Awards celebrate alumni achievements

The countdown is on for Southern Cross University's Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, who will be announced at a special event in Ballina on Friday, August 7.

Six nominees, who have been named School winners, are in the running for the award, which recognises the outstanding achievements of Southern Cross University alumni and highlights the diversity and quality of the contributions SCU alumni have made to the enrichment of our society.

Alumni are selected according to leadership, stimulation of new ideas and services in their field, innovation and creativity, dedication and community service.

The winners of the Alumnus of the Year awards for the Schools, and nominees for the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, are as follows.

Steen Holck completed an MBA through SCU’s Graduate College of Management. He is a director for Movenpick Hotels and Resorts, Switzerland, and has played an important role in setting up a foundation to assist in the protection of the environment and develop eco-tourism in Mongolia. The foundation is funding a project to alleviate poverty through the use of solar technology to heat the homes of the disadvantaged in Mongolia.

Jane Welsh completed a Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) through the School of Arts and Social Sciences. Jane was named one of 60 Rotary World Peace Fellows in 2007. In 2002 Jane was selected as an Australian Youth Ambassador for Development and worked as a project advisor with the Association of the Blind in Cambodia.

Simon Kalinowski graduated with a Bachelor of Business from the School of Commerce and Management. He is now a highly successful young businessman whose company, Mandalay Technology, is Australia’s leading provider of weighbridge and data capture software, servicing over 350 clients across Australia, NZ and South Africa. He has been a member of the Foundation for Young People, the National Youth Round Table and is a member of Southern Cross University’s Foundation Board. He is actively engaged with The Healing Circle, a national initiative under the leadership of Southern Cross University’s Professor Judy Atkinson, focusing on Indigenous capacity building.

Marnie Bonner completed a Diploma of Applied Science through the School of Environmental Science and Management and is a former staff member of Southern Cross University. She is well known for her work with Australian Seabird Rescue which she co-founded along with the late Lance Ferris. Marnie is also a founding member of Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers.

Graham Carter graduated with a Bachelor of Laws through the School of Law and Justice. Graham is the director of Land and Heritage Pty Ltd, the largest private native title negotiation company in Queensland. His company has achieved exceptional results in this challenging field having managed native title and cultural heritage negotiations for over 30 completed projects.

Lisa Messenger graduated with a Bachelor of Business in Tourism through the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. Lisa is director of Messenger Marketing, Messenger Publishing, Messenger Magazines and Messenger Print Brokerage and has been a finalist in the 2005 and 2008 Telstra Business Woman of the Year Awards.

Ms Liz Terracini, alumni and donor relations manager, said the 2009 Young Alumnus of the Year, for graduates 35 years and under, would also be announced at the event.

The nominees for this award are: Simon Kalinowski, Teagan Smith (School of Tourism and Hospitality Management), Karen Koelewyn (the Hotel School Sydney) and Jane Welsh.

“We are delighted to have such strong nominations for these awards. Our Alumni are spread throughout Australia and overseas and are making a valuable contribution in a wide range of fields,” said Ms Terracini.

“Southern Cross University is pleased to have the opportunity to recognise these wonderful achievements.”

The guest speaker at the event will be last year’s Alumnus of the Year, Donna Franklin.

The celebration for the 2009 Alumni of the Year Awards will be held at the Ballina Community Gallery, on Friday, August 7, 5.30pm for 6pm start. The cost is $30 and bookings are essential by emailing alumni@scu.edu.au

Photo: Donna Franklin, a nurse unit manager and volunteer, was last year’s Alumnus of the Year and will be the guest speaker at this year’s event.