UNION COLLEGE BOARD MEMBERS
The College Board is the governing body of Union College and comprises members of the university community, past and present residents of Union College, the Head of College, and representatives of the broader community. The College Board meets quarterly to oversee the administration, strategic direction and finances of Union College, in addition to providing valuable input to the various sub-committees on which they serve.
CHAIR OF THE BOARD
MRS REBCCA FREATH
PROF MATTHEW BALL
MR CHRIS BURGESS
MR JAMES DOYLE
MR DAMIEN FINGER
MS RACQUEL GIBBONS
PROF JOSEPH GROTOWSKI
MS SANDRA HOLLINGSWORTH
DR CRAIG HUME
MR MARCUS RAU
DR LIAM SMITH
UNION COLLEGE STAFF
Head of College/CEO
Adjunct Professor Fiona Hawthorne
Telephone: 07 3377 1832
Email: fiona.hawthorne@unioncollegeuq.com.au
Deputy Head of College: Finance & Operations
Dane Hermann
Telephone: 07 3377 1847
Email: d.hermann@unioncollegeuq.com.au
Resident Engagement & Programs Manager
Reenah Jays
Reenah coordinates the Tutorial and Development programs at Union College. She is passionate about helping residents achieve academic and personal success so they can contribute positively and confidently to the world around them. Working previously as a Librarian and Team Leader of student Orientation programs, Reenah understands how important it is for Residents to feel supported when living away from home, tackling University for the first time. Reenah is currently studying a Graduate Diploma in Education (Career Development & Counselling), allowing students access to qualified career guidance.
When she is not consulting or planning, you can find Reenah eating all the biscuits in the staff kitchen or organising as many animal therapy visits as Union College can handle!
Telephone: 07 3377 1816
Email: tutorials@unioncollegeuq.com.au
Business Manager
Julie Tate
Julie is a strategic and people-focused Business Manager committed to creating an exceptional residential experience for the Union College community and strengthening culture within the UC Staff team. With a background across major projects, customer experience, tourism, and organisational development, Julie brings a unique blend of operational leadership and relationship-driven management to the College.
She oversees the College’s business operations, finance, administration, and service delivery partnerships, ensuring systems, services, and spaces support students to thrive academically and socially. Julie is passionate about continuous improvement and fostering a welcoming environment where every resident feels supported, connected, and at home.
A proud Redlands Coast local and active SES volunteer, Julie is driven by purpose, community, and the impact of small, everyday moments of care. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring local coastal trails with her family and dogs and is an avid Brisbane Broncos tragic.
Telephone: 07 3377 1500
Email: j.tate@unioncollegeuq.com.au
Marketing & Communications Officer
Elyse McMillan
Elyse is all about connections — luckily, this is essential to her role as Union College’s Marketing & Communications Officer! She carries a diverse range of transferrable skills across several industries, with a passion for CRM and strategic communication, and enjoys bringing brands to life both digitally and traditionally. Elyse is especially keen to introduce new marketing strategies into the College, with a focus on deepening awareness, engagement, and positive perception of the brand.
She’s a big fan of merch drops, showcasing the College in all its glory, and ensuring that residents and key stakeholders receive exceptional, relevant, and streamlined communication across external and internal messaging channels. She loves a chat and is glad to have found a career to facilitate that!
Having spent multiple summers leading a summer camp on the shores of Canada’s Lake Muskoka, Elyse is passionate about supporting and cheering on the success of young adults, especially the Union College residents. Beyond the College gates, she’s a WWE fanatic and thinks life is best enjoyed as a series of side quests.
Telephone: 07 3377 1500
Email: marketing@unioncollegeuq.com.au
Admissions Administrator
Jade Smith
Jade is a student-focused admissions administrator, who has significant experience working within vocational and higher education and has worked for major non-profits and Brisbane-based universities.
Jade oversees the admissions processes and is always there to give students a gentle reminder of when their fees are due. Jade loves working with and helping students during the admissions process to make their time at Union College welcoming and supportive.
Outside of work, Jade pursues creative interests including acting, reading (an avid reader), writing and is currently studying part-time, a Masters of Creative Writing at Edith Cowan University.
Telephone: 07 3377 1819
Email: admissions@unioncollegeuq.com.au
Executive Officer & Company Secretary
Janet O’Hara
Experienced, approachable, and a true team player, Janet brings over 20 years of expertise in executive administration and board governance within higher education. She is passionate about enhancing organisational efficiency, driving governance best practices, and promoting transparent and effective decision-making across institutions.
In her role as Executive Officer of The University of Queensland Union College, Janet provides high-level executive support to the Head of College I CEO and Deputy Head of College I Deputy CEO. She expertly manages incoming requests, prioritises tasks, and ensures the executive team can focus on high-level initiatives. As Company Secretary to the Union College Board, Janet brings a wealth of experience in committee governance and procedural oversight. She is recognised for her strategic mindset and ability to foster collaboration at all levels.
Janet’s extensive experience has sharpened her ability to manage complex workflows, uphold confidentiality, and communicate with clarity and diplomacy. She handles challenging situations with professionalism, empathy, and composure, and her attention to detail and proactive approach to problem-solving are hallmarks of her work.
Telephone: 07 3377 1851
Email: executiveofficer@unioncollegeuq.com.au
Sustainability Advisor
Tim Dhakal
Tim is the Sustainability Advisor at Union College, where he focuses on enhancing operational efficiency and promoting sustainable living among students.
With a robust background in Environmental Management and a specialization in Sustainable Development, Tim addresses university challenges through a system-thinking approach, offering practical solutions for residents.
When not advising at Union College, Tim also works as a Scientific Officer at the University of Queensland. In his free time, he enjoys bushwalking and eating new native foods.
Email: sustainability@unioncollegeuq.com.au
Payroll & Accounts Team
Ellishea Banning & Anna Cleary
Telephone: 07 3377 1500
Email: finance@unioncollegeuq.com.au
Facilities & Maintenance Team
Andrew Doohan & Chris Jones