing and building upon the hard work of past/current executive members and representatives. Since I joined SONA in 2019, I've strongly understood the value that the organisation brings to all its members and non-members in areas of: advocacy, community and professional development. I plan to use my experience over the years to strengthen the current strategies to maintain the benefits that SONA provides to all students. As well as develop new approaches so that SONA continues to grow and adapt to the exciting and unknown future that is ahead of us in the built environment (from growing climate concerns, changes to built environment/architecture education and creation of advanced technology).

The areas of concern that matter most to me are:
1. Present to students other possible careers to pursue with a built environment/architecture degree such as: urban planner, novelist or film director. Also, to extend the organisation for those not studying architecture: there is knowledge and skill from understanding other disciplines.
2. As we recover from the pandemic, we've seen the importance of looking after our wellbeing while studying. Life is difficult. But, we can learn to make it less difficult, by implementing healthy effective study/work/life balance approaches in our built environment education system to further benefit us as we become older.
3. SONA members and non-members are made up of a large demographic. I'm determined to provide students a chance to share their stories and, and to listen to each other. Listening to these stories is a learning experience that adds to the value of our built environment studies.

I'm fully prepared to accept the responsibilities of president elect, to preform these responsibilities to the highest standard and to humbly serve the SONA community. From being a student member to becoming vice president, I've gained the necessary experience of working alongside representatives and executive team to deliver initiatives and promote the value of SONA to all students. I wish to contribute what I've learnt (from the failures and successes) to support the upcoming president, vice presidents, representatives and student members. I care about: the importance of our built environment education, the future where the built environment will benefit society and, the students, my colleagues and friends that'll take us to this future. As president elect, my hope is to be a part of the journey where we all reach our potential to contribute something great to the built environment within and outside of Australia.

SONA VICE PRESIDENT COMPETITIONS AND EVENTS

Kathryn Neale

Master of Architecture | University of Western Australia, Western Australia

SONA VICE PRESIDENT MEMBER ENGAGEMENT

Blake Hillebrand

Bachelor of Architectural Design | RMIT University, Victoria

I am a passionate advocate for the advancement of student empowerment, connection, and development within the industry. My roles as a SONA Representative, RMIT Architecture Student Collective (RASCol) President, and working in the profession have allowed me to acquire a holistic perspective on the needs of a vast array of students. This is vital in ensuring I can engage, promote, and represent a greater number of students with accuracy allowing me to organise and implement successful events and initiatives. Being a part of an immensely supportive/driven team at AIA has inspired me to want to take up this incredible opportunity to utilise my local and State experience on a national level for the benefit of all Australian students within the built environment. SONA should represent and empower all students to meet like-minded people, create lasting connections, and to progress their knowledge/skills to make an impact on the industry.

Personally, transparency and empowerment are the two issues that matter most to me. When I say transparency and empowerment, I mean I want students to see and understand the reality of the industry and how we grasp what we can do to make it better for ourselves and those around us. For example, in 2022, one of the events I organised was the You Can’t Ask That! Event where I moderated a tremendous panel discussing uncensored questions that people are too afraid to ask. I want students to have the power and agency to seriously question our profession in the hope we can improve it. Through the curation and organisation of national initiatives/events such as a speaker series, workshops, and exhibitions we can tackle a range of issues impacting our industry’s development such as sustainability, mental health, and Indigenous promotion and action to educate and promote forward-thinking students.

Through my leadership positions within student organisations, I strongly believe that I can grow SONA and its level of engagement through delivering effective initiatives to a diverse cohort of students. In 2022, across SONA Victoria and RASCol, we have had a total of approximately 729 attendees to 9 events in 5 months which is a clear testament to the hard work of myself and the support and relationships directly around me. Additionally, we had the most Super studio signups from any state, RMIT has the most new-member signups (as per the latest copy). Additionally, as an executive of RASCol we have gone from 78 members to 191 members and were awarded the RMIT Student Life Club Award. I want to continue to lead and collaborate with others to deliver strong outcomes to students and to the wider industry through maintaining and harnessing connections for the benefit of all.

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

Nicole Mesquita-Mendes

Master of Architecture | Bond University, Queensland

VICTORIA

Andrew Gregory

Master of Architecture | Monash University

Julia Rainey

Bachelor of Design (Architecture), Deakin University

Shirin Kilinc

Bachelor of Architectural Design, RMIT University

Rebecca Andre

Master of Architecture, University of Melbourne

An active member of the current University of Melbourne SONA Committee, I have a first-hand appreciation for all the hard work that goes into making SONA the wonderful organisation that it is. As Rep, I am keen to continue to deliver all the events/programmes that SONA is planning, with the addition of more inter-university informal social events. It is my ambition to really encourage networking among members, and to increase awareness around the benefits of a SONA membership and to impress upon students the importance of associating with industry bodies such as the AIA. For new UniMelb members (particularly first-year undergraduate students) I have ideas around creating orientation resources (like a “survival guide” or “100 things I wish I knew when I started architecture school”) as way of building a sense of community, promoting SONA, and making students aware of all the incredible resources available to them so they can get the most out of their time at university.

As Rep, I would actively engage with my existing network of colleagues and friends at the University of Melbourne to promote and raise awareness about the great work that SONA does. To grow the SONA community, I would propose to host a variety of networking events, panel discussions and talks, and informal social events for members and actively advertise these to non-members via both printed and digital posts as well as through personal contact and word of mouth. I find that promotion of events and memberships is best achieved through sincere and personal invitation, so I would actively seek to leverage my existing network at the University, as well as my personal contacts, to grow the SONA community through a very personable approach. I would also advocate for close collaboration/co-hosting of events with other established faculty student clubs and societies in order to broaden, diversify and popularise the SONA membership base.

I believe my approachable and friendly character, in addition to my well-connected status at the University of Melbourne (and in a growing sense within the architectural industry in Melbourne) are my greatest assets when it comes to the role of Rep. I am organised, outgoing and enthusiastic and I feel, as Rep, that this energy would be well placed to encourage my fellow students and colleagues to engage actively with SONA. I believe I can bring great energy to the role of Rep, and I am passionate about increasing the presence of SONA at the University of Melbourne through events and fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie among members. I see SONA as a community that provides great agency and support to students in a professional sense, but I also see it as a means of forming meaningful personal connections with peers. As Rep, I believe my social and inclusive nature would serve me well in achieving this.

Joshua McBeath

Bachelor of Design (Architecture), Swinburne University

Queensland

Maitri Gohel

Master of Architecture, Queensland University of Technology

In my personal experience SONA genuinely assisted me in navigating through the journey as a overwhelmed international student; and I would like all my colleagues to share a similar experience.
1. Networking
I would love to organise events that create real connections between students across all universities. For example, a chat room or zoom hangouts across Australia.
2. Closing the gap between formal education and practice
It would be great to have a program that helps students steer through this jump. For instance, hands on workshops as to what a day-to-day life looks like or perhaps even a few seminars run by architects that explain the technical aspect of the job.
3. Student engagement and support
It is crucial to understand from the students as to how we can facilitate their university experience. Thus, being approachable and proving something as simple as anonymous suggestion box can go a long way in understanding the needs and then building events from there.

My personal engagement with SONA through the past 3 years has been the most memorable part of my university experience, thus I am very passionate about providing student with an opportunity for genuine learning and professional development. Currently, I am a executive member at QUT Architecture society, this role has helped me connect with several university students and academics. I aim to take advantage of these connections to foster deeper engagement of students with SONA community. I believe that my personal story of how SONA has positively impacted my architectural journey will drive my journey as a rep in order to create such network for all my fellow students.

During my term as SONA rep, I aim to fulfill general expectations such as growing the student network, offer student perspective, and facilitate student’s career development. Furthermore, I strongly believe that with my experience and knowledge I can assist in event planning and coordination. A few events I would love to help organise are:
Buddy program – connect junior and senior student
Mentorship program – connect students with professionals
Social catchups – enhance collaboration and engagement
Study groups – deepening knowledge and interconnection amongst students
Mental wellbeing – calling professionals to assist students with mental and physical health

Liam Leblond

Bachelor of Architectural Design, University of Queensland

I aim to make a difference to the built environment students of UQ and beyond by providing a truly available touchpoint to speak with who is happy and willing to listen at (nearly) any time. As many on-campus students are aware, I'm consistently available to talk about school, life, advice, or to simply be someone there to listen. This is also true to those online who shared classes with me during my second year of my degree where I had moved back home to Canada to continue my studies, albeit externally. My coordination of group work, availability to communicate for myself and for those who can’t find their voice, and happiness to accommodate for all types of students working with me at the time are all factors that I believe can and will create a difference as SONA rep for UQ which some years in the past may not have felt to the same degree.

As a student present during the onset and aftermath of Covid, I believe it is essential for students to be welcomed (back) and accepted on campus in the ways I couldn’t experience. I believe that I can reintroduce a strong community of involvement through active engagement with the past, current, and present students of the built environment. I can see this being achieved through three main impacts; a heightened response to mental health amongst students, an increased presence on campus through comprehensive social events, and an overall increased engagement with students by providing resources which will help them navigate their degrees and beyond. This can be achieved through the maintained organization and advertisement of SuperStudio and other design competitions, office crawls and interaction with industry professionals, social events (eg. movie/ games nights relating to design), and organized workshops focused on practical applications of course content.

As a Canadian international student, I believe I hold a unique position to create a more inclusive environment amongst the cohorts of UQ's built environment students. This unique perspective has allowed me to truly understand the differences between the online experience while also being able to engage with the in-person studio culture. I don't see this as a detriment, rather, I see this as an opportunity to take all the positives of both and apply them to the tasks given to the SONA rep role; particularly in time management, multiformat engagement/ communication, and social plurality. My consistency for social engagement, positive can-do attitude, the push to always bring out the best from those around me, and endearing availability to listen and learn from those around me allows me to fully maintain and enhance the role of SONA rep at UQ.

Lara Damelian

Master of Architecture (Urban Transformation), Bond University

Sissel Morley

Bachelor of Design (Architecture), Griffith University

Torrens University

Vacant Position

Western Australia

Megha Patel

Master of Architecture, University of Western Australia

I would listen and with my positive attitude, I would take action. I would like the university to be a great experience for all and most importantly I want students to love what they study as much as I love what I study. We need to glam the campus with inspirational quotes and pictures. Inspire them. Make the campus feel like a more enjoyable place.
I want students to feel like they have someone that will listen to any issues they might have and take action. Bringing up issues to tutors or lecturers may be hard so that's when I step in to listen and take action. I would first make everyone aware of my role. I think many students don't know that a SONA rep exists or they don't know how to contact them. There is a large gap between the reps and the students and I would like to try to fill that gap.

I would use UWA Design's social media to spread contact details and to make people aware of who I am and what I do so everyone can approach me easily. I would work alongside the ALVA committee to reach better outcomes. I would also organise to go into lectures (especially undergraduate and first-year lectures) and introduce myself so people are aware. I would also get in touch with tutors and let them know to spread the word. When I was new to the university I didn't know anything about SONA and SONA reps so for me it is important that most students are aware of SONA reps so they can benefit. I would like to create a platform where students from their respective cohorts can interact and share. I had a great connection with most of my cohort and I would like to encourage students to form a strong connection between them and their cohort too.

I volunteer at a local temple, so I have gained a lot of experience in project management and I would like to use those skills when it comes to event organising etc.
I LOVE what I study (architecture) and I am always trying to encourage others to study it too. O-day would be a great opportunity to inspire and encourage future students to pursue this course.
I would like to encourage UWA students to part take in competitions because I believe you learn more from competitions and it is a great way to form connections with students in other universities.
I want to organise more events where students from all other universities can come together and interact and network. I believe networking doesn't only mean meeting people that are working but it is also important to network with students because they are the people you will work alongside when you graduate.

Jeremy Marriott

Bachelor of Architectural Design, Curtin University

Olivia Wade

Master of Architecture, University of Notre-Dame

South Australia

Quincy Nguyen

Bachelor of Architectural Design, University of Adelaide

Subook Samridhi

Master of Architecture, University of South Australia

Architecture never seizes to fascinate me; right from the technical elements such as joinery detail to the creation of spaces, it influences and is influenced by the cultural interconnectedness and socio-economic conditions every day. I am curious about the world around us and would like to explore how we can integrate the natural world into built environment. My interests are around passive design principles and the role of architecture in the wellbeing of its occupants. I would take the opportunity as a SONA rep to initiate more conversations around regenerative architecture and the importance of a Sustainability Action Plan(SAP) through conducted events. This would not only raise industry awareness but also promote current students to activate their current thinking around climate change and integrate it in their current uni projects. This allow for current students to be more equipped in the future industry transition while also offering upskilling possibility for graduates.

In architecture school, we spend a decent amount of time contemplating user-space interactions. I would apply similar principle but in the context of events. I believe that while promoting SONA at O-week is great, it is also important to do so while the semester is running. It could be through the UniSA weekly emails or posters in the Student lounge/studios, people trying to get access to read Architecture Australia or acumen notes. While juggling uni and work is tricky, I’ve noticed something that unites all uni students, it is free food! Its my secret ingredient for increasing participants. I believe that early awareness about SONA like in first is very important since once it is known, the focus would shift to retention and engagement. Events such as meet and greet or welcome to the community initially are great ice-breakers and way to connecting, as people are likely to return to events when they know other attending participants.

As an active member of the student community in various capacities like Study Adelaide Ambassador(in 2020) and International Student Ambassador at UniSA International, I have interacted with potential students from all across the globe as well as current students. This has helped me hone my communication skills as well exposed to me event organization. Additionally, I’ve also been a speaker at previous UniSA events such as Hey UniSA and O-week. My previous role as a sandwich artist, at Subway, involved being a part of a team while working independently which has boosted my ability to effectively multi-task. Moreover, the coursework and projects undertaken at university has added to my problem solving and research skills. My aim is to use these skills raise awareness about SONA, who we are and what we do as well as ways of getting involved.

Northern territory

Albertina Ugwu

Bachelor of Arts (Architecture), Charles Darwin University

NEW SOUTH WALES

Oktavia Kirana

Bachelor of Architectural Design, University of New South Wales

Erin Zikos

Bachelor of Design (Architecture), University of Sydney

Samuel Ottoman

Master of Architecture, University of Technology Sydney

Bhumika Goel

Bachelor of Architectural Design, Western Sydney University

University of Newcastle

Kosha Kunda

Torrens University

Vacant Position

TASMANIA

Pei Kai Tan

Bachelor of Architecture and Environments, University of Tasmania

Through participating in SONA events during my first three years as an undergraduate, I always had a deep appreciation towards the committee for organising so many amazing events for students. I hope I can pass the torch down by being a passionate architecture student myself to inspire and learn from other students.

I hope to create a community within students that’s positive and inclusive. As a student that used to stay up at night doing assignments, I start to be aware of how it affects my physical and mental health. I will raise awareness towards caring for our physical and mental health. Other SONA events that I found useful are the things taught outside of university, such as ‘Beyond Uni Series’ and architecture competitions. I aim to host more events regarding this so that students feel more connected and prepared when they exit university. Lastly, just have fun! Architecture is great and I hope every student enjoys it.

As SONA committee member this year, I love helping to organise events and seeing people enjoy and benefit from them. I feel studying architecture should be enjoyable. The same goes to learning about things outside of uni and connecting with the industry. I will engage with students by organising events regarding job seeking, connecting with the industry, competitions, and our physical and mental wellbeing. There is also another student organisation, DARCHSIDE that I once was part of the committee as well. SONA will work with student organisations to connect more with built environment and design degree students to form a larger community together in the university.

I feel community engagement is beyond organising events. It comes from a daily effort to get to know somebody else, asking and caring about them. An event gathers people and boost our community, but its also a chance for everyone to get to know each other, strengthening our connections as a community.

As committee member for multiple student organisations throughout my studies, I thoroughly enjoy organising events and seeing people enjoy and benefit from them. I enjoy studying architecture and I am very passionate about it as well, so I believe I can be a positive role model to other students, but I am sure we all have something we can learn from each other! I also love to talk and engage with people, and I will put my heart out to care for and make sure everyone learns and grow together as one.

Although I must admit, I am very nervous to take on the role and be on the frontline, but I believe everyone have their first times and I just have to step out of my comfort zone. This will be a very beneficial learning opportunity for me as well, and it reminds me to always be humble. I will be learning with everyone too, side by side.

Australian capital territory

Nicholas Brown

Bachelor of Built Environment (Architecture), University of Canberra

If successful, I would have three core goals as the University of Canberra and ACT SONA representative:

1. Ensure a platform for architecture and built environment student voices to be heard and elevated: I would work with students and the university to create a safe space for discussion, build a strong studio culture and support peer discussions with greater collaboration across the year groups.

2. Connect students with the architecture sector, innovators and thought leaders: I will work with ACT practices to grow access to industry experts and thought leaders to support career development of students and invite these experts into the university, outside of just the normal assessment review process, to see the work and skills of our student body.

3. Grow membership through face-to-face engagement with students and industry: Through regular in person promotions in studios, participating in university events and regular peer discussions.

Students must have a place and a voice at the table in discussions that impact our profession.

Emerging from the covid-19 pandemic, and a world of virtual learning and online social events, it is clear architecture and built environment students have missed face-to-face engagement, networking, and events. My approach would focus on rebuilding and enhancing these face-to-face experiences. This would include active engagement across year levels, and development and implementation of more ACT specific events.

My advocacy and work as a representative would be driven by students, according to their needs and priorities. This can only be achieved with genuine engagement and consultation with students at the University of Canberra.

I will work in partnership with the SONA executive and state SONA Reps to design and implement successful stakeholder engagement plans.
I would do this by:
• actively engaging with the ACT Chapter Australian Institute of Architects Architecture,
• liaising with university leaders,
• working with my SONA peers; and
• most importantly engaging with students at the University of Canberra.

My early design pursuits were waylaid by a career in social policy, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. I will leverage the skills I honed through my previous experience to be a strong ambassador for SONA and advocate for students.

This year I have taken up the role of Treasurer, and subsequently responsibility for the social and print media presence, for the University of Canberra Architecture Society (UCAS). I’ve utilised my skills in the Adobe suite, to grow our social reach by more than 15 percent in just 6 weeks. This work has helped support membership growth and increased participation in events. While these two roles are important, my core goal with UCAS has always been to promote an active and engaged student culture.

I would build on my experience from UCAS and my already established relationships with my student peers to grown SONA membership at the university and advocate for students.

ONLINE

Ruben Cardoso Aguiar

Bachelor of Applied Science (Architecture), Curtin University (online)

Karyn Bogus

Bachelor of Applied Science Interior Architecture, Curtin University (online)

SONA REPRESENTATIVE ROLE AND APPLICATION

SONA REPRESENTATIVES

SONA Representatives are ambassadors for SONA and the Australian Institute of Architects at your University. Reps help to intensify student’s university study and social experiences, providing opportunities for professional networking and career development.