A Heartfelt Farewell from Your 2023/24 Development Officer, Temi!

As I near the end of my term as your Development Officer, my heart is filled with immense gratitude and deep emotion as I reflect on the incredible journey of the past five years. The growth we’ve experienced, the challenges we overcame, and the victories we celebrated together have been truly humbling.

Let’s go back to the beginning of this unforgettable chapter. It feels like just yesterday when I, a young and anxious law student, arrived on campus in 2019. The excitement of independence mixed with the homesickness created a whirlwind of emotions. Yet, in the midst of uncertainty, the union became my sanctuary. Here, I found my community and purpose, starting as the Raising and Giving (RAG) secretary in my first year, advancing to Vice President in my second year, and eventually becoming President in my final year. This journey introduced me to peers who understood my struggles, friends who supported me, and a network I could always rely on.

I vividly remember, at 19, applying to be the Union Actioning Board Chair, now known as the Student Council Chair. I held the officer team accountable to their promise to serve the student body, never imagining that I would one day face the same scrutiny. In my second year, I became a student trustee, responsible for the organisation’s future and holding Senior Leadership accountable. Little did I know, this path would lead me to eventually chair the board myself.

During a crucial Groups Zone meeting in my second year, then-Development Officer Mike Kiddell offered me the chance to represent Groups as their chair. This role gave me a deep understanding of group dynamics and set me on the path to run for Development Officer in the 2022 election.

This journey, filled with both challenges and triumphs, has shaped who I am today. Serving you, growing with you, and leading you has been an honour and privilege. As I prepare to leave this role, my heart is full of love and gratitude for each of you. Thank you for letting me be part of something greater than myself. Thank you for believing in me and supporting me. You are not just colleagues and friends; you are my family, and in that, I find my greatest joy and fulfilment. But we come to an end of an era, a new dawn begins with Dan as your new Development Officer, I wish her and her team the best of luck in her their roles. Can't wait to see the great achievements they achieve together during their term.

Here’s to the memories we’ve made, the lessons we’ve learned, and the bonds we’ve forged. Here’s to the future and whatever it may bring. Here’s to us, united in strength, love, and passion. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

〜 Temi 💜