Hunt is on for award-winning alumni

Southern Cross University is calling on the community, alumni, staff and students to send in their nominations for the 2011 Alumni of the Year Awards.

The awards, which will be presented at a gala event in Bangalow on Friday August 5, recognise and honour the outstanding achievements of Southern Cross University alumni and highlight the contributions they have made to the community.

Nominations close on May 31 with winners selected according to exceptional leadership and achievement in their field of endeavour, outstanding service to the community and creativity and innovation in ideas or services.

Last year leading Lismore environmentalist, Gordon Fraser-Quick, took the 2010 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year while rugby league legend Steve Price won the Young Alumnus of the Year award.

Gordon Fraser-Quick, who graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in 1995 and a Graduate Diploma of Education in 2003, has been involved in award-winning integrated waste management services and designed and constructed the world’s largest vermiculture facility.

Integrated with the introduction of kerbside collection of organic waste from every household in the City of Lismore, this facility converts the waste to saleable potting mix and soil conditioner.

Mr Fraser-Quick told the audience at the awards ceremony last year he was incredibly proud of receiving the award.

“Southern Cross University is an organisation that has provided me and other graduates with a way to change not only individual lives but to make a positive impact on the lives of people in communities around the world,” said Mr Fraser-Quick.

“It has fuelled my passion for environmental science and given me the tools to go out and make a positive difference on the planet.”

Steve Price, who graduated with a Master of Business Administration last year, has had an exceptional career as a rugby league player, and has also been involved in a range of community activities, including the Warriors Against Bullying (WAB) program, which focuses on teaching primary school students anti-bullying skills and the League of Libraries initiative, which aims to enhance literacy levels in primary school children.

Steve, one of the few NRL players to obtain a Masters degree, said he recognised the need for further qualifications to enable him to continue his career when he finishes playing.

“I’d love to be involved in the executive of the National Rugby League but the opportunities in the corporate field of the game are few and you need to be in a position to take them as they arise,” said Steve.

“I owe huge thanks to Southern Cross University because without their flexible and supportive approach to distance education study, there is no way I could have ever undertaken my degree while maintaining a professional sporting career.

“I hope I can serve as an inspiration to other sports people by showing them that it is possible to get a university-level qualification while still being a competitive player.”

For more information or to make a nomination go to www.scu.edu.au/alumni
and follow the link ‘2011 Alumni of the Year Awards’.

Nominations must be received at the Southern Cross University Alumni Relations Office by the close of business on 31 May.

The Southern Cross University Alumni of the Year Awards will be presented at a gala event on Friday August 5, at the A & I Hall in Bangalow, Byron Shire. Southern Cross University alumni and their partners are invited to attend, with tickets available for purchase from June 1.

Photo (L-R):The Hon John Dowd AO QC, Southern Cross University Chancellor, with Gordon Fraser-Quick, Steve Price and Professor Peter Lee, Southern Cross University Vice Chancellor at the 2010 Alumni of the Year Awards (high resolution image available on request).