ALLY Network

The ALLY Network is an initiative of the Equal Opportunity Unit at Flinders University designed to enhance University culture by creating a more welcoming and inclusive environment for members of the Flinders community who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, intersex, questioning and queer (GLBTTIQQ).

Why have an ALLY network at Flinders?
What is an ALLY?
What an ALLY is not
What to expect from an ALLY
Expectations of an ALLY
Becoming an ALLY
Contact an ALLY

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Barber becomes Patron of ALLY Network

In May 2008 Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Barber became the Patron for the ALLY Network.  In doing so, he believes he makes a clear statement that he supports diverse sexualities on campus and that he does not tolerate discrimination or harassment or bullying.

  

Why have an ALLY Network at Flinders?

Recent Australian research and anecdotal evidence shows that prejudicial behaviours based on sexuality frequently occur in schools and tertiary institutions, including Flinders University. This is despite the existence of anti-discrimination legislation and policies. A visible presence of ALLYs on campus goes some way in creating a safer and more welcoming environment for both new and current members of the Flinders community who do not identify as heterosexual by:

• Proactively addressing prejudicial behaviours and language
• Providing a safe place for people to talk about issues related to sexuality and/or gender identity
• Educating people about issues related to sexuality and/or gender identity 
  

What is an ALLY?

ALLYs are staff and students who are knowledgeable in, receptive to and understanding of GLBTTIQQ issues.

ALLYs provide a safe place to talk for members of the Flinders community who seek support in a confidential environment.

ALLYs act as a contact point for staff or students and are able to discuss GLBTTIQQ issues in essays, curriculum, finding information, resources, support, coming out and other life issues.

ALLYs are representative of the entire Flinders community and are therefore not identified on the basis of their sexuality.

What an ALLY is NOT

An ALLY is not: 

• someone with ready-made answers
• necessarily a counsellor, nor necessarily trained to deal with crisis situations
• necessarily able to provide assistance with the grievance process associated with harassment or discrimination.

The Equal Opportunity Contact Officers and Equal Opportunity and Diversity Officers are available to provide this.

What to expect from an ALLY

• An open, accepting attitude
• To be listened to, to be understood and be able to explore the issues
• Confidentiality
• A wide variety of referral avenues both on and off campus

Expectations of an ALLY

• Completion of essential training and interview process.
• Act as a role model for the University in terms of their language and behaviour.
• Proactively addressing behaviours considered prejudicial towards sexual diversity.
• Knowing when to refer on / seek further assistance.
• Attending occasional ALLY meetings and information sessions on various issues.

Becoming an ALLY

Because most people grow up in a world that is predominantly heterosexual, our beliefs, attitudes and behaviours are often shaped by this, with assumptions made and entrenched in our culture. However this ‘one size fits all’ model does not necessarily accommodate GLBTTIQQ people. The process of alliance to GLBTTIQQ people and GLBTTIQQ issues can take time. For this reason, awareness training and information sessions that examine heterosexist assumptions are an essential part of becoming an ALLY. 

All ALLYs are subject to a screening process and training. Undertaking the training does not necessarily lead to becoming an ALLY and you may decide the role is not one you feel comfortable with and so choose not to become an ALLY.

If you are interested in becoming an ALLY, please email equal.opportunity@flinders.edu.au or contact (08) 8201 3735.

Contact an ALLY

Look for an official ALLY sign on an office door.

Contact details

Name	Position	Department/Faculty/Organisation	Email
Janet Armitage (Ms)	Associate Dean (Village)	Flinders Housing	janet.armitage@flinders.edu.au
Barbara Baird (Assoc Prof)	Head	Women's Studies	barbara.baird@flinders.edu.au
Jess Bartley (Ms)	Student		bart0245@flinders.edu.au
Josh Bedson (Mr)	Student	Flinders Campus Community Services (FCCS)	beds0008@flinders.edu.au
Gill Blacket (Ms)	Digital Resources Librarian	Library	gill.blacket@flinders.edu.au
Alan Branford (Dr)	Deputy Head	School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics & Engineering	alan.branford@flinders.edu.au
Lesley Bretag (Mrs)	Counsellor	Health, Counselling and Disability	lesley.bretag@flinders.edu.au
Heather Brook (Dr)		Women's Studies	heather.brook@flinders.edu.au
Toni Crisci (Ms)	Disibility Advisor	Health, Counselling and Disability	toni.crisci@flinders.edu.au
Margaret Davies (Professor)	Associate Dean (Research)	Law	margaret.davies@flinders.edu.au
Tom Fraser (Mr)	Student Assist	Flinders One	tom.fraser@flinders.edu.au
Kate Douglas (Dr)	Senior Lecturer, Honours Convenor	English, Creative Writing and Australian Studies	kate.douglas@flinders.edu.au
Anne Hayes (Ms)	Psychologist	Health and Counselling	anne.hayes@flinders.edu.au
Simone Hasda (Ms)	Student Assist	Flinders One	simone.hasda@flinders.edu.au
Mary Heath (Assoc Prof)	Associate Dean (Teaching)	Law	mary.heath@flinders.edu.au
Michael Hooke (Mr)	Student Assist	Flinders One	michael.hooke@flinders.edu.au
Christian Kotz (Mr)	Student		kotz0008@flinders.edu.au
Deb King (Dr)	Senior Research Fellow	National Institute of Labour Studies	deb.king@flinders.edu.au
Anthony Langlois (Dr)	Senior Lecturer in Political and International Studies	School of Political and International Studies	anthony.langlois@flinders.edu.au
Jennifer Leske (Ms)	Coordinator Transition to University	Transition to University Office	jennifer.leske@flinders.edu.au
Liz McNeill (Ms)	Part-time Tutor	School of Nursing and Midwifery	liz.mcneill@flinders.edu.au
Paul Marks (Mr)	Lecturer	Legal Studies	paul.marks@flinders.edu.au
Joey Mazanek (Mr)	Student		maza0002@flinders.edu.au
Donna Neilson (Ms)	ESOS Compliance Officer	Enrolment Services, Student Centre	donna.neilson@flinders.edu.au
Adam Odell (Mr)	Student		odel0006@flinders.edu.au
Lisa O'Neill (Ms)	Manager	Equal Opportunity and Diversity	lisa.oneill@flinders.edu.au
Donald Pate (Professor)	Deputy Chair, BA Board	Archaeology	donald.pate@flinders.edu.au
Marcus Patterson (Mr)	Student	Law	patt0088@flinders.edu.au
Sophie Pointer (Dr)	Assistant Director	School of Medicine, Research Centre for Injury Studies	sophie.pointer@flinders.edu.au
Damien Riggs (Dr)		Social Sciences	damien.riggs@flinders.edu.au
Andrea Rohde (Ms)	Counsellor	Health, Counselling and Disability	andrea.rohde@flinders.edu.au
Karen Smith (Ms)	Administrative Officer	School of Psychology	karen.smith@flinders.edu.au
Anne Thompson (Dr)	Director	Drama Centre	anne.thompson@flinders.edu.au
Jan Thompson (Ms)	Academic staff	School of Nursing and Midwifery	jan.thompson@flinders.edu.au
Paula Williams (Ms)	Disability Advisor	Health, Counselling and Disability	paula.williams@flinders.edu.au
Bevin Wilson (Mr)	Senior Lecturer/Coordinator	Yunggorendi, First Nations Centre for Higher Education and Research	bevin.wilson@flinders.edu.au
Andrew Wood (Mr)	Head of Health and Student Counselling	Health, Counselling and Disability	andrew.wood@flinders.edu.au
Jackie Wurm (Ms)	Administrative Officer	Policy and Secretariat	jackie.wurm@flinders.edu.au
Rossi von der Borch (Dr)	Academic staff	Political and International Studies	rosslyn.vonderborch@flinders.edu.au