Six Distinguished Alumni are being celebrated, including:
- Chief of Army Lieutenant General Susan Coyle AM CSC DSM; in recognition of her distinguished national service and historic leadership as a trailblazer in the Australian Defence Force, and her landmark appointment as the first female Chief of Army.
- Indigenous educator Professor Lynette Riley AO; in recognition of her distinguished leadership in Indigenous education and reconciliation, and her foundational role in establishing UNE’s Oorala Aboriginal Centre.
- Businesswoman and philanthropist Susan Rix AM; in recognition of her pioneering leadership in accounting and governance, and her distinguished service through extensive community philanthropy.
- Telecommunications innovator Apirom Thanee; in recognition of his distinguished leadership in telecommunications and pioneering impact on Australia’s mission-critical public safety and transport infrastructure.
- Public servant, banker and singer-songwriter John Walker AM; in recognition of his distinguished global leadership in finance and public service, and his pioneering impact on international relations and humanitarian causes and
- Pioneering agricultural sociologist Dr Ann Waters-Bayer, in recognition of her distinguished global leadership in rangeland stewardship and her pioneering impact on participatory agricultural research and advocacy for pastoralist communities worldwide.
A Community Award this year goes to Lisa Goldzieher, the creative founder of Empty Space Productions, and Rising Star Award recipients are Abdullah Alruwaili and Solomon Birhanie. Abdullah is the Associate Professor of the Emergency Medical Services Program at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, and infectious diseases and public health specialist Solomon is the Scientific Director of the West Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District Office in Southern California.
UNE Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Moran said UNE alumni distinguish themselves every day across Australia and around the world.
“This year’s Alumni Award recipients demonstrate the far-reaching impact our alumni have across all sectors of society,” he said. “They exemplify our values – to be bold, kind, accountable and connected – and apply their UNE education in powerful ways.”
Distinguished Alumni Awards recognise those who have made significant contributions during the course of their careers, displaying outstanding leadership and embodying UNE’s values.
UNE’s Community Alumni Awards pay tribute to significant contributions (through paid or unpaid work) in the community sector, philanthropic or public life or through support for not-for-profit organisations.
Each year, UNE also names Rising Star Award winners (from graduates from the past 15 years) who have displayed outstanding leadership and will inspire future generations of UNE graduates.
“Thank you to all alumni who shared their achievements with us via award nominations this year,” said Professor Moran. “I warmly congratulate those who have received awards, as well as the countless other alumni working quietly to improve the lives of others.”
We will share the inspirational stories of all award winners in the weeks to come.
