Alumni invited to ‘plant roots’ at USC
Many of you would have received information in the mail recently about the Alumni Native Tree Project, launched in conjunction with the Alumni GOLD (Graduates Of the Last Decade) program.
Graduates are invited to leave a legacy by giving A$250 to plant a native tree on campus. The trees will line a new pathway—‘alumni way’—which will link the main campus with the new Health and Sport Precinct. Five-year pledges of A$50 per year towards a tree are also gratefully accepted.
All alumni donors of A$250 or more to the Building Excellence campaign will have their names mounted on a donor wall within the new Health and Sport Centre.
One of the first graduates to ‘plant their roots’ was Ben Hancock (MFinPlan 2006).
"The University provided me with the opportunity to grow my knowledge and my career and I wanted to give something back," he said.
Thank you to all those who have supported the project so far. If you did not receive an Alumni Native Tree Project package and would like some more information, please contact the Alumni Relations office.
Participation in the campaign is what really matters—not the size of your gift. Please show your support for USC with a gift of any amount. Donations are tax deductible for Australian income tax purposes.
Brisbane alumni event in September
The Alumni Relations office is organising an informal get-together for alumni in Brisbane. Come and meet other USC graduates and hear from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Greg Hill, on the latest University news, courses and events.
Date: Tuesday 4 September 2007
Time: 6–8pm
Venue: Vino’s Restaurant, Eagle Street Pier, Brisbane
RSVP: Wednesday 29 August via email to Anita Edmonds or telephone +61 7 5459 4564
There is no entry fee, and finger food and refreshments are included. Street parking is available, or Wilson Parking at the Eagle Street Pier has a flat rate of A$8 after 6pm. A reminder email to Brisbane-based alumni will be sent shortly. We hope to see you there!
USC graduate takes skills to the outback
Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) graduate Andrew Groenwoldt has returned to south-east Queensland to work on a recycled water project, after spending time in Central Australia coordinating essential services for Indigenous Homelands.
As the Senior Homeland Field Officer for Anangu Pitjantjatjara Services, Andrew coordinated essential services such as waste, fire and weed management as well as landscaping and revegetation in 90 Homelands over 105,000 square kilometres.
Andrew says the issues attached to the sensitive environment and the opportunity to work with interesting people in a “remarkable” part of the country attracted him to the position.
Now back in Queensland, Andrew has gained a position as the Environmental Adviser and Cultural Heritage Contact Officer for the Western Pipeline Alliance, which is constructing a recycled water pipeline between Cabonbah and Bundamba.
Since his graduation in 2006, Andrew has visited the USC campus to speak with current Environmental Science students about his experiences. He has also mentored USC science students completing work experience.
"I see these activities as an opportunity to give something back to an institution in which I have spent six years as a part-time mature-age student," Andrew says.
Alumni Connect—where are they now?
Barbara Humphreys-Grey, BA 1999
After leaving USC, Barbara completed a Bachelor of Education at QUT and has since been teaching English and Studies of Society and Environment at James Nash State High School in Gympie in the Learning Support and Special Education area. “I am so proud of being an inaugural student of USC and graduating at 49. I became a 'beginning teacher' at 53 and am now in my fifth year … and loving it!” she says. Sustainability is another passion, as Barbara and her partner work towards self-sufficiency in fruit and vegetable production based on permaculture principles.
Jed Carey, BIT(E-comm&Des) 2005
Jed has started two businesses utilising his Bachelor of Information Technology degree. The first is a branding, design and web development company based on the Sunshine Coast, servicing clients as diverse as BHP Billiton to Cooroy Mountain Spring Water. The latest business venture is a do-it-yourself email newsletter system, allowing companies to design, create and send their own e-newsletter from all over the world. Jed is also a major shareholder in an online tours company that specialises in adventure tours to Peru and other destinations in South America.
Heather Brownlie, BSc(EnvSc) 2005, BSc(Hons) 2006
Since February last year, Heather has been employed as a Conservation Officer with the Threatened Species and Ecosystems Unit of the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency. “I am mostly involved in recovery planning for Queensland's threatened species and implementation of on-ground recovery such as the critically endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat,” she says. Heather also assists on the 'Back on Track' species project, the first of its kind in Australia, identifying priorities for conservation and developing multi-species recovery.
Bradley Nyquist, BA 2007
Bradley finished his studies last year and has moved to Melbourne working as an Account Manager (Online Marketing and Communication) for Extracorp. Their main business is footytips.com.au, Australia's largest provider of customised footy tipping fantasy football solutions. “I spend my days researching sporting events, talking sports with clients and learning, playing and developing fantasy football and footy tipping solutions,” he says.
Belinda Kaberry (nee Lee), BBus(Mktg) 2002
Since completing her degree, Belinda has moved to Victoria and works as a Senior Business Specialist for a telecommunications company in Melbourne. Her main role is to identify process improvement strategies and manage them through to implementation. "I have been working for the company for over eight years now and really enjoy the diversity of each project I work on," she says.
Haznan Hamzah, MFinPlan 2005
After gaining his Master of Financial Planning offshore in Malaysia, Haznan has been freelancing as a lecturer in Financial Planning. In January 2007, he enrolled as a PhD student at the University Technology MARA, Malaysia. “I am doing research on ‘Saving Behaviour’, targeting parents’ intentions towards saving for their children's higher education funding. I hope to complete it by the end of 2009.”
What have you been doing since leaving USC?
We are always interested to hear what our graduates have been up to, so please send your story to Alumni Relations. Also, please let us know if you would like us to forward your news to any particular lecturers or tutors.
Visit the new $10 million sports stadium
Over the next few months the Alumni Relations office will host a private viewing for graduates of the new $10 million indoor sports stadium.
Recently opened by Federal Education, Science and Training Minister Julie Bishop, the air-conditioned 3,705 square metre stadium is the first of its kind on the Sunshine Coast and will be used for University and community sporting events, including basketball, netball, futsal, volleyball and badminton.
USC graduate Drew Walker (MBA 2004) is pictured at right, trying out the basketball facilities.
“What singles this stadium out is that there will be analytical and research activities associated with the sports undertaken here, to enhance the performance of young and old, elite or leisure participants,” Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Thomas AM said.
The private viewing will be an opportunity for alumni to experience first-hand how the University is continuing to expand its world-class health and sport facilities for the benefit of not only staff and students of the University and Chancellor State College, but also for the whole community.
More details of the event will follow shortly.
Stay connected
As a member of our alumni, the University encourages you to stay in touch. To inform us of a change in your address or job, please let us know by either emailing Alumni Relations or completing the Stay Connected form.
The University profiles alumni members in USC publications and on the USC website throughout the year, so please let us know of your successes and achievements. We look forward to hearing from you.
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