Event Highlights
Highlights from Alumni Events
Events 2007
- Gourmet Dinner & Beer Tasting: Redoak Beer Café
Date: Saturday 27 October 2007
In it's 3rd year, the annual event at the Redoak Beer Café was yet again a great success. The evening began with award winning boutique beers and canapes whilst alumni socialised with one another. Alumni and guests enjoyed a delicious meal with European-style premium beers expertly matched to each course. During the evening, Simon, the sommelier, explained the individual flavour and aroma profiles of the various beer styles brewed on the premises..
- Annual Parliament House Luncheon, Professor Tim Flannery - Guest Speaker
Date: Thursday 20 September 2007
Professor Tim Flannery, the 2007 Australian of the Year, presented 180 Macquarie alumni and guests with an "update on climate change" at a luncheon, held in the Strangers' Dining Room at State Parliament, in Macquarie Street, Sydney on Thursday 20 September, 2007.
The luncheon was hosted by the Hon John Aquilina and Professor Flannery was introduced by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Steven Schwartz, who described him as one of Australia's leading thinkers, writers, and an internationally-acclaimed scientist having published more than 100 peer reviewed articles, and well-know for his influential books such as The Future Eaters and The Weather Makers.
- Alumni Lecture - Dr Hugh Mackay Psychologist and Social researcher (includes PODCAST)
Lecture 1: 23 August 2007
Podcast of Lecture 2
Lecture 2: 1 November 2007Renowned social researcher, Dr Hugh Mackay said that Australia may just be reawakening from a "dreamy period" in which it turned its back on large political and social issues, and instead concentrated more on personal and private matters such as home renovations.
Dr Mackay presented his first lecture to a sold-out audience of 130 alumni and guests on 23 August 2007 at the State Library, and by popular demand, he kindly presented a repeat lecture to an audience (sold-out again) of 230 people at the Price Theatre on Macquarie's campus on 1 November 2007.
Dr Mackay, who has recently launched a new book, Advance Australia ... Where?, said the past 25-30 years had seen Australia in the grip of an "extraordinary, radically, revolutionary" period of upheaval.
Professor Elizabeth More, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development and External Relations, and Mark Herndon, Director, Alumni Office, also told alumni about the exciting new Macquarie Ambassador program which was developed by the Alumni Office.
Alumni had the opportunity to network over some drinks and canapés following the lecture, while Dr Mackay was happy to individually sign copies of his book.
- Macquarie Mentors - Special Preview of Macquarie Ambassadors Program
Date: Tuesday 31 July 2007
The Alumni Office organised a reunion of past and present Mentors@Macquarie at PJ Gallagher's Irish Pub on Tuesday 31 July, 2007.
Approx 40 alumni and student mentors, together with their leader, Sandie Rudman, attended this important evening. Everyone enjoyed the lovely food and drinks and had the opportunity to pre-view the new Macquarie Ambassadors Program.
Macquarie Ambassadors Program is an initiative for alumni to get involved with, and assist in promoting the good name of Macquarie, and to support current students.
Approximately 25 alumni signed the Expression of Interest to become Macquarie Ambassadors.
Debra McCarthy and Yuan Lin won the restaurant vouchers and will be enjoying their prizes shortly.
- Victoria Chapter - Cocktail Reception
Date: Friday 13 July 2007
More than 70 Macquarie Alumni attended the inaugural Victorian Chapter networking event on Friday 27th July 2007 at the iconic brewery of Fosters CUB in Abbotsford.
This function provided a terrific networking opportunity for Macquarie's alumni living in Victoria!
- Beijing - Annual Alumni Dinner
Date: Friday 13 July 2007
More than 50 alumni, accompanied by the Vice-Chancellor and Macquarie staff, enjoyed a fantastic networking dinner at the Kuntai Royal Hotel on Friday, 13 July. The alumni dinner preceded a Macquarie University Graduation Ceremony at Tsinghua University the following day. Again, a highlight of the alumni dinner was the launch of the Macquarie Ambassadors Program. Just like in Shanghai, nearly 100 per cent of the alumni attending the dinner signing up to be an Ambassador!
- Shanghai Cocktail Reception
Date: Thursday, 12 July 2007
The trendy Neo Café, with its funky retro styling, was a perfect meeting point for alumni at a cocktail reception on Thursday, 12 July. More than 40 alumni enjoyed a casual and entertaining evening with the Vice-Chancellor. A highlight of the event was the launch of the Macquarie Ambassadors Program, and a nearly 100 per cent participation rate by the alumni attending the reception.
- Singapore - Graduation 2007
Date: Tuesday, 10 July 2007
- Singapore - Annual Cocktail Reception
Date: Monday, 9 July 2007
Alumni and guests, including the Vice-Chancellor and Macquarie University staff, gathered at the National Museum of Singapore on Monday, 9 July for the Alumni Association's annual Cocktail Reception. Recently re-opened after years of renovation, the Museum provided a wonderful location for alumni to share their fond memories of Macquarie, as well as to learn about the Macquarie Ambassadors Program.
- Hong Kong - Graduation 2007
Date: Sunday, 8 July 2007
- Hong Kong - Annual Alumni Dinner
Date: Saturday, 7 July 2007
The Macquarie University Alumni Association's Annual Alumni Dinner was held on Saturday, 7 July at the City Garden Hotel in North Point. More than 100 alumni, joined by the Vice-Chancellor and members of Macquarie staff, attended this annual event to reconnect with fellow alumni. A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the Chapter's official baseball cap which many proudly wore throughout the evening. In addition, the Macquarie Ambassadors Program was introduced by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
- The Alumni Awards Ceremony
Date: Wednesday 23 May 2007
The Chancellor, Mr Maurice Newman, AC and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Steven Schwartz presided over the 2007 Alumni Awards Ceremony held in the SAM building on campus. Around 80 people attended including the prize winners and their guests, Members of the Standing Committee of Convocation, Academic staff and other invited guests.
The evening commenced with some lively music by the fabulous band, Sirocco and continued with the presentation of awards, scholarships and prizes. The ceremony concluded with some celebratory drinks and canapés.
The winner in each award category is listed below:
2006 Alumni Award for Distinguished Service
(Professional and Community Service Categories)
This Award recognises the outstanding achievements of alumni at Macquarie University for Distinguished Service to either their profession or to the community.Christine Nixon APM - 2006 winner Alumni Award for Distinguished Service, Community Category
With her appointment in 2001 as Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, Christine became Australia's first woman Chief Commissioner of Police. Prior to that she was a police officer for more than 30 years, curing which time she has worked in some of the most dangerous and difficult areas of policing. As Chief Commissioner, she has faced challenges relating to police corruption in Victoria and an underworld crime wave. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Macquarie University, a Diploma of Labour Law from the University of Sydney, a Masters of Public Relations from Harvard University, and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Wollongong University.Catherine Livingston - winner 2006 Alumni Award for Distinguished Service, Professional category
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting with First Class Honours from Macquarie University, Catherine spent several years with Price Waterhouse in the Sydney and London offices. She then moved to Nucleus Limited before being appointed Managing Director of Cochlear Pty Ltd in 1994 where she remained until 2000 after growing the company to an internationally successful organisation. Catherine was awarded the Chartered Accountants in Business Award in 2000, a Centenary Medal in 2003, and was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering in 2002. She has served on the Boards of many major Australian companies, including Goodman Fielder, Rural Press, Macquarie Bank, and Telstra Corporation. She is also a member of the advisory board of Macquarie's Department of Accounting and Finance.Peter Sjoquist, AM - winner 2006 Alumni Award for Distinguished Service (Community Category)
After graduating with a BA (econ) in 1979, Peter spent more than 20 years in television and movie production before turning his talents to the Rock Challenge - a performing arts showcase for young people in Australian schools. From humble beginnings in 1988, the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge now involves around 50,000 school students around Australia each year. In 1998, Peter launched the Croc Festival which promotes positive and healthy lifestyle messages for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in rural and remote areas of Australia. A three-year study substantiated the long-held belief that the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge is a successful youth intervention program with a positive impact on the students who take part. Peter's outstanding youth community work has been recognised with such awards as Social Entrepreneur of the Year, the Centenary Medal and a Membership of the Order of Australia.Alumni Prizes 2007
These Prizes are awarded to the students with the highest UAI entering the first year of an undergraduate degree in each Division. They will receive a book voucher valued at $250 from the University Co-Op Bookshop.2007 Recipents
- Centre for Educational Studies - Terryanne Jane Fletcher
- Division of Economic & Financial Studies - Yin Jie Wang
- Division of Environmental & Life Sciences - Karen Jane Wilcox
- Division of Humanities - Tennille Ferguson-Brown
- Division of Information & Communication Sciences - Nathan Harvey
- Division of Law - Daniel Marcolin
- Division of Linguistics & Psychology - Shade Zahrai
- Division of Society, Culture, Media & Philosophy - Gemma Louise Boyle
Chen Jie Ju - winner of the Macquarie University Kathryn Murphy Memorial Prize 2006
This prize is valued at $2,500 and is awarded for academic merit in 300-level units undertaken by a female student proceeding to an honours degree in the Division of Economics and Financial StudiesNobuko Forrest - winner of the Macquarie University Raymond Powys Memorial Prize 2006
This Prize is valued at $2,500 and is awarded for the most meritorious performance over all units in the Master of Commerce.Deborah Miriam Apthorp - winner of the Macquarie University Science/Technology Prize 2006
This award is valued at $2,500 and is awarded to a student proceeding to the award of the Honours Degree of Bachelors within the Divisions of Environmental and Life Sciences, Information and Communication Sciences and Linguistics and Psychology.Ashley Laura Coward - winner of the 2007 Alex Mitchell Scholarship
This scholarship is valued at $2,500 and is tenable for three years. It is awarded to a full-time incoming first year student enrolled in a Bachelor degree majoring in a subject area within the Division of Humanities.Warren James Hancock - winner of the 2007 Macquarie University Garrawi Indigenous Scholarship
This scholarship is valued at $2,500 and is awarded on the basis of academic merit and commitment to Indigenous community advancement to an Indigenous student enrolled in a postgraduate degree.Karen Davis - winner of the 2007 Macquarie University Honours Scholarship
This scholarship is valued at $5,000 and is awarded to a student enrolled in a Bachelor Honours degree in any discipline. This is a new scholarship in 2007.Libby Radjenovic - winner of the 2007 Macquarie University Family Scholarship
This scholarship is valued at $5,000 and is awarded to a first year student in any discipline to encourage the legacy of family members attending Macquarie University across generations. This is a new scholarship in 2007.Tam Yin Bu - winner of the 2007 Alumni Awards for Meritorious Performance, Hong Kong
Paul James Duff - winner of the 2007 Alumni Awards for Meritorious Performance, Singapore
These Awards are presented to the student with the most meritorious performance over all units, listed to graduate in a ceremony in Hong Kong and Singapore in 2007, who has studied the majority of their units in Hong Kong or Singapore.
- Discover Macquarie's Hidden Treasures
Date: Tuesday 15 May 2007
In conjunction with Dr Andrew Simpson, the Alumni office organised a very successful tour of some of Macquarie's Museums and Art Gallery. More than 180 enthusiastic people registered to attend either the afternoon or evening tour. Professor Elizabeth More spoke to alumni about the role of the Alumni Office in her portfolio of Development and External Relations.
Some of the highlights included:
The Museum of Ancient Cultures - alumni were introduced to the largest papyrus collection in the southern hemisphere.
The Biology Museum - alumni met a live lungfish, a link to the early evolution of vertebrates.
The Australian History Museum - alumni heard of plans for an exhibition on Prisoners of War through a partnership with the NSW branch of the RSL.
The tour also included the Exploration Exhibition at the University Art Gallery which alumni enjoyed while having a glass of bubbly.
- Wine Tasting & Gourmet Food Evening
Date: Wednesday 18 April 2007
The Alumni Office held a very successful wine tasting and gourmet food evening at Yuga Café and Arts Gallery in Glebe with wines generously provided by Neagles Rock. Steve Wiblin, the winemaker from Neagles Rock, a boutique winery in the Clare Valley, South Australia came across especially to take the 100 guests through the tasting of the six delicious wines.
www.neaglesrock.com and www.yugaflora.com.au - Alumni Lecutre - "Pilbara to Mars: Are we Alone?"
Date: Wednesday 11 April 2007
The first alumni lecture was a fascinating presentation of the Pilbara project and how this scientific exploration influences what we can learn about life on Mars. The Guest Speaker was Carol Oliver, Assistant Director, Management and Outreach, The Australian Centre for Astrobiology (ACA).
The Alumni Office was delighted that the lecture was booked out with 130 registrations demonstrating a strong interest in this topic. The lecture was held for the first time in one of the seminar rooms at Dunmore Lang College. www.pilbara.mq.edu.au
- Drinks for recent graduates at the Cruise Bar - West Circular Quay, Sydney
Date: Tuesday 13 March 2007
The Alumni Office kicked-off the 2007 events calendar with a successful networking evening for our recent graduates at the Cruise Bar in Sydney.
We were overwhelmed by the response as more than 200 alumni signed-up within the first 24 hours of promoting the event.
The evening was complimented with perfect weather as alumni and guests enjoyed the spectacular views of Sydney Harbour.
Winners of our Lucky Draw took home a variety of prizes including 4 free trips to the Hunter Valley, a bottle of wine, and a couple of all-time-favourite Macquarie University t-shirts.
For those of you who missed out on this get-together, we're planning more social activities like it throughout 2007.
- The Macquarie University Actuarial Alumni AGM
Date: Monday 5 February 2007
The Macquarie University Actuarial Alumni Association held an AGM and drinks night on Monday, 5 February 2007 in the Sydney CBD. After a brief report on the Association's activities by Mark Gallagher, more than 40 alumni enjoyed catching up over drinks. The Actuarial Alumni Association looks forward to organising additional events in 2007 under the guidance of Mark, who was re-elected as President.