Alumni excellence recognised at awards event

Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs said JCU is honoured to recognise the remarkable achievements of its alumni.

“The Outstanding Alumni Awards remind us of the important role JCU has played and continues to play in shaping our graduates,” he said.

“We are immensely proud of the impactful work our graduates go on to do in their respective fields and they should all be congratulated for continuing to inspire others along their journey.”

“JCU is giving our future leaders the tools they need to succeed anywhere in the world.”

This year’s award recipients include the Head of the Australian Antarctic Division, Emma Campbell, receiver of the prestigious Chancellor’s Distinguished Award, who recognises James Cook University as an important stepping stone for her illustrious career.

“My time at JCU was one of the best times of my life,” said Emma Campbell, who went on to explain that she still uses her JCU Bachelor of Science skills this far into her career.

“It’s great to be able to use those skills, and also the leadership skills that I learned at JCU,” she said.

Ross Andrews, Executive Project Officer of the Yarrabah Leaders Forum and former Mayor of Yarrabah Shire Council, received the Outstanding Indigenous Alumni Award for his exceptional work with his community. He completed a Bachelor of Business with JCU and explained how continued connections with the university can benefit communities.

“In my current role, we do have relationships with academic institutions. JCU, being in our region, it's a great privilege to be working with them on education projects, research projects.”

“It's a great reflection on how communities can use research to benefit their communities,” he continued.

Creating impactful change in communities was an important driver for other award recipients too (see below for full recipient list).

Endodontist Dr Olivia Rae, recipient of the Rising Star Award, is determined to bridge the healthcare divide between metropolitan and regional areas. Dr Nalissa Neuendorf, who was awarded of the Spirit of JCU Award helps community-based researchers to better health outcomes in communities in Papua New Guinea. And family law Judge Julie Suthers, who received the Vice Chancellor’s Distinguished Award, is driven to help vulnerable people in her community.

Full list of recipients

• Chancellor’s Distinguished Award – celebrates alumni who demonstrate distinguished and significant excellence in their career, industry or community.
  Ms Emma Campbell, Head of Australian Antarctic Division.
• Vice Chancellor’s Distinguished Award – celebrates alumni who demonstrate distinguished and significant excellence in their career, industry or community.
  Her Honour Judge Julie Suthers, Federal Circuit Court and Family Court of Australia.
• Rising Star Award – celebrates extraordinary accomplishments of younger alumni and what they have achieved in their shorter career span, nominees will be 39 years or younger at time of nomination.
  Dr Olivia Rae, Endodontist, Dental Specialist, Owner of Townsville Endodontics
• Outstanding Indigenous Alumni Award – celebrates an exceptional graduate of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, who demonstrates outstanding achievement in their chosen field and/or has made outstanding contributions to the community.
  Mr Ross Andrews, Executive Project Officer Yarrabah Leaders Forum and former Mayor/Councillor Yarrabah Shire Council
• Spirit of JCU Award – recognises alumni living or working predominantly (more than 50% of the time) in remote or very remote locations across Australia or comparable demographics internationally.
  Dr Nalisa Neuendorf, Research Fellow, Social Science Lead Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research
• Trailblazer Award – recognises alumni who are forward-thinking leaders, innovators or entrepreneurs in their industry, profession, field of research or area of expertise
  Ms Tamara Loehr, Entrepreneur, CEO, Co-Founder, Impact Investor, Mentor