New student members of the Academic Board elected for 2023

Congratulations to Brad Watson and Andy Bennett who have been elected as student members of the University’s Academic Board for a term of two years, beginning 1 January 2023. Thank you to all students who participated in the nomination and election process.

Brad Watson, Higher Degree by Research student member

“I am a Salvation Army officer and currently a student undertaking a PhD program through Eva Burrows College. I work as the Head of Community Engagement Programs for The Salvation Army Australia and am based in Hobart, Tasmania, while studying part time.

I have a keen interest in academia, having been a formal student almost my entire adult life. I hold a BTheol (MCD), an MMin (ACD), a Master of International & Community Development (Deakin) and an MBA (Deakin), and recently passed my confirmation panel as part of my PhD program at the University of Divinity. I am also a graduate of the Royal Military College Duntroon (Specialist officer) and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

My board experience covers both Salvation Army and external groups, including a term as chair of Schools Ministry Group South Australia and a recent appointment to the board of St John Ambulance Tasmania. I spent two years as the Pastoral representative on the Social Sciences Human Research Ethics Committee at the University of Tasmania.

I enjoy keeping fit, travelling, playing music (I’m a pianist and trumpeter) reading and spending time with my family, Zoe, Dominic & Jason.”

Andy Bennett, Coursework student member

“Sitting in Keith Dyer’s ‘Introduction to the New Testament’ first class in 2018, day one of my classes at Whitley College, I distinctly remember thinking “why didn’t I do this sooner?”. Prior to studying, I split my working time between working in a recording studio, freelancing in video work and solving problems in the tourism industry with technology. Recent world events have opened up new opportunities for me. While studying my Bachelor of Theology part-time, I’m currently heading up media, production and communications at one2one Church of Christ in Ballarat, alongside working for an education technology company based in Melbourne. Outside of work and study, I’m dating a lovely woman, and when the weather is nice, I enjoy getting out on the water in a kayak, or jumping on my bike and going for a ride. I’m excited about this next opportunity to sit on the Academic Board.”