Celebrating our outstanding alumni
The University's Outstanding Alumni Awards recognise and celebrate the diverse achievements of alumni, across their fields of endeavour and in their communities.
There are two levels of winners:
- Academic Group Winners
- Overall University Winners
The 2022 Academic Group Winners have been announced.
Outstanding Alumnus Award - Academic Group Winners 2022
School improvement
Dr Keith Graham OAM
Bachelor of Education (Advanced Professional Development) / Graduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics (TESOL)
Keith is committed to improving national and state school outcomes.
Awarded writer
Melissa Lucashenko
Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Commerce with Honours
Melissa is an award-winning novelist, essayist and short story writer fuelled by a desire to tell untold stories about Aboriginal Australia.
Healthcare leadership
Adjunct Professor Alanna Geary
Master of Health Science in Infection Control
Alanna is a leader in working to promote a healthier Queensland.
Environmental achiever
Lloyd Hancock
Bachelor of Environmental Science
Lloyd is an environmental planner, manager and environmental educator whose contributions have been recognised both locally and nationally.
Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus Award - Academic Group Winners 2022
Contemporary Aboriginal artist
Rachael Sarra
Bachelor of Design
Rachael is a multi-disciplinary artist, designer and successful business woman, using art as a powerful tool in storytelling to educate and share Aboriginal culture and its evolution.
Indigenous entrepreneurship
Professor Dennis Foley
Bachelor of Business / MBA
Dennis is a Fullbright Scholar working to drive change within indigenous communities.
Social and emotional well-being
Péta Phelan
Master of Rehabilitation Counselling
Péta provides national leadership in representing First Peoples social and emotional well-being.
Problem solver
Jack Kafoa
Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)
Jack is a talented problem solver, appreciating opportunities within engineering to develop not only himself, but the built environment.
Outstanding International Alumnus Award - Academic Group Winners 2022
Disability advocate
Dr Antoni Tsaputra
Master of Journalism and Mass Communication
Antoni empowers individuals and organisations to implement policies and procedures to support those with disability.
Education and knowledge
Troy Yue
Bachelor of Commerce
Troy is an education entrepreneur nurturing generations of international students to learn practical workplace skills, providing the tools for a successful career.
Medical teacher and trainer
Dr Donald Christian
Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management
Donald is passionate about medical research and teaching the next generation.
Health pioneer
Dr Di Jiangli
Master of Science in Public Health / Doctor of Philosophy
Jiangli is a women’s health advocate and researcher as well as a frontline COVID-19 health worker in China.
Outstanding Young Alumnus Award - Academic Group Winners 2022
Making art accessible
Morwenna Collett
Master of Music / Bachelor of Music Performance (Honours)
Morwenna is an international access expert on a mission to expand what disability in the arts looks like in Australia.
Youth support and mentor
Beny Bol OAM
Master of International Law / Bachelor of Politics, Asian Studies and International Relations
Beny is dedicated to addressing youth issues and mentoring others.
Serial entrepreneur & accredited sports dietitian
Tyson Tripcony
Master of Nutrition and Dietetics
Tyson is the founder, leader and manager of the most successful private practice dietetic company across Australia – Fuel Your Life (FYL).
Tech and passion project entrepreneur
James Greig
Bachelor of Information Technology with Advanced Studies
James is a serial entrepreneur taking his passion projects and turning them into successful businesses.
2021 University winners
Outstanding Alumnus
Joe Brumm
Joe's hit ABC TV show, Bluey, has become a global phenomenon, winning awards including a Logie, an AACTA and even an International Emmy Award.
Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus
Haylene Grogan
To remind herself what she's fighting for, Haylene carries around her families exemption certificates, that forbade them from moving around because they were First Peoples.
Outstanding International Alumnus
Ahmed Athif
Determined that no child should be left behind in the Maldvies education system, Athif has made a sustained contribution to inclusive and special education support.
Outstanding Young Alumnus
Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM
Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM is an emergency doctor living with quadriplegia and a passionate disability advocate dedicating his life to working, teaching and researching health.
Outstanding Alumnus Award - Academic Group Winners 2021
Diversity and inclusion champion
Andrew Hebbron
Master of Business Administration and Graduate Certificate in Policy Analysis
Director (Chief Superintendent), Queensland Ambulance Service
Midwife and pilot
Captain Jan Becker AM
Master of Aviation Management
CEO, Becker Helicopters Pilot Academy
Community health professional
Dr Mohit Tolani
Bachelor of Oral Health in Dental Science and Graduate Diploma of Dentistry
Lead Dentist and Practice Associate, Dapto Dentists
Emmy award winner
Joe Brumm
Bachelor of Animation (Honours)
Creator and writer of the hit series, Bluey
Griffith University Cultural Sensitivity Warning: The Following profiles and announcement may contain images, and the name of a deceased persons essential to service and engagement. Students, Staff and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community are warned that there may be words and descriptions that may be culturally sensitive, and which might not normally be used in certain public or community contexts outside of the practical delivery of these Awards and the Announcement of this year's winners for 2021. We have spoken with the family and received permission from family to share the nomination and image of this person in celebration of their life.
Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus Award - Academic Group Winners 2021
First Peoples advocate
Haylene Grogan
Master of Public Administration
Chief Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Officer and Deputy Director-General
Connecting culture and mathematics
Professor Chris Matthews
Doctor of Philosophy
Education consultant and researcher
Cultural broker
Dr Vanessa Lee - Ah Mat
Doctor of Philosophy
Senior Academic at The University of Sydney
Barrister in the High Court of Australia
Susan Hamilton
Former CEO of the Aboriginal Family Legal Service Southern Queensland
Outstanding International Alumnus Award - Academic Group Winners 2021
Social justice activist
Dr Mubashar Hasan
Doctor of Philosophy
Director, Pyrmont Consultants and Tutor at WEA Sydney
Ecuadorian ecosystems conservationist
María Elena Barragán-Paladines
Master of Environment with Honours
Executive Director, Fundacion Herpetologica Gustavo Orces
Inter-disciplinary nursing expert
Dr Bih-O (Becky) Lee
Doctor of Philosophy
Dean and Director of Doctoral Program in Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University
Special needs learning pioneer
Ahmed Athif
Master of Special Needs Intervention Education and Bachelor of Education in Special Education
Lead Consultant, Voshufila Learning Center, Malé
Outstanding Young Alumnus Award - Academic Group Winners 2021
Malaysian entrepreneur and educator
Lee Sin Tiew
Master of Commerce
Managing Director, Artivo Education Sdn Bhd
Eco-friendly entrepreneur
Jordyn de Boer
Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Conservation Biology
Co-founder of Boomerang Bags
2021 Queensland Australian of the Year
Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor, lawyer, disability advocate and spinal cord injury researcher.
Lawyer, journalist and filmmaker
Eammon Ashton-Atkinson
Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Government and International Relations
U.S Correspondent, Video Journalist, Network 10
2020 Outstanding Alumni University Winners
Outstanding Alumnus
Nick Marshall
With a strong sense of community and connection, Nick lives his dream of helping others be the best they can be and is a passionate advocate for special needs children.
Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus
Cameron Costello
Cameron uses his entrepreneurial skills to enrich the lives of the next generation and empowers them to become advocates and carers of Country.
Outstanding International Alumnus
Zhariff Afandi
Being born without arms has never hindered Zhariff's ability to lead an impactful life as an entrepreneur, humanitarian and an adventurer.
Outstanding Young Alumnus
Dr Elise Stephenson
Dr Stephenson is living her vision of supporting the marginalised and contributing to a better society and a better world.
Outstanding Alumnus Award - Academic Group Winners 2020
Champion of Indigenous super issues
Lyn Melcer
Master of Business Administration (Advanced) / Bachelor of Commerce
QSuper’s Head of Technical Advice
Officially a local hero
Nick Marshall
Master of Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy
Business owner and ambassador for special needs children.
Lawyer and human rights expert
Professor Cephas Lumina
Doctor of Philosophy / Graduate Certificate in Higher Education
Member, UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
Animal welfare advocate
Professor Andrew Knight
Doctor of Philosophy
Passionate advocate for animal welfare and ethics
Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus Award - Academic Group Winners 2020
Indigenous commercial lawyer
Jayde Geia
Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
Pioneering a new approach to law
First Peoples advocate
Cameron Costello
Bachelor of Leisure Management
CEO of the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation
Coastal Management expert
Dr Troy Byrnes
Doctor of Philosophy / Graduate Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language
Coastal Management expert and community lead
Early career success
Dr Blake Jones
Doctor of Medicine / Bachelor of Medical Science
Aspiring regional and rural physician
Outstanding International Alumnus Award - Academic Group Winners 2020
No stranger to conflict
Dr Jeff Thompson
Doctor of Philosophy
Hostage negotiator, counsellor and mental health ambassador
Human Resource expert
Dr P. Rani Thanacoody
Master of Human Resource Management (Honours)
An international career in research and education
Community champion
Zhariff Afandi
Bachelor of Psychological Science
Entrepreneur, author and UNICEF ambassador
International ecologist
Professor Norbert Lenz
Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science
Bachelor of Science (Honours) / Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Conservation Biology
Outstanding Young Alumnus Award - Academic Group Winners 2020
Australian strategist and researcher
Dr Elise Stephenson
Bachelor of Government and International Relations (Honours)
Bachelor of Asian and International Studies / Bachelor of Communication
RAAF Dental Officer, Flight Lieutenant
Dr Max Moody
Graduate Diploma Dentistry / Bachelor of Oral Health in Dental Science
Dedicated to helping disadvantaged communities and mentoring others
International ecologist and researcher
Dr Louise Ashton
Doctor of Philosophy
Bachelor of Science (Honours) / Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Conservation Biology
Houdini FX Artist and Generalist
Matthew Hanger
Bachelor of Animation
International feature film animator and industry mentor
2019 Outstanding Alumni University Winners
Outstanding Alumnus Award
Dr Barry Kirby AO
2019 Outstanding Alumnus award winner
A former carpenter turned remote medico and founder of not-for-profit organisation ‘The Hands of Rescue’ (THOR), Dr Barry Kirby is changing lives in Papua New Guinea..
Outstanding Young Alumnus Award
Dr Elizabeth Hamilton
2019 Outstanding Young Alumnus award winner
Armed with a goal to contribute to Global Health, Dr Elizabeth Hamilton is the 2018 Queensland Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University.
Outstanding International Alumnus Award
Dr Hum Gurung
2019 Outstanding International Alumnus award winner
A man on an environmental mission, conservationist Dr Hum Gurung has dedicated his professional life to promoting environmental conservation.
Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus Award
Dr Kerry Bodle
2019 Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus award winner
A self-proclaimed ‘accidental academic’, Dr Kerry Bodle uses her expertise to promote First People’s participation in business education, research and engagement.
Outstanding Alumnus Award - Academic Group Winners 2019
Raising the bar
The Hon Justice Ian Freckelton QC
Law and justice
A distinguished 30 year career in law including oversight of some of the country's most complex cases of the time.
International hotelier rises to the top
Dr Jennifer Cronin
International Business
Hotel openings, cyber-security threats and cultivating young talent is all in a day's work.
Positive maternal influence
Dr Barry Kirby AO
Biomedical Science
An unlikely hero in a landscape of overburdened and unsupported PNG healthcare workers.
International research partnerships
Dr Peter Horne
Environmental Science
A career of applying science to agriculture has benefited international communities.
Outstanding Young Alumnus Award - Academic Group Winners 2019
Creative license
Louise Bezzina
Applied Theatre
A desire to simply 'do something' led to the creation of a highly acclaimed cultural mecca.
Gender equality advocate
Sabrina Aripen
Commerce
Changing the perceptions and expectations of parental care in Malaysia.
Promoting health equality
Dr Elizabeth Hamilton
Medicine
A young doctor’s inspiring journey on the road to global health advancements.
Social scientist
Dr Johanna Nalau
Science
A facilitator of discourse about climate change nationally and abroad.
Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus Award - Academic Group Winners 2019
Community focused
Pekeri Ruska
Law / Arts
From the sand dunes of Stradbroke Island to the law courts of Victoria, social change is coming.
Cultural capability
Dr Kerry Bodle
Business
The first Indigenous Certified Practising Accountant who became an 'accidental' academic.
Birthing stories
Cassandra Nest
Midwifery
Passed down learnings from the Ngunnawal women has led to cultural safe havens in the birthing suite.
Outstanding International Alumnus Award - Academic Group Winners 2019
Beating the odds
Aaron Bailey
Human Services
Just one sentence triggered a life changing ripple effect for disabled learners.
Democratising finance
Jacob Hansen Karaduman
International Business
Through the generation of 'warm leads' an entire industry has been changed.
Defense mechanisms
Ricky Patlunag Bunayog
Training and Development
Facilitating and sustaining the peace through education and training.
International conservationist
Dr Hum Gurung
Environmental Science
An environmental mission has spread from a remote village to the world.
2018 Outstanding Alumni university winners
On the frontline
Katarina Carroll APM
Public Administration
Australia’s first female fire chief holds the torch for the next generation of leaders.
International Businesswoman
Amanda Hodges
International Business Relations
Amanda Hodges has travelled the world as an international strategic business, investment and government affairs executive leader.
Malaria Researcher
Professor Alan Cowman AC
Science
As Deputy Director and Head of Infection and Immunity at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Professor Alan Cowman gets to live and breathe his lifelong passion while working towards saving lives from malaria.
Children’s Advocate
Gabrielle Quilliam
Nursing
Gabrielle Quilliam is an international thought leader in paediatric palliative care, and with her husband, co-founded the only children's hospice in Queensland, Hummingbird House.
2018 Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus Award
Opportunity Advocate
Donisha Duff
Healthcare and education
Donisha Duff has worked tirelessly to improve pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as an advocate for health and supporter of girls’ and women’s educational and career opportunities.
Renowned Artist
Delvene Cockatoo-Collins
Aboriginal tourism and arts
Delvene Cockatoo-Collins received international recognition after designing the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games medals.
Respiratory Scientist
Darren Smith
Clinical Physiology
Darren Smith has been a respiratory scientist for more than 20 years and is a senior respiratory scientist at Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
Cultural innovator
Clinton Schultz
Psychology
A desire to help people and deep connection to culture has led this psychologist and social entrepreneur to do things a little differently.
2018 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award
Pride in Law
Dean Clifford-Jones
Law
Dean Clifford-Jones has achieved remarkable success in the legal profession, as a crown prosecutor and a principal child protection lawyer.
Fundraising Success
Caitlin Pearson
Business
Caitlin Pearson never intended to work in the charity or not-for-profit sector but her time at Griffith University played a big part in changing her philosophy.
Planet hunter
Dr Jessie Christiansen
Science
The great unknown of outer space is the ideal playground for a NASA astronomer.
RAAF Dentist
Ajitha Naidu Sugnanam
Dentistry
Ms Sugnanam has excelled in her chosen profession of dentistry and dedicated herself to humanitarian work nationally and internationally.
2018 Outstanding International Alumnus Award
European Film Producer
Petr Tichý
Film and Television
Petr Tichý is chief executive officer and chairman of the Barrandov Studios in Prague, one of the biggest and oldest film studios in Europe.
Hospitality Pro
Thanuj de Alwis Goonewardena
Hotel Management
Thanuj De Alwis Goonewardena has 27 years’ experience in hospitality, planning, design, construction and hotels.
International scientist
Professor Qiyong Liu
Health
Top scientist and public health specialist who has dedicated 30 years to combating health threats in
poor and vulnerable communities.
Shirley (Poh Ching) Tay
Nursing
Shirley (Poh Ching) Tay is the Director of Nursing at Mount Alvernia Hospital in Singapore where she is dedicated to building affordable and safe healthcare.
Contact Us
For questions relating to the Outstanding Alumni Awards contact the Alumni Relations Team.
Winner announcement
The 2022 academic group winners have been announced.
Stay connected
Keep in touch with your alumni community.
