Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations

Last updated
Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations
AbbreviationCAPA
PredecessorN/A
Formation1979;46 years ago (1979)
HeadquartersLevel 1, 120 Clarendon St, Southbank, Victoria 3006.
Location
Membership33 affiliated university student organisations representing over 440,000 students
President
Jesse Gardner-Russell
Vice-President
Richard Lee
Key people
Board Chair: Viknash VM
Board Secretary: Mitchell Craig
Board Treasurer: Yujia (Lucy) Zhang
NATSIPA Board Appointee: Dr Sharlene Leroy-Dyer
Media and Communications Officer: Taylor Broadbent
Policy and Research Officer: Maxim Jon Buckley
Disabilities Officer: Gemma Smart
International Students Officer: Weihong Liang
Regional Officer: Charlie Tran
Women's Officer: Vaness Yap
Queer Officer: Natrydd Sigurthur
Main organ
Board of Directors
AffiliationsAustralian Council of Graduate Research
Science and Technology Australia
Website https://www.capa.edu.au/

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) is the peak representative body for postgraduate students in Australia. CAPA's members are 33 postgraduate associations and the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Postgraduate Association (NATSIPA). CAPA provides member associations with representation to the Federal government, and peak bodies such as the Australian Research Council and Universities Australia, on issues affecting postgraduate students in Australia. In 2017, Australia had over 400,000 postgraduate students, representing one quarter of all tertiary students in Australia. [1]

Contents

Recognising the dual roles of many postgraduate students, CAPA works in collaboration with the National Union of Students where matters impact on all students (such as voluntary student unionism and funding for higher education), and with the National Tertiary Education Union regarding issues of employment in the tertiary education sector, particularly on the casualisation of the academic workforce.

CAPA has an office located at the NTEU National office in Melbourne, Victoria. Its Annual Council Meeting (ACM), where organisational issues and policy directives are decided, is hosted by a different constituent organisation each year.

History

CAPA was founded in 1979 by a coalition of ten postgraduate organisations in order to protest taxation on postgraduate research scholarships. [2] Historically, CAPA has been concerned with lobbying around fees on postgraduate degrees.

In 1998, a separate organisation, the National Indigenous Postgraduate Association (NIPA) was formed within CAPA. [3] This association became the National Indigenous Postgraduate Association Aboriginal Corporation (NIPAAC) in 1999, and was later restructured as the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Postgraduate Association (NATSIPA) in 2015.

Structure

CAPA consists of elected representatives who sit on the Board and the National Representative Council. Board Directors are elected with terms of 2 years, and are the governing committee under the Association Incorporation Reform Act. Whereas, the National Representative Committee are elected with terms of 1 year and execute CAPA's representative and advocacy functions. Elections are held at the Annual Council Meeting by the membership, which is held in November or December.

2025 National Representative Committee

Position [4] NameUniversity Campus
National PresidentJesse Gardner-RussellThe University of Melbourne
Vice PresidentRichard LeeThe University of Queensland
Media & Communications OfficerTaylor BroadbentThe University of Melbourne
NATSIPA Liaison OfficerDr Sharlene Leroy-DyerThe University of Melbourne
Policy and Research AdvisorMaxim Jon BuckleyThe University of Adelaide
International OfficerWeihong LiangThe University of Sydney
Women's OfficerVaness YapThe University of Tasmania
Queer OfficerNatrydd SigurthurThe University of South Australia
Disabilities OfficerGemma Lucy SmartThe University of Sydney
Regional OfficerCharlie TranGriffith University

2025 Board of directors

Position [5] NameTermMembershipUniversity Campus
Board ChairViknash VM2023–2025, 1st TermElectedThe University of Western Australia
Board SecretaryMitchell Craig2025–2026, 1st TermElectedCurtin University
Board TreasurerYujia (Lucy) Zhang2025–2026, 1st TermAppointedThe University of Melbourne
Board MemberVivian Bai2025–2026, 1st TermElectedThe University of Sydney
Board MemberDr Sharlene Leroy-Dyer2019 -2024, 3rd TermAppointed by NATSIPAThe University of Melbourne
Board MemberAnumanthram Senthilkumar2025–2026, 1st TermAppointedMonash University
Board MemberAmitabh Jeganathan2025–2026, 1st TermElectedThe University of Western Australia
Board MemberCraig Wilson2025–2026, 1st TermAppointedSouthern Cross University

Past office bearers

National Presidents

YearNameUniversity Campus
1979Andrew Pik
1980Robert Biggins
1981Suw Hatherly
1982Russel JacobsMonash University
1983Russel JacobsMonash University
1983Hal SwerissenMurdoch University
1985Catherine Cuthbert
1985Anne SeitzMonash University
1986Anne SeitzMonash University
1987Anne SeitzMonash University
1988Tony Ryan
1989Monica Carroll to

Katw le Strange

1990Paul DworjanynThe University of New South Wales
1991Teresa TjiaThe University of Western Australia
1992Teresa TijaThe University of Western Australia
1993Shane Ostenfield
1994Oliver Simmonson
1995Simon van der AaUniversity of Tasmania
1996Danielle Brown
1997Danielle Brown to

Bronwyn Fredericks

Queensland University of Technology
1998Robert Jansen to

Jill Thorpe

The Australian National University

The University of Adelaide

1999Tom ClarkVictoria University
2000Bradley SmithThe University of Queensland
2001John ByronThe University of Sydney
2002Leisa RidgesUniversity of Wollongong
2003Benjamin McKayCharles Darwin University
2004Stephen HortonJames Cook University
2005Stephen HortonJames Cook University
2006Jason HartUniversity of Wollongong
2007Nigel PalmerFlinders University
2008Nigel PalmerFlinders University
2009Nigel PalmerFlinders University
2010Tammi JonasThe University of Melbourne
2011John NowakowskiThe University of Sydney
2012Chamonix Terblanche to

Meghan Hopper

Curtin University

Monash University

2013Meghan HopperMonash University
2014Meghan Hopper to

Vino Rajandran

Monash University

University of Tasmania

2015Harry RolfUniversity of Tasmania
2016Jim SmithThe University of Melbourne
2017Peter DerbyshireThe University of Western Australia
2018Natasha AbrahamsMonash University
2019Natasha AbrahamsMonash University
2020Romana-Rea BegicivicCurtin University
2021Errol PhuahSwinburne University of Technology
2022Nidzam Shah HussainSwinburne University of Technology
2023Nidzam Shah HussainSwinburne University of Technology
2024Zunayed Mustafa (Resigned July 2024) to

Yujia (Lucy) Zhang (Acting) to

Richard Lee

Swinburne University of Technology

The University of Melbourne

The University of Queensland

Vice Presidents

Vice President
YearNameUniversity Campus
2019 - position createdRachel BrisbaneVictoria University
2020Bojana Klepac to

Errol Phuah

Victoria University

Swinburne University of Technology

2021Adam Scorgie (resigned May 2021)The University of Adelaide
2022Muhammad Bilal ShaikhEdith Cowan University
2023Anumanthram SenthilkumarMonash University
2024Yujia (Lucy) ZhangThe University of Melbourne
Vice President - National Operations Committee (Discontinued)
YearName
1981 - position createdRussel Jacobs
1982Mike Lawson
1983Hal Swerissen
1984Katherine Ingram
1985Gary Baker
1986William Renfrew
1987Willian Renfrew
1988Adele Milne to John Frame
1989Kate le Strange to Tracy Cross
1990-
1991-
1992-
1993Oliver Simmonson
1994Ramona Mitussis
1995Danielle Brown
1996Joe Brennan & Phil Reid
1997Bronwyn Fredericks to Sali Bache
1998Jill Thorpe to Tom Clark
1999Steve Warren
2000Harriet Baillie
2001Angela Pratt
2002Jasmina Brankovich
2003Svetia Petkova
2004Benjamin McKay
2005-
2006-
2007-
2008Katherine Barnsley
2009Tammi Jonas
2010-
2011Philippa Hunter
2012Harry Rolf
2013Harry Rolf
2014David Nowak
2015Jim Smith
2016Zhao (Joe) Lu
2017Dylan Styles
2018Anish Saini
2019 - Discontinued-
Vice President - Equity (Discontinued)
YearName
2009 - position createdKatherine Barnsley
2010-
2011Meghan Hopper
2012Angelus Morningstar to Areti Metuamate
2013Alex Chung
2014Sadie Heckenberg & Vino Rajandran
2015Mia Kwok
2016Alyssa Shaw
2017Vibol Hy
2018Mick Fox
2019 - Discontinued-


National Secretary

General Secretary (National Secretary & Treasurer position merge in 2015)

National Secretary and Treasurer position un-merge in 2025

YearName
1980 - position createdGeoff Prince
1981Paul Wormell
1982 Catherine Foley
1983Rita Hermus
1984Harold Thornton
1985Brenda Biggs
1986Paul Lewis & Rick Moore
1987Steven Harvey
1988David Albrecht
1989Lorraine M Elliot
1990Sue Weston
1991Barbara Murray
1992Barbara Murray
1993Christine Beveridge
1994Craig Meer
1995Jane Fischer
1996Paul Vince
1997Steven Warren
1998Steven Warren
1999Alana Chinn
2000Alana Clohesy
2001Alister Air
2002James Taylor
2003Gavin Hazel
2004 -Gavin Hazel
2005 - 2007-
2008 -Bronwyn Crowe
2009 -Bronwyn Crowe
2010 --
2011 -Joseph Provenzano
2012John Nowakowski
2013James Searle
2014Eduardo Jordan
2015Andi Deane
2016Peter Hurley
2017Natasha Abrahams
2018Dylan Styles
2019Rachael Brisbane
2020Bojana Klepac to Errol Phuah
2021Saira Khan
2022Nicholas O'Neill
2023Muhammad Bilal Shaikh
2024Simar Bedi (Resigned July 2024)
2025 - Discontinued
Board Secretary
YearNameUniversity Campus
2019 - position createdMay MajimbiCurtin Unive
2020Adam ScorgieThe University of Adelaide
2021Nidzam Shah Hussain to Brinda AsarpotaSwinburne University of Technology
2022Alan WangThe University of Adelaide
2023Alan WangThe University of Adelaide
2024Viknash VMThe University of Western Australia

Board Chair

Board Chair
YearNameUniversity Campus
2019 - position createdPeter Watson
2020Saira KhanGriffith University
2021Peter Watson to

Nidzam Shah Hussain

Swinburne University of Technology
2022Edward Satchell to

Sharlene Leroy-Dyer

The University of Melbourne
2023Radhik Rammohan to

Muhammad Rana

Monash University

Charles Sturt University

2024Jesse Gardner-RussellThe University of Melbourne

Treasurer

Treasurer (discontinued 2015-2024)
YearName
1981 - position createdTim Dabbs
1982 -Ken Straham
1983 -Ken Straham
1984 -Elizabeth Kerr
1985 -Elizabeth Kerr
1986 -John Frame
1987 -John Frame
1988 -Timothy Littlejohn
1989 -Jane Murfett
1990 -Brian Jardine
1991 -David Smith
1992 -David Smith
1993 -David Smith
1994 -Richard Matejic
1995 -Ken Taylor
1996 -Andrew Grienke
1997 -Andrew Grienke
1998 -Andrew Woolf
1999 -Rod Jarman
2000 -Rod Jarman
2001 -David Coffman
2002 -David Coffman
2003 -Prem Legha
2004 -Kristen Thuy Hunyh
2005 - 2007
2008 -Nick McCarthy
2009 -Melissa Lovell
2010 -
2011 -Pricilla Rogers
2012 -Adrian Soh
2013 -Sharangan Maheswaran
2014 -Arjuna Mohattala
2015 - Discontinued
2025 - Re-established as Board Treasurer

Board of Directors

Board Directors
YearTypeNameUniversity
2019 - 2021 (Resigned September 2021)ElectedPeter WatsonUniversity of Western Australia
2019 (Resigned July 2019)ElectedNaomi HastingsWestern Sydney University
2019ElectedZyl Hovenga-WauchopeThe Australian National University
2019 - 2021ElectedMay MajimbiCurtin University
2019 - 2021ElectedSaira KhanGriffith University
2020 - 2020ElectedAdam ScorgieThe University of Adelaide
2020 - 2021ElectedNithin ReddyRoyal Melbourne Institute of Technology
2020 - 2021ElectedAidan Cornelius-BellFlinders University
2020 (August) - 2021 (Resigned November 2021)AppointedJessica LuMonash University
2020 (August) - 2021 (Resigned September 2021)AppointedTiana BastowThe University of Adelaide
2020 (August) - 2021 (Resigned November 2021)AppointedBrinda AsarpotaCurtin University
2021 (Resigned September 2021)ElectedJeremy WaiteThe University of Melbourne
2021ElectedNidzam Shah HussainSwinburne University of Technology
2021 - 2022ElectedSimran KaurGriffith University
2022 - 2023AppointedShriya HenrySwinburne University of Technology
2022 - 2023AppointedKaran MehtaRoyal Melbourne Institute of Technology
2022 - 2023AppointedAlan WangDeakin University
2022 - 2023AppointedVineet PrabhakarRoyal Melbourne Institute of Technology
2022 (Resigned September 2022)ElectedEdward SatchellThe University of South Australia
2023 (Resigned July 2023)ElectedRadhik RammohanMonash University
2023 - 2024ElectedMuhammad RanaCharles Sturt University
2024ElectedJesse Gardner-RussellThe University of Melbourne
2024 (Resigned July 2024)ElectedKishaun ThiruvelchamSwinburne University of Technology
2024 - PresentElectedViknash VMUniversity of Western Australia

International Officer

International Officer
2019Devendra Singh
2020Devendra Singh
2021
2022Vacant
2023Hameed Mohammad
2024Vacant

Executive and Research Officer - Policy and Research Officer

Executive and Research Officer - Policy and Research Officer
1982 - position createdMarion Zaunbrecher
1983Linda Barwick
1984Jan Macintyre
1985 - 1994
1995Mark Frankland
1996Mark Frankland
1997Mark Frankland
1998Mark Frankland
1999Mark Frankland
2000Mark Frankland
2001Mark Frankland & Karen Mann & Hilary Pearse
2002 - 2010
2011 - re-introduced as Policy & Research AdvisorTammi Jonas
2012Meghan Hopper
2013Angelus Morningstar
2014Sharangan Maheswaran
2015Peter Derbyshire
2016Vikraman Selvaraja
2017Simon Burnett
2018Simon Burnett
2019Owen Miles
2020Errol Phuah
2021Eve Walker (resigned May 2021)
2022Vacant
2023Vacant
2024Saad Masood (Resigned July 2024)

Media & Communications Officer

Media & Communications Officer
2015 - position createdCaitlin Bruty
2016Natasha Abrahams
2017Damilola ayeni
2018Zoe Tulip
2019Zoe Tulip
2020Anushka Kapoor
2021Anushka Kapoor
2022Vacant
2023Vacant
2024Jordan Di Natale (Resigned July 2024)

Notable People

Below is a non-exhaustive list of some notable former executives and their achievements.

See also

References

  1. "2015 First half year student summary tables". Australian Government Department of Education and Training. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  2. "Twenty five years of CAPA – the fight is far from over" (PDF). Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  3. "About NATSIPA". NATSIPA. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  4. "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
  5. "Office Bearers". CAPA. Retrieved 2025-02-05.