Who did you meet at Griffith?
From the admissions queue to the environmental studies laboratory, meet these pairs who met at Griffith and are still close connections. Couples, business partners, friends or mentors—who did you meet at Griffith? Submit your meeting story today!
The stories
Melanie Schinkel and Christian Stirling
In her second year at Griffith, fate brought Melanie Schinkel and Christian Stirling together in the subject called Stagecraft. Their collaboration on an assessment production of Ubu Roi by Alfred Jarry laid the groundwork for a lasting bond.
Angela Pugh and Dr David Tuffley
Take a stroll down Griffith University's memory lane in 1975, where Angela Pugh and Dr David Tuffley began their university adventure at the Nathan Campus. Through the twists and turns of university life, their enduring connection flourished. Join David, now a Senior Lecturer as he talks about the timeless values at Griffith University.
Michael McVeigh and Greg O'Shea
Griffith University's Gold Coast campus became the meeting ground for two young, aspiring engineers, Michael McVeigh and Greg O'Shea, who would go on to forge a remarkable partnership that would significantly impact Queensland's infrastructure landscape.
Emma Cullen and Ben Exler
It was love at first flight for Emma Cullen and Ben Exler. Although commencing their studies at different times, the couple bonded over a love of books and flying and had their first real date at Archives Fine Books on Charlotte Street in Brisbane City.They’ve worked together in several capacities since graduation, achieved pilot licences along the way and recently bought their own home with their adorable Great Dane mix named Dyson.
Troy Byrnes and Ryan Dunn
In 1999, Troy Byrnes and Ryan Dunn became close friends at Griffith University. Their bond led to joint research, co-authoring a paper, and many cherished memories. Now, successful in their respective fields, they credit their lasting friendship to serendipity and strong family support.
Elaine Birk and Angela Arthington
It was in the very early days of Griffith University that Elaine Birk met Angela Arthington on the Nathan campus. This was an exciting, heady time as a handful of academics and professional staff planned for the opening of the University, and for the first cohort of students in the School of Australian Environmental Studies (AES).
Lauren Jimmieson and Anthony Craig
Both larrikins with a love for musical theatre, Lauren and Anthony had just cemented a spot in the new Bachelor of Music course at Griffith. They formed a fast friendship which sparked into a romance just a few weeks into their studies. Even with many wonderful theatre credits under their belts, their proudest achievement to date has been the one they’ve created together; Story Surprise.
Tran Nguyen Van Nhu and Nguyen Xuan Huong
Tran Nguyen Van Nhu and Nguyen Xuan Huong were both awarded scholarships to pursue their masters degrees at Griffith's Nathan campus in 2009. Now lifelong friends, the pair have shared milestones across their studies, careers and families.
Darren Sumich and Andrew Fraser
When law students Andrew Fraser and Darren Sumich 'wiped the floor' in a moot together in 1996, their winning celebrations at the pub kickstarted a lifelong friendship, living and travelling together and catching up regularly despite Andrew's commitments in state government. Darren was best man at Andrew's wedding and Andrew is godfather to Darren's daughter.
Mark Bignell and Michael Koo
It was in the admissions queue on Griffith's Nathan campus that Mark Bignell met Michael Koo in 1994. They discovered both were studying a Bachelor of International Business, and quickly became firm friends, often brainstorming ideas for their own business. In 2008, ten years after their graduations, Mark and Michael launched Bellissimo coffee—now a highly-awarded roastery with four cafes in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.
Jacinta and Meron Zalucki
Jacinta Just and Meron Zalucki met in 1978 on Griffith's Nathan campus studying ecology as part of the first intakes. Jacinta's milkweeds research was disrupted by Meron's monarch caterpillars—The Very Hungry Caterpillar style! Many long conversations followed; the couple have been happily married for 43 years.
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