Alumni Impact Awards 2023
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Celebrating our outstanding alumni
It gives me great pleasure to announce the Southern Cross University Alumni Impact Awards 2023.
These awards recognise and celebrate our extraordinary graduates and their impact on industry and community, from those who are established in their careers to those who are just getting started. Past recipients are leaders and innovators across a diverse range of disciplines who exemplify the values and ethos of Southern Cross University.
Last year, we celebrated a diverse cohort of Southern Cross University graduates working locally and abroad, who are driving transformative work in their communities and improving the lives of others. It’s inspiring to see the range of activities they are engaged in – from art to mental health and entrepreneurship to national defence – and the passion with which they face every challenge.
I encourage you to nominate for the awards, either by nominating yourself or by nominating another member of the Southern Cross alumni community.
Professor Tyrone Carlin
Vice Chancellor, Southern Cross University
Award Categories
Alumnus of the Year recognises excellence in a chosen field of endeavour, leadership and outstanding service to the community or profession.
Young Alumnus of the Year recognises a graduate 35 years and under who has demonstrated excellence in their chosen field of endeavour, emerging leadership and outstanding service to the community or profession.
Early Career Alumnus of the Year recognises a graduate who completed their degree five years ago or less and who has demonstrated significant achievement in their chosen field of endeavour and outstanding service to the community or profession.
International Alumnus of the Year recognises an international graduate for significant professional achievement and leadership and outstanding service to the community or profession.
Community Impact Award recognises a graduate’s significant contribution to addressing critical issues in communities through collaboration and enhancing community capacity.
You can nominate for as many categories as you like. Award recipients for each category will receive $1,000 prize money.
Application form and must:
- Include a 500–1000 word statement for each nomination that describes the nominee’s activity, outcomes and impact in relation to the category criteria
- Include details that highlight how the alumni have demonstrated outstanding achievement
- Include copies of supporting materials including media coverage, articles and photographs
- Consider the University values. We strive for excellence, We are bold, We care, We own it, We build trust through action
- Consider the University purpose: Changing lives through revolutionary learning and research with real impact
- Respond directly to each of the three category criteria and provide evidence (refer to FAQ below)
Eligible alumni:
- Must have graduated from Southern Cross University or its predecessor or partner institutions; and
- Be 35 years old or under (for Young Alumnus of the Year)
- Have graduated within the past 5 years (for Early Career Alumnus of the Year)
- Studied as an international student or at an international partner institution (for International Alumnus of the Year).
Yes! You can nominate once more than one category (if self-nominating) or more than one alumni (if nominating others), so long as each nomination meets the specific criteria for each category.
A broad range of evidence of multiple types and sources are to be utilised to comprehensively demonstrate the impact of the work undertaken. Sources of evidence may include:
- Documented changes or impacts created as a result of the activity
- Feedback, testimonials or commendations
- External recognition of the value and/ or impact of the activity
- Awards or nominations/li>
- Media coverage
- Photographs
Evidence that substantiates and demonstrates the extent of the achievement and its impact must be explicitly referenced in the written response and then attached as a supplement to the nomination.
Nominees should not include any additional information in attachments or use as an extension of the word limit.
Any evidence not specifically referred to in the text will not be considered.
Alumnus of the Year
- Contribution by a graduate that has significant benefit and impact
- Evidence of sustained leadership and achievement in a particular field
- Evidence that the contribution benefits society and/or the University community
Young Alumnus of the Year
- Contribution by a graduate 35 years or under
- Evidence of emerging leadership and achievement in a particular field
- Evidence that the contribution benefits society and/or the University community
International Alumnus of the Year
- Contribution by a graduate that has global impact and relevance
- Evidence of sustained leadership and achievement in a particular field
- Evidence that the contribution benefits society and/or the University community
Early Career Alumnus of the Year
- Contribution by a graduate within 5 years after the completion of their degree
- Evidence of significant career achievement in a particular field
- Evidence that the contribution benefits society and/or the University community
Community Impact Award
- Contribution towards addressing critical issues in communities
- Engagement of partners to understand and address issues collaboratively
- Evidence of enhanced community capacity and/or benefit
The University will award each Alumni Impact Award Recipient with a one-off monetary prize payment of $1000.
Led by the Vice Chancellor, the Selection Panel determines the finalists and award recipients for each category and includes members of the Executive team
Award recipients will be announced in November 2023.
Congratulations to our Southern Cross University Alumni of the Year 2022
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2022 Alumni Impact Award Recipients
Alumnus of the Year, Matthew Hoare
Matthew Hoare’s life-long love of surfing is helping his fellow Australian defence force veterans to find peace. An exercise physiologist and co-founder of the Association of Veteran Surfers (AVS), Matthew is all too aware of the high incidence of mental health issues and suicide among veterans, with AVS striving to be a point understanding, collaboration, enjoyment and, hopefully, progress.
Learn more about Matthew/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/landing-pages/images/Matthew-Hoare-560.jpg)
Young Alumnus of the Year, Holly Ahern
Holly describes herself as a multidisciplinary artist with an interest in textiles, painting, and large-scale sculptural works. She and her partner Eden Crawford-Harriman are the creative minds behind the ‘In the Heart’ sculpture which resides in the Lismore CBD, an icon of resilience and the centrepiece of a fundraising drive to rebuild Lismore’s creative heart.
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International Alumnus of the Year, Said Achmad Kabiru Rafiie
When the Indonesian province of Aceh was hit by a devastating tsunami in 2004, Said, originally from the region, had to do something. After joining Southern Cross to study an MBA, he returned to his hometown in Aceh and launched the Moringa project. Through this initiative, students and local people are becoming entrepreneurs thanks to a local resource: the moringa tree.
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Early Career Alumnus of the Year, Lizz Wells
Since joining global security and aerospace prime Lockheed Martin Australia in 2018, Lizz has supported delivery of a variety of programs for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and other industry partners, including a portable tactical air defence radar system; portable cabins that provide secure workspaces for ADF personnel supporting F-35 operations; and maintenance and training for the F-35, a fifth-generation supersonic stealth fighter jet.
Learn more about Lizz/prod01/channel_8/media/scu-dep/landing-pages/images/Lizz-Wells-5609.jpg)
Community Impact Alumnus of the Year, Vanessa Latham
Vanessa initially did her Southern Cross University nursing placement in Broken Hill with the Royal Flying Doctor Service eleven years ago. Fast-forward to today, she is the Mental Health Manager in Broken Hill, leading numerous mental health services for some of the most remote communities in the country.
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