Meet our Alumni
We understand that engaging with UNE needs to be meaningful to you, a value add, and at the same time helps to advance the mission of the University. You can engage with the university through your involvement with a current student, a prospective student, helping someone to be graduate, a career opportunity or connecting with your fellow alumni.
If you are passionate about inspiring new generations of UNE students, there is something you can share with us: your story. If you'd like to share your story, please get in contact with us via the My Story form.
Alternatively you can email alumni@une.edu.au
People
Chris Abbott
Chris Abbott wants to ensure that regional NSW children and their families are able to access a great opportunity to play with meaning. Chris is the Chair of The Abbott Foundation, and previously co-funded funds management company Maple-Brown Abbott Limited in 1984. Three subsequent biotech businesses listed on the stock exchange later, and his investment in personal wellbeing extends far beyond medical and health companies.
Ebony Adams
Originally from Inverell, Ebony is a Gomeroi woman by birth and comes from a tight-knit family that has been an unwavering pillar of support for her for as long as she can remember, but particularly when it comes to her education.
Elizabeth Adler
For 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award winner Elizabeth Adler International affairs were a regular dinner-table topic of conversation growing up. Lively discussion ranged from humanitarian crises, to the importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Nathaniel Agnew
After graduating with First Class Honours in Classical Languages with a thesis on the nature imagery in the tragedies of Euripides, Nathaniel moved to Ancona, Italy, where he worked in a language school teaching English as a second language.
Musaed Alharbi
Losing a child is devastating for any parent. But the heartbreak of losing two children within six months, far from your family and support network, is incomprehensible. Ten years ago, when they moved to Australia from Saudi Arabia to study at UNE, Musaed Alharbi and his wife Badriah could not have imagined the devastating turn their lives would take. Theirs is a story of great sadness, but also of hope.
Becky Amon
Bachelor of Media & Communications graduate, Becky Amon, got her career start and education at UNE. Becky credits the small class sizes at UNE, plus one-on-one time with lecturers who knew and supported her for helping her achieve her career goals to work in social media.
Emeritus Professor Kym Anderson AC
Having grown up in rural South Australia, I was attracted to UNE for its rural location and because it had specialized degrees in agricultural economics and rural science. But I expected my career would broaden beyond things agricultural, because I wanted to focus on issues that promoted economic development and reduced poverty and inequality.
Dr Deborah Apthorp
A University of New England team could be one step closer to solving the mystery of how Parkinson's disease progresses, thanks to Impact Philanthropy funding from the Perpetual Foundation.
Charlie Arnott
Since 2004 Charlie Arnott, Bachelor of Rural Science (Hons) and Robb College resident, has been transitioning to regenerative practices and sharing his passion with others through social media and now a regular podcast (The Regenerative Journey) that unites producers, retailers, chefs and consumers.
Sarah Bailey
When Sarah was 18 years old, she found herself in Newcastle with no money, no job and no family support. Sarah didn’t have the marks or the financial means to go straight to university. Instead, she started her educational journey by enrolling in a Diploma of Natural Resource Management in Newcastle.
Claire Baker
Claire Baker completed a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology and Philosophy) and then Honours at UNE, earning the University Medal for her efforts. But she says she would never have been able to tackle a PhD or realise her academic aspirations without the help of her benefactor James Harris.
Professor Anne Bamford OBE
Professor Anne Bamford OBE, the Strategic Director of Education, Culture and Skills for the City of London, is considered a global innovator in education. A former visual arts teacher and university lecturer, she served as a world scholar for UNESCO from 2005-6, and has worked internationally to promote creativity, innovation, equity and diversity in education.
Lorina Barker
BOOKS were treasured items when Lorina Barker was growing up in an Aboriginal community on a sheep station out the back of Bourke: “Our house was always surrounded with them.” “They spilled over from every table, chair and cupboard; they were everywhere, and I read the ones my parents permitted me to read,” she says.
Dr Mark Barnett
Dr Mark Barnett's self-confessed biggest achievement is completing his PhD at UNE and starting his own business. Despite creating a busy and successful business in equine nutrition, MTB Equine Services, Mark finds time to help raise his five children as well as educate others through his online blog.
Paul Barratt AO
The UNE Foundation is charged with overseeing community donations is administered by an independent board with considerable expertise and life experience, including outgoing Chair of four years Paul Barratt AO. As Mr Barratt prepares to step down from the Director role he has held for 13 years, he reflected on his long and proud association with the University of New England.
Kym Barrett
Acclaimed costume designer Kym Barrett has a list of credits to rival any big-name Hollywood actor, spanning film, television and theatre. Los Angeles has been her home for 28 years now, but the diminutive creative is holed up in Sydney during the coronavirus lockdown, waiting for filming to resume on the Marvel superhero movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, when asked to reflect on where it all began.
Dr Warren Bartik
I completed my Phd fulltime at UNE after commencing in 2011. The focus of my study was the impact of suicide on young people in rural Australia. A lot of my work over the prior 15 or so years was with the local area health service and NSW Mental Health and supporting the mental health of rural young people including suicide prevention so this area of suicide research was a logical extension.
John Bates
Captain John Bates manages to combine his love of the ADF working remotely from the UK for the Reserves while running a construction business in Devon. His Bachelor of Organisational Leadership was achieved with the support and encouragement of the ADF.
Professor Emeritus Alan Bell
Perhaps the experience of travelling so far from home also gave the dairy farmer's son a passport to the future. For throughout his distinguished 50-year career in animal science Alan has worked on three continents - in Australia, the United States and Great Britain - at some of the world's most prestigious research institutions.
Jeanette Berman
Armidale academic and former Duval resident Dr Jeanette Berman has been recognised with an OAM for Services to Education.
'Tricia Blombery
Reflecting on her contributions to women’s education over the past 50 years, ‘Tricia Blombery says she sounds like “an idealistic nutter”. In her professional and voluntary roles, she has certainly maintained healthy optimism for the prospect of achieving equity and inclusion for all.
Olivia Bounds
Studying with UNE provided me with the flexibility I needed to complete my Diploma whilst simultaneously commencing my undergraduate degree in psychology in Adelaide.
Dr David Briggs AM
have had a long association with UNE both as Alumni and as an academic within the then School of Health. My UNE education included a Master of Health Management with 1st class Honours by research, my topic was ‘models of care in small rural communities’. I subsequently completed a Doctor of Philosophy where my research thesis was ‘the lived experience of health service managers, their perceptions of the health system and the health management role.
Senior Constable Dragoljub (Draz) Brkljac OAM
As the Police Youth Case Manager with the Police Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) in Parramatta, Sydney, he has become a powerful role model in his community and pioneered a range of positive programs for the previously disengaged and disenchanted.
Senior Constable Dragoljub (Draz) Brkljac OAM 's full profile
Hon. Dean Brown AO
Studying Rural Science at UNE taught former South Australian Premier Hon. Dean Brown AO many things about problem-solving and complex ecosystems, which was extremely useful during 27 years in the state's "bearpit". His experience of interstate rail travel proved equally memorable.
Sarah Brown AM
A former bush nurse, who completed a Diploma in Health Science (Nursing), Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies (Aboriginal Education) and Masters in Nursing at UNE, Sarah Brown has always played the long game.
Professor Denis Burnham
It was as an experience while completing his Honours degree at the University of New England (1971-1974) that, with hindsight, Denis believes shaped his future life's work. He was a 23-year-old expectant father, studying new theories on child development, psychology, and philosophy, including the age-old chestnut of nature versus nurture.
Terri Butler MP
Coronavirus may be keeping her physically from the floor of the House of Representatives, but MP Terri Butler is as busy as ever. People and businesses throughout her Queensland seat of Griffith are hungry for detail on the Coalition Government's rescue packages and she's conscious of offering much-needed support.
Dr Michelle Byrne
Hills Shire Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne need only drive around her fast-growing community for a reminder, if one were needed, of why she entered local government.
Nigel (Ned) Campbell
A scholarship had financial, social and personal benefits for UNE alumnus Nigel (Ned) Campbell, who used it as a springboard to career success. Now he demonstrates the far-reaching impact of educational philanthropy among his own clients.
Claire Chaffey
Claire Chaffey graduated from UNE in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts/Laws with Honours. She has since worked as a graduate lawyer, a journalist, a travel writer, and founder and publisher of French Living Magazine. Today, Claire is Managing Editor and Head of Communications for the NSW Law Society Journal, and has remained connected to the Sydney UNE Alumni Chapter.
Luke Chandler
Since studying Agricultural Economics at UNE, Luke's 25-year agribusiness career has seen him hold roles at the National Australia Bank, Australian Wheat Board and Rabobank. Now Managing Director Australia and New Zealand at John Deere, he's still in contact with former UNE classmates, many of whom have also become leaders in Australian agri-business.
Rachel Chant
Like most people working in the Australian arts industry, 2020 has been a year of dramatic highs and heartbreaking lows for UNE Arts and Theatre Studies alumna Rachel Chant.
Garry Clark
Teaching, performing and conducting music is the lively score of Garry Clark's life. It reaches rousing crescendos during performances at glamorous venues like the Sydney Opera House, but is just as captivating when the tempo changes and he's guiding novices through their first ensemble rehearsals.
Vanessa Clayton
Multi-talented Bachelor of Music graduate Vanessa Clayton (née Spark) has demonstrated that your undergraduate degree does not necessarily determine your career path. Having worked as a broadcast journalist for the ABC in Australia and CNN in London, Vanessa now runs a Sydney-based communications business specialising in writing, web content development, marketing and media training.
James Cleaver
James Cleaver could hardly have chosen a more challenging time to leave his comfortable job as a Dubbo solicitor and join the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) as a rural support worker. It was April 2018 and drought's grip on the state had tightened to a stranglehold.
Steve Conn
I had one year on campus and one year of online study. Both satisfied my academic requirements; living on campus was a whole different experience where I was able to meet plenty of people and have some great university times.
Nicole Conner
Narrative therapist and Adjunct History Lecturer at Eastern College, Wantirna, Nicole is inspired by positive change and teaching subjects she is passionate about.
Sarah Cook
Strength is often forged in the intense heat of fire. And so it was for accomplished athlete and UNE Distinguished Alumni Sarah Cook in the lead-up to the 2012 London Olympics.Having already won several World Rowing Championship and World Cup medals, the eight-time Australian champion was training hard for the pairs event, determined to secure that most elusive of sporting rewards, an Olympic gold.
Simone Cooper
Recent Master of Social Work graduate Simone Cooper has embarked on an exciting social work career in the UK. Her experience studying online while working full time was positive while she takes pride in a profession that has such “unique values.”
Tom Cooper
Since graduation, I’ve worked in a variety of professional roles at UNE, including teaching English and Academic Skills to International Students. For many years I was also a volunteer in the NSW State Emergency Service. I currently work in the International Office at UNE, traveling to faraway countries including Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Colombia (and everywhere between!) to recruit international students for UNE.
Sam Coupland
UNE Alumnus, ex-Robb College resident and Director of FMRC, Sam Copeland, reflects on how his UNE connections have contributed to his career success.
Michael Cornford
He had barely begun his Bachelor of Media and Communications/Theatre degree at UNE when Michael realised that his future lay not in journalism, but in the darkened wings of a theatre. He became involved in the first production of the amateur Felt Tip Theatre Company established by UNE alumnus Alex Robson, and went on to be a part of many subsequent Felt Tip productions, as well as the short play season of the Armidale Drama and Musical Society (ADMS).
Peter Cosier AM
UNE Alumnus and 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award winner Peter Cosier is at the forefront of land and water management across Australia.
Shaun Creighton
Ever had to ask for more time on an assignment? How about … so you could run in the Olympics?
Tom Croft and Daniel Emery
They were mates at high school, mates at UNE, and they are now – unusually – mates while they jointly build a thriving craft bar-and-brewery business.
Rob Cumming
I was pretty well the first University graduate to work in the “District offices” and manage parts of the tractor fleet, constructing dams and banks.
Tahnee Curtis
Tahnee Curtis is that rare person: someone who has forged a career in the Hollywood film and television industry. It was thanks to the encouragement of UNE Film and Television Studies lecturer Professor Dugald Williamson that Tahnee was encouraged to enrol in Arts310 and spent her fourth year at Washington State University.
Allira Cutmore
Ever since primary school Allira had wanted to play her part in empowering the community she loved. “Having family members that battled with alcohol and mental health and drugs and crime, I wanted to help people make better choices,” she says.
Doug Daft AC
A lifelong career with one of the world's most distinctive brands gave Douglas Daft AC, an early University of New England graduate, a platform from which to foster global business relations and corporate social responsibility.
Dan Daley
Earle Page College alumnus Dan Daley is a man of many talents. He is a champion equestrian horse rider and has enjoyed successful careers in banking and high school teaching. Recently Dan decided to follow his passion and get his legal practising certificate. He originally started working with Jo Birtles from Birtles Law but has recently taken on a new role at Everingham Solomon’s in Tamworth.
Dr Ann Daly
Dr Ann Daly is inspired inside and outside of work by people and projects working to achieve more equity and sustainability in Australian society and to support truth telling in history. Ann works with Friends of Myall Creek Memorial, which honours the 28 Aboriginal women, children and old men massacred in 1838.
Clare Davis
Her personal experience of grief and loss, coupled with years of professional experience, has informed Clare Davis' new book to support mental health and wellbeing.The UK-based UNE alumna has published Emotional Fitness: A-Z for Positive Mental Health to serve as a practical guide in good times and bad.
Anne de Bruin
Socio-economists look at economic behaviour and challenges through an interdisciplinary lens. Anne brings concepts and ideas from different disciplines like sociology, economic sociology and politics into her research.
Ben Deverson
Ben Deverson graduated from UNE in 2002 with a Bachelor of Professional Studies, Human Resources Development. Combining his time in the Australian Army with his passion for people-focused work, Ben has since worked his way up the corporate ladder. Today, he is the Founder & Director of Lawganised, a boutique management consultancy exclusively servicing the legal profession, and a member of the UNE Brisbane Alumni Chapter.
Ian Diamond
Retired minister Ian Diamond has always regarded his as a broad church that welcomes and supports all-comers. From his traditional parish work to walking beside prisoners, perpetrators of domestic abuse and drug offenders, it has singled him out as a religious maverick.
Martin Dolan
In his lyric poetry today, Martin Dolan draws deeply from a well of personal experiences to express strong emotions. With a medieval historian and archaeologist for parents, both once employed as lecturers at UNE, he grew up in a household that valued understanding the past.
Jone Draunimasi
Bachelor of Agricultural Economics graduate, Jone Draunimasi, now lives in Canberra and works as a sessional academic at ANU. Previously in his distinguished 13-year career as a diplomat, Jone represented his former country Fiji to the United Nations and in Australia as the Counsellor/Deputy High Commissioner of Fiji to Australia.
Emeritus Professor Peter Drysdale AO
From Canberra to Tokyo and Beijing to Delhi, his name is known in the highest echelons of government. For 50 years he has contributed to some of Australia's most sensitive and enduring economic partnerships in the Asia-Pacific, earning him many accolades.
Peter Dundon
Bachelor of Agricultural Economics graduate Peter "Benny" Dundon can trace one of the major turning points in his life back to an old friend he met at St Albert's College named John Bourke. Now the Armidale-based Manager of Livestock Exports at Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and a regular YouTube presenter, Peter is committed to educating others about the importance of good mental health.
Dr Stephen English
I am a farmer's son from Yorkshire, England. I first visited UNE for two months in 1971 on an English Speaking Union working visit scheme between the second and third years of my Agricultual Science degree at Nottingham. I was invited back to study for a PhD and spent five very enjoyable years at UNE residing in Earle Page College for a year and then in Austin College for four years.
James Farrell OAM
Community service is a thread that runs through the professional and personal life of UNE alumnus James Farrell, OAM. In 2009 he graduated with a Master of Laws. Today, he is the General Manager, Advocacy, for the community-based charity Cancer Council Queensland.
Neil Fergus
Neil Fergus graduated from UNE in ’84 with a Bachelor of Arts. Today, he is the Chief Executive Officer of market-leading international crisis and security firm, Intelligent Risks. Since graduating from UNE, Neil has had an inspiring and successful international career, including 20 years in federal and international government security, and advisor for seven Olympic Games.
Tim Fisher
Recently retired alumnus Tim Fisher has had a 35 year career as a curator for some of Australia’s major museums, galleries and libraries. Still happily retired, Tim shares some of his memories.
Dannielle Ford
There's no getting away from it, law remains a profession still largely dominated by men, especially at the top of the profession. Which makes the firm Cheney Suthers Lawyers in Orange, NSW, and the achievements of Dannielle Ford worth celebrating.
Marian Foster (née Budd)
Enrolling to studying Arts and pursue her passion for languages, 16-year-old Marian arrived from Murwullimbah in 1946, not long after World War II had ended. The three years that followed were a "charmed existence", the now 91-year-old recalls.
Timothy Francombe
Former Australian Army Major Tim Francombe has successfully transitioned to an exciting career and life in New York City in part thanks to his Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science degree.
Emily French
I started at Duval College in 2020. It was an amazing start to 2020, but who could have predicted how things would turn out!
Emily Gerrard
Growing up in regional Victoria, Emily Gerrard developed an innate curiosity about the natural world. Thanks to an astute school careers counsellor, a double degree from UNE and a lot of hard work, she's now effecting environmental change at the local, national and even international level.
Marty Gillett
Lieutenant Marty Gillett currently serves in the Australian Navy as a Maritime Warfare Officer Submariner at the Submarine Training and Systems Centre. He recently qualified with a Bachelor of Organisational Leadership which has helped Marty understand the difference between leading and effective leadership.
Professor John Gillies
Professor John Gillies, 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award winner and University of Essex luminary, has been based in the UK for the past 20 years, yet easily conjures up images of the day he arrived in Armidale in 1965 to begin his Bachelor of Arts degree.
Phillip Glyde
More than 1 million square kilometres spanning five states and one territory. Environmental heartland. Two million diverse stakeholders. Intense politics. Even so, UNE alumnus Phillip Glyde speaks with enthusiasm for the task calling it "the best job I've ever had."
Caleb Goman
I studied online. While the study part itself was tough, the resources, assistance and well- designed online platforms meant that I never felt thousands of kilometers away from the campus even though I was.
Associate Professor Alice Gorman
An archaeologist who completed her PhD at UNE in 2001, Dr Space Junk (as she is known) sees the debris somewhat differently. "Space is a cultural landscape, just like Earth, and these items are part of our material culture and space heritage," she says.
Nick Gotsis
During a career that has spanned government as well as financial services, retail and aviation industries, there’s a common thread that stitches together the human resources roles of UNE alumnus Nick Gotsis.
Ian Grant
I studied a double degree Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Criminology through UNE and did so online. I enjoyed studying online as it gave me the freedom to do the work I needed in my own time and around my work and social commitments.
Melanie Gray
It was important to me to study music on campus rather than online as I wanted to be around like-minded musicians and have the personal connection with my teachers. I believe it helped me focus away from my usual busy routine up in the Northern Territory.
Rodney Gregg
UNE Alumnus Rodney Gregg is a Health, Fitness and PE Specialist at Casuarina Street Primary School in Katherine. Sport has played a huge part in Rodney Gregg’s life professionally and personally.
Vanessa Guthrie
Dr Vanessa Guthrie is an experienced executive and director and has been included on the list of the world’s Top 100 inspirational women in mining. Vanessa holds qualifications from UNE including a Bachelor of Science (Hons) and a Graduate Diploma in Natural Resources. Dr Guthrie serves on several boards including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Curtin University where she is Pro Chancellor and the WACA where she is Deputy Chair.
Kate Hadfield
In my role as Stewardship and Research Officer with the Office of Advancement, Communications and Events, I routinely ask people to support the students and work of UNE. My thinking is that if I don’t believe in the organisation enough to give my own money, then I can’t expect anyone else to. But it’s more than that. UNE is my alma mater - I graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in 2000 - and I want to see it continue to flourish.
Tahira Haider
Around the world, the mental health fall-out from the global pandemic is increasing demands on psychologists. In Pakistan, UNE graduate, clinical psychologist Dr Tahira Haider, is working to prepare the next generation of practitioners and to meet the growing need.
David Hall
Soil Scientist David Hall has more than 30 years’ experience in soil management research as a researcher and project leader. His fields of research have encompassed the use of amendments (gypsum, lime, wetting agents, clay, organic compounds), tillage (deep shallow) and cropping rotations to modify and improve soils productivity.
Donna Hanson
For the last twenty four years Donna Hanson has run her own productivity training company consulting to global brands. Donna is also a professional speaker, trainer and educator presenting at conferences and events around the world.
Jessica Harpur
UNE offered everything that I wanted to study, and it was rated very highly for online education, so it was a no-brainer for me. I graduated from UNE in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Spanish and Italian, and a Diploma in Modern Languages majoring in German, and I am about to embark on a Master of Teaching at my local university: Charles Darwin University (CDU).
Dr John Heath
John Heath's plans to graduate on the lawns of Booloominbah wearing his Goori sash were thwarted this year due to COVID-19. It's a mere formality for the 69-year-old student of history, but a milestone he nevertheless looks forward to marking, both to celebrate his own achievements and to honour those of his ancestors.
Philipp Hess
Most global careers are conducted from big cities, but Phil Hess is an exception. Phil grew up in Armidale and has had only temporary absences from his home city on his way to becoming the Global Head of Capital Markets Operations at Macquarie Group.
Dr Jack Hobbs
Jack came to Australia and UNE in the mid 1960’s, commencing his long and illustrious academic career at UNE as a Teaching Fellow in Geography in 1965. He was awarded a Masters in Science 1969 and a PhD in 1973. Over the years Jack went on to hold the positions of Head of Department, Associate Professor, and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts until his retirement from fulltime academia around 2000.
Siobhan Hobbs
Working for 15 years as a human rights lawyer, women's rights and gender justice advocate all over the world, UNE alumnus Siobhan Hobbs' career trajectory bears powerful testimony to hers.
Tahlia Hood
Recent Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Arts graduate Tahlia Hood has found her sense of purpose in working in Media and Communications for Legacy, a not-for-profit organisation that supports families of veterans who have served in the defence forces.
Allison Hooper
I studied on campus, and lived on campus as well for the 4 years of my degree. Studying on campus was fantastic to build social networks with fellow students, which have since transitioned into professional networks now we’re all working.
Peter Ireland
Peter Ireland's approach to life at UNE in the 1970s speaks volumes of his personal character and the values instilled in him from childhood. Tumbling into a Bachelor of Arts course and then a Diploma and Masters of Education, he "had a crack" at everything - especially sport.
Matthew Irwin
After a 30-year career in finance, UNE graduate Matthew Irwin understands all too well the courage it takes to establish a business.
Aaron Johansson
You never know where your career might take you and how your UNE qualification can equip you. Just ask alumnus and Charters Towers Regional Council (CTRC) Chief Executive Officer Aaron Johansson.
Marilyn Joy
I enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting, part-time over a period of 2 years. As I was working full-time in a professional accounting practice, time management was challenging but workable. This avenue provided an opportunity for further study adding to my prior qualifications and broadening my skill set.
Dr Karma Jigyel
Dr Karma Jigyel followed in the footsteps of the many Bhutanese students who have travelled to UNE to further their education. He completed his Masters in Mathematics Education in 2005, with support from the Royal Government of Bhutan, and then his PhD, in 2019.
Marianne and Geoff Judson
Geoff (Dr Geoffrey James Judson) is BRurSC and PhD in Rural Science from UNE and Maryanne has a Grad Dip in Social Science after gaining a BA Planning at Uni SA.
Susan K
Master of Arts (Applied Linguistics) graduate Susan K lives in the west coast of the United States of America.
John Kilborn & Patricia Weston
For childhood sweethearts and teachers Patricia Weston and John Kilborn, UNE life consolidated a bond that endured for 67 years, until Pat's death in November 2020.
Dr Jayne Kinley
While I did not excel academically in secondary school I had a special talent when it came to the piano...
Emily Kirkpatrick
Emily was working as a GP in Adelaide in early 2020 when a deadly virus called COVID-19 was first detected in Australia. Within weeks she was seconded to South Australian Health, to liaise with GPs as part of her government’s primary healthcare response. Within months she’d been promoted to deputy chief public health officer and then deputy chief medical officer. Now she’s also heading up SA’s quarantine program.
Janice Knight
Janice Knight earned a scholarship (just like her future husband Trevor, whom she met on campus) to study at UNE in the late 1950s, Trevor became a longstanding Admissions Officer later in his career, and their youngest daughter studied linguistics at UNE. "UNE was so good to us; it opened up the world to our family," said Janice, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Education.
The Lam Family
At a time in history when world views are increasingly polarised and “facts” are reduced to tweets, the study of classical languages can seem foreign, even archaic. But classical languages help us to unlock the past and to learn what it means to be human today.
Meg Larkin AM
Meg Larkin AM leads a rich and vibrant artistic life. She has been chair of Regional Arts NSW, Regional Arts Australia, the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) and the Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music, and still serves on the Tamworth Council Arts and Advisory Committee, as chair of ADFAS Tamworth Region and as secretary of the Friends of Tamworth Gallery. Her paid job for 15 years was as Tamworth Regional Council's Cultural and Community Services Manager, where, as part of a broad portfolio, she oversaw the design and development of the Tamworth Regional Gallery and Library.
Trudie Larnach
When Trudie Larnach joined Port Waratah in January 2016 in a more junior role, just 10-11% of its workforce were women. As Trudie has risen up the ranks she has advocated for greater inclusion and diversity, and actively mentored women in mining. Shortly after, she became the first female in the executive team in the organisation’s 40-year history, in 2018, gender parity was reached at that senior level at Port Waratah.
Sam Levy
UNE arts graduate Sam Levy is a Theatre Producer who now resides in New York City. He has produced works on Broadway, Off-Broadway and in the West End. Sam is a Tony, Olivier, Drama Desk and Drama League Award winner and is Managing Director and founder of Trumper Park, a New York-based theatrical production and consulting firm. He is part of the producing team bringing the new musical hit, SIX, to Australia in 2021 opening in Melbourne in February and Sydney in June.
Fanny Lumsden
It was far from the ideal launch of singer/songwriter Fanny Lumsden's third album Fallow back in March. Overnight, coronavirus put Australia's music industry into mothballs, the promotional tour was postponed and a year's worth of performances cancelled.
Scot MacDonald
Scot MacDonald, Armidale Regional Council’s Director of Businesses and Services, holds three qualifications from UNE. His career has taken him from private enterprise to serving eight years in the NSW Parliament and back to his important role at the Armidale Regional Council. His sage advice for aspiring leaders is timeless.
David Mailler
The move from harvesting grain to harvesting sunlight has not been a great stretch for solar power innovator David Mailler. Many of the same social, economic and environmental objectives apply, and the promise of regional renewal and sustainability just as enticing.
Dr Jessica Marin-Ulloa
Jessica Marin-Ulloa used her Bachelor of Commerce degree to kickstart her career in the Northern Territory. Today Dr Marin-Ulloa is the College Manager, College of Engineering, IT and Environment at Charles Darwin University.
Catherine Marriott
Catherine Marriott's participation in the Tour de Cure to raise money for cancer research reveals much more than her passion for cycling. During the past two years she has clocked up almost 2000 kilometres in the saddle with a painful hip injury, to honour the father she lost to cancer when she was just 9. No complaint. No fuss. And never a thought of letting her team down.
Sam Martin
Albies has produced some fine alumni – and none more interesting than Great Hops brewer Sam Martin…
Sophie Masson
Sophie Masson graduated from UNE in 1990 with a Master of Letters. She has since published more than 60 books, and is co-founder of children’s literature publishing house, Christmas Press. Today, she continues to make the most of her career and life, working on exciting new novels and picture books, and completing her PhD in Creative Practice at UNE.
Amanda McCamey
Amanda McCamey, Maternity Nurse Unit Manager, graduated with a Masters of Health Management in 2018. Amanda shared her thoughts on studying at UNE with the Alumni office.
Andrew McConville
As coal-fired power stations are progressively retired and Australia grapples with its transition to renewable energy production, UNE alumni Andrew McConville is charting a slightly different path forward.
Douglas McMaster
A passion for the North West Slopes and Plains and its agricultural potential born a century ago is about to inspire a new generation through the D.L. McMaster Fund.
Dr Mary McMillan
For someone whose Twitter and Instagram handle is #Accidental Scientist, Mary McMillan’s impressive career appears anything but random. She has morphed from a shy Mudgee teenager into an esteemed science communicator and diversity advocate, respected researcher and mentor in record time – achievements that have now been recognised with a UNE Alumni Rising Star award.
Emeritus Professor David Mellor
David received a 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of his ground-breaking research in Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics revolutionising the manner in which animal welfare is viewed, implemented and monitored.
Tayla Messina
I know my academic journey has not come to an end. Wherever life takes me, UNE will be the place I go to for academic support and further studies.
Gina Milgate
Gina Milgate graduated from UNE in 1999, with a Bachelor of Commerce, a Graduate Diploma of Business Studies, and a Certificate of Higher Education. Today she is an educator, a leader, an author, and a mentor, and plays many more diverse and inspiring roles as a Research Fellow for Indigenous Education in the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).
Jennifer Miller
For over 19 years the University of New England has had the same face of Alumni Relations - Jennifer Miller. After such a rich career that has produced fond memories and has equipped her with an exceptional knowledge of the university and close relationships with the UNE community, Jennifer has retired.
Texon Mungombe
Texon Mungombe graduated with a Master of Professional Accounting from UNE and is now studying a Bachelor of Laws. He works as a Senior Financial Accountant for one of Sydney’s most successful restaurants in Sydney, Café Sydney.
Joan Murray
David Murray's life had not been easy before he enrolled to study at UNE. A workplace accident, severe injury and personal issues had cast him adrift. He engaged rarely with others and refused to leave his Sydney home during daylight hours.
Melissa Mullee
A career in horticulture has taken former Woolgoolga High School student Melissa Mullee around the globe, and now she’s encouraging school leavers to consider the benefits of working in this diverse field.
Abinesh (Bobby) Narain
Continual professional development - and a positive outlook - have taken UNE graduate Abinesh (Bobby) Narain around the world. But he is most proud of what he's achieved closer to home.When Tropical Cyclone Winston struck his Fijian homeland in February 2016, Bobby was in Sydney, where he had created a family and successful business fitting communications systems to freight trains.
Mufutau Nasiru
Mufutau Nasiru is currently teaching biology, chemistry, general science and physics for grades 10 to 12 in Thailand. His online Graduate Diploma in Education and Master of Education (with Honours) and the shift in teaching to student-centered learning has caused his colleagues to note the transformation of Nasiru’s teaching saying, “because Nasiru studied in Australia.”
Pauline Ng
Pauline Ng is Director, Hong Kong Public Policy Research Centre at Tianda Institute. After retiring as Secretary General of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, Pauline undertook a Bachelor of Organisational Leadership from UNE. She started a social enterprise in 2017 while studying in UNE which provides a service for "young-olds". we60.com is a bilingual website whose objective is to help those who are approaching retirement to plan well for their future years and to know how to take care of their ageing parents and eventually to take care of themselves.
Emeritus Professor Bob Officer AM
Emeritus Professor Robert Officer AM served as Professor of Finance at Melbourne Business School (University of Melbourne) from 1986 to 2002). He has a degree in Agricultural Science and after completing a Masters Degree in Agricultural Economics at UNE he was awarded an overseas scholarship to the University of Chicago where he completed an MBA and PhD.
Mark Officer
I graduated from UNE in 1997 having completed a Bachelor of Arts and Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education, majoring in Languages and HSIE.
Ollie Olorenshaw
I enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Counselling. I enrolled part time and completed the Diploma over two years. It was an incredible experience and I learned a great deal.
Casey Onus
2019 Agronomist of the Year, Casey Onus, graduated from UNE with a Bachelor of Agriculture and an MBA. She spends her workdays examining crops to determine how to fight diseases, nurture growth and improve quality. She loves seeing farmers take on board advice and working with them to implement strategies, especially when both she and the farmer can see the positive changes over a number of seasons.
Karen Orchard
Rural and remote nursing is a passion of mine, having spent most of my nursing, and most of my life in rural and remote areas. I believe nurses working in these environments need to be acknowledged for the incredible work they do. They do such a brilliant job in areas which can be challenging physically and complex emotionally, environmentally isolated, and often with such limited resources.
Dr Jacqueline Parry
Jacqueline started her graduate law degree after completing a degree in classical music (piano) at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. Jacqueline chose to complete her UNE law degree online as she wanted to continue working and not move from where she was living.
Gonzalo Perez del Castillo
During a prestigious 23-year United Nations career, Gonzalo Perez del Castillo worked as a senior officer in war-torn countries and under a number of repressive regimes. Later, as a senior consultant to the UN, he supported the recovery of Eastern European nations after decades of conflict, and he’s been responsible for countless successful development programs aimed at alleviating poverty and fostering social and economic prosperity in Third World countries.
Professor Christine Phillips AM
The eldest of nine children, Christine considered following in her father's footsteps one of the least imaginative steps she could undertake at 18 years, but ended up enrolling in medicine at the University of Melbourne, where she found the training "arduous and dull".
Dr John Pokana
Dr John Pokana gained a UNE International Strategic Development Scholarship in 2012 to study at UNE. He completed his PhD – a policy study of inclusive education – before returning to make his mark in Papua New Guinea.
Brett Pomroy
Lawyer and recreational surfer Brett Pomroy enjoys the challenges working in law and when not at work, Brett enjoys surfing and being a member of Surfrider Australia.
Vicki Poulter
Vicki Poulter (née McClymont) graduated from UNE with a Bachelor of Arts. The eldest of Bill and Viv McClymont's four children, Vicki practically grew up on the university campus after the family moved to Armidale in 1955 for Bill to take up his appointment as the foundation dean of the Rural Science faculty. Its multi-disciplinary degree program was the first of its kind in Australia and it was just one year after UNE had become independent of the University of Sydney.
Jess Price-Purnell
When asked to trace the origins of her political ambitions, Jess Price-Purnell's mind returns to a lengthy wait in Accident and Emergency at Armidale Hospital in the year of 2009. A city-slicker from inner-city Melbourne, she was three years into her business degree at UNE when the disparities between city and country life became frustratingly obvious.
Warren Prior
Warren Prior, Bachelor of Economics (Hons), met his wife Lesley at high school and took her to his 1969 Robb College Ball. Reconnecting in 2000, Warren and Lesley share a love of mountain biking and in 2019 competed in the UNE 12 Hours in the Piney mountain bike race.
Annette Purton
Annette Purton is a passionate humanitarian and an accomplished educator who completed a Masters of Applied Linguistics in 2017 at UNE as a mature age student. Her story is one of intrigue and inspiration.
Meg Rice
In line with our celebrations for International Day of Rural Women - we'd like to congratulate UNE alumna Meg Rice on her appointment to the Country to Canberra’s (C2C) board of directors! Meg recently took some time to answer a few questions about her journey since UNE.
Stephen Rimmer
Stephen Rimmer graduated from UNE in 1994 with a Doctorate of Philosophy. He has since lived and worked in cities such as Canberra, Washington and Baghdad, specialising in regulatory governance. Today, he works as a Senior Private Sector Development Specialist at the World Bank Group based in Washington DC, and works to implement and support positive reforms in developing countries.
Susan Rix AM
Chartered accountant Susan Rix has been on the boards and trusts of so many organisations over the past few decades that she has now lost count. Medical and higher education institutions, financial firms, disability charities and churches, government-owned rail and port corporations, even the performing arts - her (mostly unpaid) service has spanned the full spectrum of business and society.
Alex Robson
There are moments when our education and career just click. This was the case for UNE alumnus Alex Robson when he walked into his first theatre class. "That first lecture, with Adrian Kiernander and Sue Fell, is where my career began."
Jan Rose
Jan Rose is an experienced director with a demonstrated history of working in the education, management and recruitment talent acquisition industries. She is skilled in all aspects of business planning and leadership aided by her MBA from UNE.
Emeritus Professor James Rowe OAM
Reflecting on his career and achievement, and what has been his prime motivator for working within the sheep and cattle industry for many years, James remarks: “Giving back to the industry is important to me. The Wool Board, now the AWI (Australian Wool Innovation), gave me a start in funding my PhD scholarship. I have always appreciated industry’s support for my research and accepted the responsibility that goes with it to deliver innovation that repays this investment.”
Jasmine Russell
Bachelor of Social Work undergraduate Jasmine Russell wasn’t on a pathway to university when as a student at high school in Mudgee, she was in the self-confessed “middle” academically.
Dr Iskandar Abdul Samad
Dr Iskandar Abdul Samad MA and his wife, Dr Siti Sarah Fitriani MA both studied at UNE. This is Dr Samad’s impressions of UNE and their time in Armidale.
Richard Schilizzi
One of the first books Professor Richard Schilizzi remembers reading as a seven-year-old was the sci-fi thriller Lost on Venus, with a heroic space adventurer at its heart. He's assumed a similar leading role throughout his illustrious career, exploring the furthest reaches of our universe.
Max Schroder
Max’s impressive career in higher education have assured him a reputation as an expert in the sector. With his strong-held belief in education as a mechanism for transforming lives, Max is also highly valued as a generous donor to the University of New England having established a scholarship in 2008 for one Indigenous student to pursue a UNE degree.
Professor Adam Scott
"Of all the things I do, outside my family life, my charity work remains my highest priority," Adam says. "I had a stroke in 2012 and it was a real turning point. I realised that you only have one life and it's really short, and that life isn't about what I can do for me; it's about how I can help others. It's about practising and encouraging generosity and kindness every day."
Kimberley Scott
Kimberley Scott graduated from UNE in 2011 with a Bachelors in Arts/Teaching. She has since lived and worked both in Australia and the UK, and visited over 20 countries. Today, she teaches English, History and Geography at the Hunter School of the Performing Arts in Newcastle, and is an inspiring example of persistence and strength in the face of hardship.
Lee Scott
Lee Scott is the National Operations Manager for the Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) and is based in Canberra. Holding three qualifications from UNE, Lee finds her job fulfilling, however, like many not-for-profit sectors, finds it is under-resourced and relies on characteristics such as versatility, creativity and flexibility to get the job done.
Colleen Sedgwick
Colleen Sedgwick holds two qualifications from UNE, a Bachelor of Social Science and Bachelor of Arts (Hons). Freelance graphic designer, cartoonist and artist, Colleen also works for Australia Post.
Catherine See
Having worked in complex private and public organisations over several decades, business consultant and UNE alumna Dr Catherine See has a unique perspective on how leaders are managing talent, change and growth.
Troy Setter
As CEO of the largest private beef producer in the country - Consolidated Pastoral Company - Troy Setter oversees a company worth an estimated $700 million and an Australian workforce of 180 spread across nine pastoral leases and 3.2 million hectares. Another 600 people are employed in two feedlots in Indonesia, which, he says, directly and indirectly support about 12,000 families.
Rear Admiral Sarah Sharkey AM CSC
The learnings and experience I gained studying my MBA at UNE have been invaluable. Effective leadership in health and in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) depends on a high level of understanding of the importance of a number of key business concepts.
Jen Shephard
"Attending college definitely opened doors and helped set me up for life," says Jen Shephard, a paediatric mental health social worker who lived at Duval College from 2010-2012.
Kerby Siemson
Since graduating in 2018, as only the second Indigenous student from UNE’s School of Rural Medicine, Kerby has spent time becoming familiar with a number of different communities.
Andrew Smith
‘I never thought I would have to work so hard to say so little’ is one of the key lessons Andrew Smith has learnt since becoming a barrister. Andrew quickly realised courts are busy places with massive amounts of matters and issues to get through. Therefore judges and magistrates generally do not have the time and patience to listen to verbose arguments- it is better to get straight to the point!
Paul Smith
When thoughts of becoming a concert pianist gave way to opera singing, the bass baritone joined a young artists' company and began performing the arias of Mozart and Puccini for corporate functions and parties. Composing music was the next movement, and Paul wrote two chamber operas, the second - The Spidermaiden and the Runaway Plum Blossom - successfully premiering in Singapore.
Victor Squires
A passion for the vast rangelands covering 40% of the Earth's surface has taken Professor Victor Squires to some of the most inhospitable corners of the globe - from the vast Thar Desert of India to the Alborz mountains of northern Iran.
Dr Donald Stammer
Banker, teacher, communicator: UNE alumnus Dr Donald Stammer has used his training in Economics to serve the discipline in a range of ways, while making important contributions to other fields like international relations and conservation.
Janine Stevens
Although she spent 15 years working in Sydney after graduating with a combined Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws degree from UNE Janine says she had long harboured a desire to return to the region she grew up in.
Mark Stevens
For the past 12 years UNE's Manager of Student Recruitment, Mark Stevens, has represented UNE at Defence Transition Seminars across the country, helping to advise defence personnel on the undergraduate and postgraduate courses that might support their promotion ambitions or a transition into civilian life. Mark grew up in a family with a long and proud military heritage. Two grandfathers served at Gallipoli; one representing the Australian Army (who subsequently died on the Western Front) and the other a British Army soldier who survived to migrate to Australia. An uncle also saw action in Papua New Guinea during World War II.
Karen Stollznow
“She looks good for her age”; “That’s so gay”; “Boys will be boys”; “I’m not a racist, but …” are hurtful phrases, slurs and stereotypes that are engrained in the English language. They also have enormous power to offend, as UNE alumnus, linguist and author Karen Stollznow knows all too well.
Vanessa Stothart
Flight Lieutenant Vanessa Stothart graduated in 2018 with a Graduate Diploma in Psychology which has enhanced her senior leadership skills for her role as an Air Traffic Controller.
Therese Taylor
It was campus study for me. When I moved to Armidale in the mid/ late 70s the student body was divided into those who lived in Colleges, those who lived in town, and those who were external students and attended during semester breaks and who stayed in the Colleges. I lived in town.
Denika Thomas
Denika specialises in trauma therapy, in a region where women are subjected to high levels of domestic violence and rape, exposure to sexual and reproductive health risks, and soaring rates of anxiety and depression.
Sarah Thomas
When she left home at age 17 to study for a Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Arts at UNE, Sarah remembers being desperately homesick, even living in supportive Duval College. She was the first in her family to attend university.
Michelle Trudgett
Visionary is a word often used to describe Wiradjuri woman Michelle Trudgett. Well before she had enrolled to study at UNE she had set herself the goal of gaining three degrees by the time she reached 33; then her ambition was to be appointed a Professor before turning 40; then to assume the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor by the age of 45.
John Vann
I came to UNE because the geology and geophysics school had a good reputation, and specifically to study with Professor Ian Plimer who was then the Economic Geology Professor.
John (Charlie) Veron
Long before he became the “godfather of corals” and sounded the alarm about climate change impacts on our magnificent reefs, acclaimed marine scientist Professor Charlie Veron studied possums and lizards and dragonflies at UNE.
Ron Vickress
On the eve of the 75th anniversary of VP (Victory in the Pacific) Day commemorations, UNE alumnus and former Royal Australian Navy sailor Ron Vickress reflects on the Japanese surrender that officially ended World War II.
Meaghan Victor
My name is Meaghan Victor (nee Unsworth) aka Meggs and I had the opportunity to live at Duval College from 1991 – 1993. My home away from home for three years of my life, where I became a much stronger and independent woman.
Timothy Walker CBE AM
Among the many accolades that Tim Walker received upon his retirement from the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) this year were scores of personal tributes from musicians, conductors, trustees, music lovers and even HRH The Duke of Kent.
Trent Wallace
In the conservative legal profession, where formal suits are de rigueur, there is nothing boring or beige about First Nations Advisor and Lawyer Trent Wallace. In fact the flamboyant UNE alumnus and casual lecturer prides himself in standing out so that other First Nations People might genuinely be included.
Professor Stuart Wark
Stuart Wark was already an advocate for people with intellectual disability in the 1990s when he had a pivotal experience in providing care and support to a rural woman we will call Ellen. For 50 years, Ellen’s life had mirrored society’s treatment of those with intellectual disability.
Phoebe Wilkinson
As a member of the PIA Young Planner Committee since 2018, Phoebe is already well connected in her industry and says it has been a privilege to represent young planners at symposiums and webinars in recent years.
Deb Wilson
UNE graduate Deb Wilson (formerly Linklater) and husband Scott have through hard work since 2001 created one of Tasmania’s best heritage accommodation – Old Wesley Dale in Mole Creek.
Professor Rhonda Wilson
My Wongwibinda schoolgirl self would never have dared to dream or imagine the career I am in the midst of.
Robert Wilson AM
The welfare of animals, agricultural industries and rural communities has been at the heart of Dr Robert Wilson's 40-year career. It has inspired innovations to commercial production, novel research and development, and voluntary service aimed at encouraging the next generation of producers.
Keith Yates AM
It was the potential for discovery that enthralled 16-year-old Keith Yates when first exposed to geology during a Bachelor of Science degree at UNE. "I wasn't a rock collector; I didn't know anything whatsoever about geology, but after six months I was hooked," says Keith. "Stimulated by the impressive teaching staff, I soon became fascinated with the history of the Earth and this has captivated me my whole life."
Kathy Wooller
My degree story could be best described is that I pivoted … like a prima ballerina with only one shoe and a wonky tiara.
Jing Zeng
Staying at UNE was one of the most enjoyable and exciting experiences for me. Not only did I improve myself academically, I enlarged my horizon culturally and cognitively.
