Event Highlights
Highlights from Alumni Events
Events 2008
- 3rd Annual Wine Tasting Experience
Date: Wednesday 25 June 2008
The Alumni Relations Office held its 3rd Annual Wine Tasting and gourmet food evening at the Yuga Café and Gallery in Glebe. This year, wines were generously provided by Logan wines, a boutique winery in the NSW Central Ranges. Peter Logan, the winemaker, took the 90 guests through the tasting of five delicious wines from his premium range, in a colourful and enlightening presentation.
Logan Wines: www.loganwines.com.au
Yuga Floral Design and Café: www.yugaflora.com.au - Alumni Awards Ceremony
Date: Wednesday 4 June 2008
The new Chancellor of Macquarie University, the Honourable Michael Egan, and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Steven Schwartz, presided over the 2008 Alumni Awards Ceremony in the U@MQ building on campus.
Over 100 people attended the presentation including the recipients of scholarships, awards and prizes together with family and friends, Members of the Standing Committee of Convocation, Members of the Executive, and other University staff and invited guests.
To add to the celebratory atmosphere, guests enjoyed delicious canapés and drinks whilst listening to the fabulous jazz group, "The World According to James".
The winner in each award category is listed below:
2007 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.
Dr Catherine Patricia Foley - winner 2007 Alumni Award for Distinguished Service (Professional Category)
Following completion of her PhD in the area of nitride semiconductors, work which is still highly cited, Cathy moved to the CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering Division. At the CSIRO Cathy was instrumental in developing high temperature superconducting quantum interference devices which are now used in applications such as mineral and oil exploration. Cathy is a Research Program Leader for Devices, Systems and Engineering for CSIRO, and has lead her team to Divisional awards in 2003, 2004, and 2005. In addition to her outstanding professional achievements, Cathy has been very active in the promotion and communication of science. In 2003 Cathy was awarded the Eureka Prize for "outstanding passion and dedication to science promotion, including the promotion of women in science", and in the same year was awarded the Public Service Medal in Australia Day Honours for service to physics and promotion of science and women in science. Cathy is currently serving the Australian scientific community as President of the Australian Institute of Physics; she is the first woman to hold this position.
Dr Philip Jack Foreman - winner 2007 Alumni Award for Distinguished Service (Professional Category)
Phillip is one of Australia's leading educators and has made an exemplary contribution to the field of special education across several decades. He has served as Director of Special Education Centre, Dean of Students and, until recently, Dean of Education at the University of Newcastle. Phillip was also instrumental in establishing the Renwick College, Royal Institute of Deaf & Blind Children, and has been Acting Head since 1993. Phillip has established several disability organisations, while continuing to lead innovative research and practice. Indeed, Phillip's teaching, writing and community service activities have had a profound impact upon disability policy development, nationally and internationally. His textbook "Inclusion in Action" is now in its fourth edition and is widely considered the standard text in its field. Phillip has received several awards in acknowledgement of his outstanding community involvement, particularly for the rights, development and well being of all people with disabilities in the community.
Dr David Montgomery Knox - winner 2007 Alumni Award for Distinguished Service (Professional Category)
David has played a leading role in actuarial education by introducing in the mid-1990's the subject of Actuarial Control Cycle in Australia. This pivotal innovation has not only become a key ingredient of the education of actuaries in Australia, but it has also been emulated by both the UK and North American actuarial education programs. David has been a Director of PricewaterhouseCoopers Actuarial for 5 years and now a Worldwide Partner at global consultants Mercer. He has been an independent board member of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), has served on several other government panels and committees, and is currently the Designated Actuary to the Australian Government's Future Fund. David's motivational and strategic leadership, his orientation to addressing the challenges of the future, and his belief in the capabilities of actuaries have gained him the respect of his peers at the Institute of Actuaries of Australia, who chose him as Australian Actuary of the Year in 1996 and as their President in 2000.
Dr Julia Patricia Vonwiller - winner 2007 Alumni Award for Distinguished Service (Professional Category)
After Julie completed her first class honours degree in Linguistics (1980) and her PhD in (1989) she embarked on a distinguished career in language research and set up her own language technology company, named Appen Pty Ltd. With its leading-edge technology and ability to handle spoken and written communication in more than 80 languages, Appen now has clients all over the world, including the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia; as well as Microsoft, Nokia, Siemens, Toshiba and other high-profile IT firms. Julie has lent her professional expertise to preserving the large archive of Australian student voices collected by Mitchell and Delbridge in the 1960s; and to affirming the importance of linguistic training and the linguistics discipline in academic inquiry. Equally she has contributed professional time and energy to running international conferences on speech and language technology (Interspeech), in Sydney (1998) and again this year in Brisbane, ensuring Australia's visibility and recognition in this innovative field.
June Wangmann - winner 2007 Alumni Award for Distinguished Service (Professional Category)
June has played a key role in improving the quality of child and family services in Australia. She has achieved this through her academic research and publications, her service on many state and national advisory committees and boards, and her leadership in positions. These have included the Head of the Institute of Early Childhood, founding Director of the NSW Parenting and Research Centre within the Department of Community Services, and Director of the Office of Childcare. Her 1995 volume Towards Integration and Quality Assurance in Children's Services, a ground breaking work, has had enormous impact on early childhood services nationally and internationally. Another major achievement involved a comprehensive analysis of local and overseas children's rights commissioner models. From this she developed a consensus model for the National Commissioner for Children and Young People. She is a recipient of a 2001 Commonwealth Government Centenary Medal and a 2002 NSW Children's Services Week Award.
Andrew Phillip Scipione - winner 2007 Alumni Award for Distinguished Service (Community Category)
Andrew Scipione is the New South Wales Commissioner of Police. Soon after joining the Police Force in 1980, Andrew demonstrated his outstanding skills and ability in criminal investigation work which resulted in his appointment as a Detective in 1983. In 1985, he was seconded to the position of Officer in Charge, Technical Services Division at the National Crime Authority with the rank of Detective Senior Sergeant. Andrew also served for several years as the Senior NSW Police Counter Terrorist Advisor to the Standing Advisory Committee on Protection Against Violence, and in which he contributed in no small way to keeping our country, and indeed our citizens safe. Andrew has been associated with innovation in the NSW Police force. He has made significant contributions in identifying and promoting change across operational policing areas. Under his leadership demonstrable change has occurred in leadership, management processes, information and technology systems, recruitment and training regimes, cultural diversity within the force, and equal opportunity employment.
Gregory Colin Ward - winner 2007 Alumni Award for Distinguished Service (Community Category)
Greg Ward is the Chief Financial Officer and Head of Corporate Affairs for Macquarie Group Limited. He is also a member of the Bank's Executive Committee. Greg joined Macquarie on listing in 1996 and is responsible for many areas of the Bank that oversees some 1,500 staff located in 26 offices internationally. Greg is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and is an Associate of The Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA). He also has served as a Board member of the Australian Accounting Standards Board from September 1999 until February 2003.Greg was an inaugural member of the Federal Treasury's newly formed Financial Reporting Panel until November 2007. He is also a Board member of the Macquarie Bank Foundation which facilitates the Bank's charitable undertakings, and a Board member of UNICEF Australia. Greg has taken been a long-standing friend of the Department of Accounting and Finance at Macquarie University, particularly in his role as a member of the department's Advisory Board from its inception in1994. In that voluntary role, Greg has contributed significantly to the Department's strategies for research, teaching and community outreach, as well as for the governance and management of the Department. Greg has also strongly contributed as a part time lecturer in both undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the Department of Accounting and Finance.
Alumni Prizes 2008
Awarded to the first year student in each Division with the highest UAI on entry to the University. Presented with a Co-op Bookshop voucher valued at $250.
2008 Recipients
Australian Centre for Educational Studies - Veronica Vance
Division of Economic & Financial Studies - Wenjing Irene Liu
Division of Environmental & Life Sciences - Eleanor Ines Miranda Irving
Division of Humanities - Evan Luke Jewell
Division of Information & Communication Sciences - Jessica Osie
Division of Law - Tamanna Islam
Division of Linguistics & Psychology - Judy Nai-Tzu Liu
Division of Society, Culture, Media & Philosophy - Nigel John GillanYi Qing Pang - winner of the Macquarie University Kathryn Murphy Memorial Prize 2007
Awarded to the female student with the most meritorious performance proceeding to the honours degree of Bachelor in the Division of Economic and Financial Studies. This prize is valued at $2,500.Thanh Ha Le - winner of the Macquarie University Raymond Powys Memorial Prize 2007
Awarded to the student with the most meritorious performance over all units in the Master of Commerce in Accounting and Finance. This Prize is valued at $2,500.Simon Andrew Hardwick and Benjamin Eric Stephens – shared winners of the Macquarie University Science/Technology Prize 2007
Awarded to a science honours student whose work shows outstanding promise in a science discipline and potential for commercial or professional application. This Prize is valued at $2,500.Alice Curry - winner of the Higher Degree Research Excellence Prize 2007
Barbara Nevicky – winner of the Higher Degree Research Excelelnce Prize 2007
Awarded to the two top-ranked alumni scholarship applicants in the Australian Postgraduate Award and Endeavour International Postgraduate Research round. This Prize is valued at $2,500.Hannah Wade - winner of the 2008 Alex Mitchell Scholarship
A scholarship renewable up to three years. Awarded to an undergraduate student studying within the Division of Humanities for outstanding academic merit and commitment to social issues. This Scholarship is valued at $2,500 per year for three years.John Hunter - winner of the 2008 Macquarie University Garrawi Indigenous Scholarship
The Macquarie University Garrawi Indigenous Scholarship was established in 2005 to encourage Indigenous students to undertake postgraduate studies at Macquarie University. It is awarded to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person on the basis of academic merit and demonstrated commitment to Indigenous community advancement. The Scholarship is valued at $2,500.Lynnette Jenkinson - winner of the 2008 Macquarie University Honours Scholarship
The Macquarie University Honours Scholarship was established by the Standing Committee of Convocation in 2007 to enable the holder to pursue a program of study leading to a Bachelor Honours degree. It is a needs-based scholarship to encourage research in any discipline. The scholarship is valued at $5,000.Samantha Dickfos - winner of the 2008 Macquarie University Family Scholarship
Toby Warnes - winner of the 2008 Macquarie University Family Scholarship
The Macquarie University Family Scholarship was established by the Standing Committee of Convocation in 2007 to encourage the legacy of family members attending Macquarie across generations. Two scholarships are awarded to incoming students in any discipline. The scholarship is valued at $5,000.Tsz Kin Jeff Lo - winner of the 2008 Alumni Awards for Meritorious Performance, Hong Kong
Wimala Widjaja - winner of the 2008 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 2008, who has studied the majority of their units in Hong Kong or Singapore. - Workshop in Shanghai: What's New in my Industry?
Date: Thursday 24 April 2008
The Macquarie University Alumni Association (MUAA), Shanghai recently held a successful get-together for alumni to discuss and explore current industry news and trends. The discussion topic for the event was: "What's new in my industry?"
An interesting presentation was given by Clement Tsang, President of the MUAA, Shanghai Chapter on "Global Online Video Trends". Alumni were actively engaged with the presentation and were also invited to present on the latest trends etc in their industry.
- Drinks for recent graduates at the Cargo Bar - King Street Wharf, Sydney
Date: Wednesday 12 March 2008
Another sell-out event for Macquarie's recent graduates!
The Alumni Relations Office held another successful networking evening for our recent graduates at the Cargo Bar in Sydney.
Alumni and guests enjoyed the spectacular views of Darling Harbour whilst catching-up with fellow graduates at this popular trendy venue. There was plenty of delicious food, good wine & cold beer circulating throughout the evening!
Mark Herndon, Director, Alumni Relations, highlighted the new Macquarie Ambassadors Program and encouraged alumni to become involved!
For those of you who missed out on this get-together, we're planning more social activities like it throughout 2008.
- Andy Warhole Exhibition
Date: Thursday 28 February 2008
Macquarie graduates of the Queensland Chapter were treated to a special private viewing of the Andy Warhol Exhibition, exclusive to Brisbane, at the Gallery of Modern Art.
A fabulous time was had by all whilst viewing Australia's first major Andy Warhol retrospective!
- Alumni Lecture: Prof Clive Williams MG, terrorist expert
Date: Wednesday 27 February 2008
Lecture Topic: "Benazir Bhutto's assassination: Who did it and why? And what does it mean for the West?"
Alumni who attended our first lecture of the 2008 Alumni Lecture Series were presented with a fascinating perspective on the current situation in Pakistan by Macquarie's Professor Williams, one of Australia's foremost terrorism experts, and Adjunct Professor at the Centre for Policing, Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism.
The timing of the lecture enabled Professor Williams to examine the ramifications of Benazir Bhutto's assassination in the context of the recent election results - and what it means for the future.
- Openging Night at Macquarie Art Gallery Exhibition: 'Harbourlife: Sydney Harbour from the 1940s to recent times'
Date: Friday 15 February 2008
Meg Stewart, biographer and writer, opened the Macquarie University Art Gallery exhibition, "Harbourlife: Sydney Harbour from the 1940s to recent time".
Harbourlife, curated by Gavin Wilson, traced the dramatic transformation of Sydney's working harbour and waterways over the past 65 years. It featured paintings, works on paper, photography and ceramics by significant Australian artists.
The Opening Night attracted a good crowd of people, including Macquarie alumni and some of the art fraternity. It was a most successful evening as guests looked on and listened with their glass of champagne.
Meg Stewart's opening address was the highlight of the evening as she shared some vivid stories and childhood memories of the harbour. She also provided great insight into the relationship between her artist mother, Margaret Coen and Norman Lindsay.
The curator, Gavin Wilson travelled from Hill End to attend the Opening Night, and was very pleased with the reception.
Exhibition Dates: 23 January - 8 March 2008