UniSA Alumni
UniSA alumni are achieving great success in a range of areas and it is rewarding to hear their stories.
Through the following profiles we would like to share with you some of these experiences.
If you have a success story that you would like to share please contact the Alumni office.
Bachelor of Management, 1998, UniSA
Country Business Manager for Nestlé UK and Ireland - Jenny Craig UK
A successful business manager for leading global consumer goods brand Nestlé, Nikki Adamo, began her career in the fashion industry before gaining a Bachelor of Management at UniSA in 1998.
"The degree kick-started an entirely new career path for me after having returned to university as a mature aged student at 27 years old. My high academic performance at university enabled me to get my first role in FMCG against a number of strong candidates," said Nikki, who began her fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) career with Dairy Vale in South Australia as an Assistant Brand Manager.
Nikki then moved to the Australian Dairy Corporation (now Dairy Australia) in Melbourne, working her way up to Marketing Manager, before joining Nestlé Australia as Marketing Manager of their Dairy business in 2004. She held various senior marketing roles with the company, including stints in France and Switzerland.
"In June 2011 I was promoted to Country Business Manager (Managing Director) of Nestlé-Jenny Craig UK which is a start-up business within the UK," said Nikki, who recalled some great advice that has helped her succeed in her career.
"When moving into a new business or role, quickly identify the business problem you're trying to resolve. Do this by talking with your customers first and then your employees. You'll be amazed at how quickly you'll discover the truth about your business."
'Never underestimate the competition' is a stand-out lesson that Nikki recalled.
"I once worked for a company where we challenged a competitor on a 'passing off' claim. We completely underestimated their reaction and became caught up in a very long, time consuming, drawn out battle that became a key focus in the public media. I learnt that you always must anticipate competitor reactions and build contingency plans accordingly."
To achieve work-life balance Nikki makes time to switch off from her job every day, even for a few minutes.
"I always try to get out of the office for a few minutes every day - even if it is simply for a walk around the block. It allows me to clear my head and get a bit of sun on my face - which is a challenge living in London!" said Nikki, who also tries not to work on weekends.
"I do try to exercise every weekend (walking, yoga, running). I also have a wonderful husband who is a bit of a 'foodie' and cooks dinner for us almost every night. Having dinner together is something we cherish and we never compromise on this."
"I have a 'no meetings on Fridays policy.' It allows my team and I to have a day where we think rather than do!"
Nikki's advice to new graduates embarking upon a business career is to seek a mentor early on in their career to advise them and help guide choices.
"Also, always take the opportunity to learn things that take you out of your comfort zone, that stretch you and force you to think differently. The more you do this and the earlier you do it in your career, the better placed you are for future roles - flexibility, agility, mental toughness in corporate life are keys to success."
In the future Nikki hopes to be able to return to Australia as Managing Director of Nestlé's Australian business, but her eyes are ultimately on the top job.
"After this, I'd love to work my way up to becoming a Market Head or CEO!"
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), UniSA, 2008
Bachelor of Applied Science(Human Movement), UniSA, 2003
Early Childhood Teacher, Kalaya Children's Centre, Queenstown SA
Casey Bell's decision to enter teaching ahead of her second option, pharmacy, has been a bonus for the children in her care at Kalaya Children's Centre, an Aboriginal focussed education centre located in the western suburbs of Adelaide.
Casey's professional dedication and passion for teaching was recognised when she was named Inspirational Preschool Teacher of the Year at the 2011 SA Public Teaching Awards recently. Her award recognised the positive contribution she has made to the community where she has focused on building relationships with each of the children's families and caregivers, and developed an individual learning plan for every child.
Casey studied Human Movement and Early Childhood Education at the University of South Australia, a choice which she made thanks to the advice of her mother.
"About 6 years ago I had to decide whether I would start a teaching degree in South Australia or move interstate to start a pharmacy degree. I was really confused and thought about how my decision would impact on my life in terms of my career, friends, sports and families. I spoke to my Mum about it and she told me not to put so much stress into thinking about the unknown but to make a decision and stick to it and if it didn't work out then make changes so that it would work out. I think this is the best thing anyone ever told me and I apply it to everything I do."
"I have always loved spending time with children and find them so entertaining,"said Casey, who taught at Saint Peter's Boys Early Learning Centre and then in Darwin for 6 months prior to working at Kalaya.
Casey has found that working with the individual and changing needs of young children has taught her a valuable life lesson: that patience is a virtue, especially when working with children.
"It's a lesson I learnt on my very first day in teaching. Allowing children to have their own time is the difference between a stressful day and watching the most amazing things happen."
Casey offers some wise advice for new graduates about the art of listening.
"Truly listen to what people in your field have to say, even if it goes against what you believe, because it is only through listening and experience that you will develop your bank of knowledge. Regardless of the challenges or success you achieve, always remember why you chose to enter that profession."
Casey's secret to work-life balance is to participate in organized sports. A keen hockey player, she has recently taken up softball and doing triathlons.
"I am able to work hard in my job and know that I have team mates with whom I can keep fit and socialize. I also think it's really important to not take work related incidents personally, as that seems to be when work and home life collide."
Mastering the art of play is another must-do when working with young children. Next year, Casey is planning a trip to Bhutan, the tiny country famous for its 'Gross National Happiness' measures. She will attend the 32nd Annual Seminar of the International Society for Teacher Education.
"This will be a forum where teacher educators and those with an interest in teacher training and development meet as professionals and discuss their work. We will discuss Gross National Happiness through Early Childhood Education. Following the conference I will stay on and assist in running a workshop to help Bhutanese educators familiarize themselves with the importance of play and the skills to develop a play based curriculum."
UniSA Bachelor of Arts (Journalism), UniSA, 2006
Reporter, Channel 9, South Australia
Channel 9 reporter, Selga Berzins won the Best TV News Report category in the recent SA Media Awards, joining an impressive line up of six UniSA journalism graduates who were among the winners.
Selga graduated UniSA Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) in 2006, had her first break during her final semester when she landed a job with Southern Cross News in Port Pirie as a video journalist and news presenter.
This experience was as one of the highlights of her career so far, teaching her the valuable skills of time management and organisation.
"The job was full-on to say the least! Every day I was responsible for finding two stories, conducting and filming the interviews and writing the scripts. I'd then edit both stories on my computer and have it all done by the 4pm deadline. Next, I'd race off and do my make up before presenting the news bulletin!" said Selga.
Two years later she was offered a job with Channel 9 news team, working on the police round for two more years before moving into her current role as court reporter. Content with the challenges this role brings, Selga nevertheless would love an opportunity to cover the London Olympics next year.
It is difficult to achieve work-life balance because journalism is not a Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 industry.
"The trick is, to enjoy the time off when you get it, no matter what day of the week it is. I find getting enough sleep is important, because you never know how long your working day might end up being. Having a holiday to look forward to also helps!" said Selga.
Selga believes that budding reporters need to start from the bottom and work their way up the ladder, to get to know the people in their industry and be prepared to give 110 percent at whatever they do.
What is her number one piece of advice to graduates starting out in journalism?
"Work in the country! It might sound daunting at first, but it's such a wonderful starting ground for reporters. You learn about your capabilities and develop fundamental skills that are necessary in metro-jobs."
"And never be afraid to ask questions - especially if you're thinking of being a journalist!"
Other SA Media award winners
Five other UniSA journalism alumni featured in the 2011 SA Media
Awards announced in May: Best Young Journalist, Tom Hicks, Channel 9
South Australia; Best TV Current Affairs or Feature, Brett Clappis,
Network Ten Adelaide; Best Community Journalist, Michelle Etheridge,
Messenger Community News; Best Rural/Regional Journalist,
Clare
Rawlinson, until recently with The Border Watch in
Mt Gambier; Julie Duncan
Memorial Award for Student Journalism, to John Stokes
(Silver Award), who graduated this year.
Master of Business Administration, University of South Australia, 2011
Director, 2ak Advertising
Now a director of his own marketing and advertising agency, Kane Blackman's undergraduate qualifications included environmental studies, risk management and French, which led him initially into research and museums, until one of his university contacts alerted him to an opportunity in the resource consulting sector.
Over the next few years he worked with consulting groups Enesar and Coffey, undertaking environmental and social impact assessments for the mining and oil and gas industries throughout Australia and Papua New Guinea.
'The experience in the jungles and coastlines of Papua New Guinea with large international resource companies helped me understand what creating value meant. By using my skill-set to provide rigour to the impact assessment and ultimate approval process, I was able to ensure that resource development occurred sustainably and ensured critical economic development of the nearby regions,' said Kane.
Prompted by the thirst to own a project and effect tangible change, Kane headed west during the mining boom to take up a series of management positions with an international miner, eventually culminating in a General Manager Operations role. During this time he completed an MBA by correspondence with the University of South Australia.
'The exposure to the MBA significantly increased my options for future employment, and I moved east to Sydney, to commence working with an international investment company with interests in the global resource industry,' said Kane.
In 2010 he partnered with Adam Grootveld, a respected marketing professional from Western Australia, to open 2ak Advertising.
'Since that time, we have gone from strength to strength, working with clients to deliver value by building their brands, through offering dynamic marketing and advertising services. It has been onward and up since then!'
Apart from the need to possess determination and drive, the keys to success for Kane are investing in your own personal and professional development.
'For this, education (both class-room and real life) is the greatest tool. Believe in yourself and don't give up,' said Kane.
For many successful professionals achieving work-life balance is a challenge, and Kane is no different.
'These days we are so information and opportunity rich, that we must filter and ensure we devote appropriate time and attention to the things that really matter. Family is the most important thing, as your work colleagues, competitors, suppliers and customers are unlikely to be at your funeral. My fiancée helps keep me balanced and steps in when I take on too much.'
Kane is a walking example of embracing change and not sitting still, advice he gives to new graduates.
'Be a generalist, be open to new possibilities and be ready. When opportunities come knocking, they don't always go to those who deserve them, they go to those that are best dressed and ready to go.'
Bachelor of Visual Arts (Drawing), UniSA, 2010.
Artist.
Emerging South Australian artist Kim Buck recently won a $10,000 Australia Council ArtStart Grant to help her establish her arts practice.
Kim, who graduated from UniSA with a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Drawing) in 2010, is not letting the grass grow under her feet. After winning the $5,000 Limestone Coast Art Prize in 2011 she mounted a sell-out exhibition at the Michael Reid Gallery in Sydney and undertook a two week arts residency at her former secondary school, Wilderness.
Visual artists starting out can find it hard to build a public profile and market their work to art galleries. It's also hard to gain the business skills to maintain their arts practice. Kim's advice is get to know the gallery scene, as first hand knowledge she gained during her three years working at Adelaide's Peter Walker Gallery was invaluable.
The ArtStart grant is designed to help artists build a sustainable professional practice and is awarded to those who can demonstrate a well articulated long term plan. Kim is looking to the future and is focussing her grant expenditure on further developing her skills in financial planning and publicity, as well as printmaking and photography, so that she can generate an alternative income stream from her exhibition work.
Kim's advice to budding artists is to be organised and take advantage of the range of opportunities available.
"Be willing to talk to people. You need commitment to maintain discipline for the first couple of years until you get your name established," she says.
"You don't get a break, but it's by working at your practice like this that you'll know that you can make it as an artist."
More information about ArtStart grants and other opportunities for emerging artists are on the
Australia Council website.
Bachelor of Business Administration, University of South Australia, 2004
Claims Manager, MOVA Automotive Pte Ltd, Singapore
Daniel (Boon Hee) Chong obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration from University of South Australia's Singapore offshore program in 2004 and works for one of Singapore's largest automotive service companies.
"Obtaining a business degree has given me a head start in my career. Not only do I have the hands on experience, but the business and management skills allow me to have the much needed softer skills to attend to customers."
"I started off as a service advisor with a local automotive company then took on the position of operations executive at Honda ICVS Pte Ltd, a car sharing/rental company. It was great organisation with a friendly, close-knit staff. My superiors were patient and understanding and gave me lots of room for trial and error. I could not have asked for more."
When the company ceased operations, Daniel found a position in the insurance industry. He knew that he wanted to return to the automotive industry some day. His big break came when a friend introduced him to Mova Automotive, a Singapore-based automotive service company founded in 1986, which offers vehicle sales and service, leasing, rental and insurance. He began there in May 2011 as Claims Manager, and he has not looked back since.
Daniel cites managing people as one of his career highlights.
"Most often I hear people say managing staff is the most difficult. I beg to differ. In fact, my greatest satisfaction is when I see my staff excel in their own area of work."
"The first and most important lesson I learnt was to be humble and treat people with heart," says Daniel who advocates a positive, empathetic approach to management.
"Before my arrival, staff morale was low," says Daniel who has focussed on motivating his team.
"I proudly wear the same MOVA Automotive uniform as them and willingly get my hands dirty in dealing with daily issues."
Daniel's ambition is to be well recognized in the automotive industry and to be financially independent by age 55. He hopes to be promoted to a very senior rank within the organisation one day.
MBA (Human Resource Management) UniSA, 2011.
Extracurricular Program Manager, Marymount International School of Rome
A working holiday in Italy turned out to be a great career move for Australian-born Laura Cotrone who undertook an MBA at University of South Australia while living in Rome.
Laura grew up in Melbourne and has a BA in Social Sciences with a major in Legal Studies from La Trobe University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Criminology from The University of Melbourne.
"I started teaching English when I first arrived in Italy in 2005, as it was the only available option to me in order to start working quickly."
Inspired by her former Head of School, Laura decided to undertake an MBA in 2008 which she completed in 2010.
"I strongly believe in professional development and believe that we never stop learning," said Laura who is now Extracurricular Program Manager and an international school in Rome.
"Whilst studying my MBA I had the challenging experience of being a business strategy and development consultant for a new international school of which I then became Managing Director. I assisted the school in reaching its goal in increasing enrolments and being financially stable."
In her current role she is responsible for the development and running of the extracurricular program and its strategic functions such as business planning, marketing, recruitment and selection.
"My MBA has allowed me to strengthen my managerial knowledge and skills that, combined with more recent working experiences relating to education management, has made me more confident in handling a management position. It has also given me the opportunity of putting into practice all the strategic and managerial functions of a complex organisation such as an educational institution."
"I would say that the best piece of advice I have received is to always give yourself up to the challenge and to never look back," said Laura.
Laura credits her strong organisational and time management skills with helping her to achieve work-life balance.
"I consider myself to be a very determined person, which I think also helps. At one point in my life I was juggling work, everyday life, studying, wedding planning and post-operation recovery. This was a very stressful time but I got through it."
This year Laura is looking to return to Australia and continue working in education management.
"I believe Education is important in today's world and I would like to make my contribution to this ever changing environment. I would also like to complete a Diploma in Children's Services in order to be able to work in the early childhood sector."
"I strongly believe in the Australian Early Years Learning Framework of Being, Belonging and Becoming and would like to contribute in carrying out this mission," said Laura, who hopes to one day open her own early childhood centre.
Bachelor of Applied Science (Recreation Planning &
Management)
UniSA, 2004.
Customer Education & Sponsorship Specialist.
Working for HomeStart Finance, Ruth Daugalis feels fortunate to be part of an organisation whose strong social responsibility complements her own values. Ruth finds the opportunity to provide affordable finance making home ownership possible, personally fulfilling.
"We assist people with barriers to home ownership," Ruth says.
As the Customer Education & Sponsorship Specialist at HomeStart Finance, Ruth's role helps to give back to South Australia by offering sponsorships that provide assistance to local community groups.
"It's great to know that we're part of something bigger," she says.
Kim's advice to budding artists is to be organised and take advantage of the range of opportunities available.
Ruth didn't take the traditional route to university after school, instead she came back to it later in life when she had more confidence and appreciation of the learning experience. She completed her Bachelor of Applied Science (Recreation and Management) at UniSA in 2004.
After graduating, Ruth worked in various event and project management roles including Sponsorship Coordinator for the Adelaide Fringe, Events Manager at Le Cordon Bleu as well as part of the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program.
However, it is her work at HomeStart that makes her feel most fulfilled professionally and personally, with the company allowing her to take time off to volunteer with Operation Flinders.
As Assistant Team Leader for Operation Flinders, Ruth took young people at risk on a wilderness adventure program through the Flinders Ranges. For an eight day period, 14 to 18 year olds were given orienteering and team work exercises to teach them the values of respect, authority and team work. Operation Flinders offers a chance for the participants to break away from their past and to become valued members of the community.
"It gave them confidence and a sense of pride in what they were doing. It gave them a goal and a purpose."
Ruth hopes to have the opportunity to continue volunteering with Operation Flinders and says with a smile on her face, "This is going to sound incredibly corny but is completely true - I genuinely thought I got as much out of the experience as the kids did."
Diploma of Teaching, Primary, Torrens College of Advanced
Education, 1975
Advanced Diploma of Teaching in Aboriginal Studies, Torrens
College of Advanced Education, 1976
Dip in Design Ceramics, Adelaide College of Advanced Education,
1980
Graduate Dip in Arts Administration, SA Institute of Technology,
1988
Master of Architecture (Research), UniSA, 2005.
Co-director, Fifth Creek Studio
Christine Goodwin and Graeme Hopkins are founders of Fifth Creek Studio, a small Adelaide Hills based design practice that has received national and state awards in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and heritage.
The pair has recently published their first book, Living Architecture: Green roofs and walls, a guide to the most exciting green roof and living wall projects in Australia and New Zealand, and how such projects contribute to sustainable cities.
The book was inspired by research into living structures that Christine began in Japan, Singapore and Malaysia when she accompanied Graeme on part of his Churchill Fellowship tour in 2006. This led to the couple's focus on living architecture.
"My pathway has meandered rather than taking a single direction," said Christine, whose studies span a diverse range of disciplines, including primary teacher training, Aboriginal studies, ceramic design, arts administration, and a research masters in architecture focusing on landscape art in rural Australia.
Christine's career likewise spans a diversity of roles, from washing dishes and stacking supermarket shelves, to working as a public artist, relief teacher and ceramics teacher, as well as a stint as assistant director of the Experimental Art Foundation.
In the 1980s Christine met and teamed up with architect and landscape architect, Graeme Hopkins, and they lived in Canberra and later in Coffs Harbour, where they established their wholesale nursery, Bonville Tree Farm, to supply their landscape projects.
"We designed and constructed major landscape projects, expanded our architectural practice, and developed expertise in working with rural communities and in the integration of public art into the urban form," said Christine.
"In 1996 we relocated to an 1861 church in the Adelaide Hills, where we established Fifth Creek Studio, a multi-disciplinary practice with an initial focus on rural communities, including Mannum, Loxton, Berri, Barmera, Penneshaw, Mount Gambier, Beachport, Port Lincoln, Two Wells, Mallala and Port Germein, to name a few!"
Christine has also served two stints as manager of Public Art and Design at Arts SA, firstly in 1998-9 and again in 2009.
Achieving work-life balance may seem easy when you live next door to your workplace, but Christine found that work can tend to dominate, and she developed other activities, including track and road running.
"My greatest achievement so far is probably the gold medal for the women's 50-54 age group 5km track race at the World Masters Games in Edmonton, Canada in 2005."
Fifth Creek Studio is currently involved in three of the Premier's Building Innovation Fund projects with Woods Bagot and Aspen Developments to develop and monitor a hybrid living wall system suitable for high rise buildings in Adelaide's climate, and to monitor various green roof systems on top of a 21 storey city building.
"In 12 months' time we hope to use the collected data to develop new living architecture projects. We are also planning our next book," said Christine, adding that they are building an extension to their studio with a green roof to match the slope of the church roof.
Christine has learnt to make the most of her many roles in a diverse career and she advises graduates beginning their working lives to value even the most humble of experiences.
"Be strategic in working towards what you really want to do, but at the same time take every opportunity to work in any capacity and learn something from every experience. Even washing dishes or stacking supermarket shelves can be instructive."
Living Architecture: Green roofs and walls, Graeme Hopkins and Christine Goodwin, Fifth Creek Studio, CSIRO Publishing, 2011,
Bachelor of Marketing and Communication, University of South Australia, 2012
Graduate Officer, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Adelaide
Armed with a Marketing and Communication degree Terri Harding stepped into a graduate program at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, a unique way of experiencing the different aspects of the bank's business by rotating through roles every six weeks.
"Starting a brand new job every six weeks is rewarding, exciting and very busy! I have a one-on-one mentor within each area, teaching me the function of the department, the processes that the team are responsible for, and how to complete those processes. My performance is reviewed in each department, which keeps me motivated to do my best work. I aim to gain as much knowledge and as many skills as possible in the short periods of time."
After less than three months into the program, Terri is still completing her induction, yet she is already gaining a lot from the expereince.
"Going from a Marketing degree into a position in finance has been challenging. My main achievements so far have been my grasp on new concepts and understanding the banking and financial world. I have also received very positive feedback from my first rotation, which was rewarding as I worked hard to learn concepts and work in an environment that was very new to me. Being in close contact with senior level colleagues has been valuable, in terms of learning from successful industry professionals. Not many programs offer that level of transparency, so I feel lucky to have that exposure."
The University of South Australia's reputation for business courses led Terri to choose the Bachelor of Marketing and Communication.
"Being awarded the Ehrenberg Scholarship for Marketing in my first year of study was very valuable, as it was both an opportunity at University, but also helped me to stand out from other applicants when applying for the Graduate program."
After completing her two year graduate program, Terri is looking to pursue a career in Bendigo and Adelaide Bank's Marketing Department, or in a role that allows her to utilise her creative and communication skills.
The graduate program provides a unique way of learning and one which Terri believes will help her develop professionally in a way that a regular position in an organisation simply could not offer.
"I consider myself very lucky to be working in a role with a primary focus on my learning. The ability to work in almost all areas of the bank is very unique, and I would certainly recommend the program to potential applicants," says Terri.
"My piece of advice to new graduates is to apply for everything, and to seize every opportunity available. I didn't think I would be successful (as a Marketing major) in my application to a bank's graduate program, but here I am! Don't be worried to try something new, particularly in a graduate program, because the entire point is to learn from professionals, and develop your own skills through on-the-job training."
Bachelor of Management (Labour Relations), UniSA, 1999
Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety Management,
UniSA, April 1999
Diploma in Business (Human Resource Management/Industrial Relations), UniSA, April 1999
Global Director for Environment, Health and Safety, Electrolux Home Products Australia
A lecturer in the final year of her management course at UniSA advised Theressa Hines to continue studying towards a career in occupational health and safety (OHS), and she hasn't looked back since.
Theressa, who is Global Director for Environment, Health and Safety for the Adelaide-based home appliance giant Electrolux, won the Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award in the 2011 Telstra South Australian Business Women's Awards.
"I will attend the National Telstra Awards on November 18th in my category. Irrespective of whether I win or not, it is amazing to meet really astute business women and to network," she said.
She began her career working for consumer goods company, Goodman and Fielder, in Far North Queensland with responsibilities including training, occupational health and safety and rehabilitation. In 2000 she worked at the Olympic Dam Mine at Roxby Downs in South Australia, then owned by Western Mining Corporation. She was responsible for industrial relations and in her four years with the company she helped to significantly reduce labour turnover.
Theressa has worked at Electrolux since 2005, first as Asia Pacific Manager Human Resources. In 2010 she took on her current role as Global Director for Environment, Health and Safety, giving her responsibility for the safety of 45,000 employees at 32 manufacturing plants around the world. In that time she has driven a 30 per cent reduction in injuries across the organisation.
Theressa describes a defining moment that set her on her career path.
"Having left high school prior to completing, some years later when all my previous high school classmates were graduating from University, I realised that I had made a significant mistake and needed to revisit my education goals," she said, which led her to study at UniSA as a mature aged student.
Theressa finds achieving work-life balance is a matter of juggling her busy work and travel schedule to fit in with her family responsibilities.
"I am married and have two children. Due to the time zone differences (US, Latin America, Europe) I often work afternoon and nights, which allows me time during the day to be mum, taking my three year old on dates to the play ground etc. It is a balancing act and I long ago gave up trying to be perfect."
"My family have travelled with me to China which was something they loved," said Theressa, who loves escaping on regular family camping trips anywhere out of phone range.
Theressa's other interests include membership of the SA Occupational Health and Safety Board for the Australian Industry Group and she also sits on the State Government's Industrial Advisory Committee. In future she hopes to further develop her consultancy firm.
"I am executive Director of EGSGlobal, an occupational health and safety and human resources consultancy firm focusing on supporting organisations achieve best practice performance and business excellence. We are working on developing our brand in the market place and building our client base further. We have only chosen the highest calibre staff so our product offerings are first rate."
Theressa advises graduates just starting their professional career to grab every opportunity that comes their way.
"First, talk to the business in their language. I talk to the company in terms of injuries and what they cost. They understand much better 5 million dollars then 150 injuries."
"Second, demonstrate where you value add, both to yourself and the company. Eliminate where you do not value add."
"Third, take control of your career, drive and manage it. Do not leave this responsibility to another. Only you have your best interests at the forefront."
"Fourth, network, network, network."
"Finally, take every opportunity during university and prior to securing employment to build work experience in your preferred field. This experience can turn out to be the defining selection between yourself and another candidate, for that dream job! "
International Masters of Business Administration (MBA), University of South Australia, 2001
Vincent Ho is a Singapore-born training and business consultant with more than 21 years experience in Asia and London, including more than 11 years in Greater China.
Now based in China, Vincent travels extensively throughout China as an independent consultant affiliated to various training/ management consultancy firms in several Chinese cities. He conducts management workshops, seminars, in-house training and pubic seminars across a wide range of industries.
He has worked as Chief Consulting Officer for the Hong Kong public-listed Dong Jian Group in China, and as Senior Sales Manager, for the Singapore-invested TeeYihJia (Fujian) Brewery Co Ltd in China. His experience also includes 11 years at Singapore Telecom, where he was Sales Training Manager.
Vincent studied his International MBA at UniSA in Singapore while travelling extensively in Asia at the same time studying for a postgraduate Diploma of Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in the United Kingdom.
"My UniSA MBA classes helped broaden and deepen my 'management' views with theory, lectures, group discussions, class activities, and the action learning project. They also strengthened my analytical and presentation skills."
"The best piece of advice I ever received was from my late grandmother, who said 'Believe in yourself. The dragon that crosses the river is a powerful dragon'. Although she did not have education she had a high IQ and was also emotionally intelligent."
Vincent's secret to achieving work-life balance is a question of attitude, but it's easier said than done - and he has done it.
"If we try hard enough, we get nearer to our goals even if we may fall short a little sometimes. I accept fewer projects now so as to spend more quality time with my family,"said Vincent, who opts for projects with a higher return, both economically and emotionally.
Vincent's advice to graduates just starting their professional career is to seize the day, set your goals and take action now.
"Go to your favourite cafe, buy your favourite beverage and cake, sit at your favourite table and take a pen and piece of paper. Do your current 'Personal S.W.O.T. Analysis' and plan your career path using S.M.A.R.T. Goals and Specific Actions."
Master of Health Science (Occupational Therapy), UniSA, 1997
Professor of Occupational Therapy, Auckland University of Technology
Clare Hocking is returning to her home town of Adelaide to launch a book she has just published with fellow University of South Australia alumnus, Professor Gail Whiteford, Pro-Vice Chancellor at Macquarie University.
Occupational Science: Society, Inclusion, Participation is a world first - bringing a critical eye to the development and direction of occupational science.
Clare graduated from the University of South Australia with a Master of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) and enrolled in a PhD program at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), graduating in 2004.
'My UniSA Masters was my introduction to occupational science. What I learned, and more importantly, the guidance I received from the lecturer, Ann Wilcock, has framed all my professional activities from that point. Most influential was being appointed editor of the journal she established at UniSA, the Journal of Occupational Science. Being editor has opened doors to meeting people I would not have met as just a lecturer in occupational therapy from New Zealand.'
'Being promoted to Professor was a career highlight, but more significant are the contributions I have made to helping my academic colleagues achieve higher qualifications and co-authoring the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Minimum Standards for the Education of Occupational Therapists, which sets the standard for every occupational therapy curriculum internationally.'
'I'm coming to Adelaide to work on another book, the next edition of Ann Wilcock's Occupational Perspective of Health. Being asked to join Ann in writing this book is like winning the lottery - about as good as it gets in an academic career.'
Clare's advice to new graduates starting their professional careers is one that holds true for academics and professionals alike.
'Join the people who have big ideas, and work hard to keep up. The rewards can be amazing!'
Bachelor of Visual Arts, UniSA, 1995
Practising artist and primary teacher
Janicke Johansen has been creating art her whole life and her persistence is paying off, with a successful exhibition in the 2012 Adelaide Fringe.
After teaching for many years she decided to her art her full time career, supplementing her income with part-time work as a primary teacher.
She was born and spent her first three years in Norway before the family moved back to her mother's home town of Adelaide.
After finishing school she studied graphic design and interior decoration and design before completing a Bachelor of Visual Arts at UniSA, majoring in Film and Printmaking, in 1995.
Janicke says that her degree gave her a foundation in theoretical knowledge to understand and appreciate art as well as skills to further develop her painting practice.
She moved to Melbourne in 2007 and has since exhibited in several group and solo exhibitions in Victoria, with the Ringwood Art Society and others. Her latest exhibition, Mind Maps, is showing at the Tin Cat Cafe in Kent Town as part of the 2012 Adelaide Fringe.
"Putting on Mind Maps, where I sold 10 paintings on the opening night, is one of the highlights of my career, along with winning first prize in the abstract section at the Birregurra Art Show in 2011," said Janicke.
Janicke's work is interpretive and modern combining textures, patterns and colours to create responses to her environment and memory.
"I am passionate about my art and the environment and my ambition is to continue to limit further environmental impact and to pass on this message to current and future artists," said Janicke, who wants to organise solo shows in Melbourne and Sydney this year.
Her advice to new graduates is to focus on the positive.
"Don't under estimate the power of negative thoughts, even those from well meaning people trying to ground you. Surround yourself with people who see the positive within your ideas and follow your dreams."
Graduate Diploma of Business Administration, UniSA, 1990.
Master of Business (Research), UniSA, 1997.
Chief Psychologist, South Australia Police.
Doug Knuckey OAM was recognised in the 2011 Australia Day Honours list for his work with the Operation Flinders Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that provides wilderness adventure programs for young offenders and young people at risk.
The program takes young people aged between 14 and 18 years on a 100km walk in the far northern Flinders Ranges of South Australia, teaching them survival skills and helping them to learn to trust and believe in themselves. Doug joined the Foundation as a volunteer and bush survival skill instructor in 1996 and has been part of the team ever since.
Doug, who is the Chief Psychologist with the South Australia Police, is a pioneer in the field of police psychology. He returned to study as a mature age student in the 1990s, undertaking a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration at the then South Australian Institute of Technology (which was to later become UniSA). He then undertook a Master of Business by Research, graduating in 1997. He recalls the challenges of juggling study and full time work.
"The pleasure of interacting with like, and some very unlike minds, was only marred by the fact that all my studies were therefore outside normal business hours, resulting in long, tiring days. Very challenging in itself."
He has been struck by the attention he has received from police colleagues about the award.
"I have had reinforced what effect one's work can have on others. I have always believed that I was making a difference, but this has underlined that and brought it home in the strongest possible manner. It is almost like hearing one's own eulogy. It is very, very humbling.".
Doug is nearing the end of his professional career but when he retires he would like to volunteer full time at Operation Flinders.
His advice to new graduates embarking on their careers is consistent with that of someone who has obviously gained much fulfilment from both professional life and community service.
"Devote energy to achieving a work-life balance but seek a career that ignites passion!"
PhD Social Science (Communication and Information Studies), UniSA, 2004
Bachelor of Arts (Honours), UniSA, 2001
Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies), UniSA, 1999
Writer, academic and researcher
Dr Lisa McDonald is an Adelaide-based interdisciplinary researcher and writer whose work spans the seemingly disparate disciplines of the humanities and the biological sciences.
With a background covering small business, photo arts and digital media production, Lisa began university studies later than many, undertaking an Arts degree before embarking on a PhD in Cultural Studies.
"The most creatively enriching pathways are unpredictable and often uneven. I came to university in my early thirties to study communications and filmmaking, with the intention of building on prior experience in the creative arts and small business to form my own media production company. During graduate studies I was asked to take some cultural studies classes and discovered that I actually enjoyed teaching," said Lisa.
Over the last decade Lisa has worked as an academic and postdoctoral researcher, including at the University of South Australia.
Lisa's doctoral thesis explored a range of contemporary scientific, philosophical and social debates surrounding new reproductive technologies and fertility. When one of her examiners recommended that Lisa publish her thesis she embraced a writing career. Her first book, Figuring Fertility: Poetics in the Cultural Practices of Reproductive Science, was published this year.
"The book continues the often difficult, if productive, dialogue between the humanities and the biological sciences, which is my main focus of research now," said Lisa.
"I find the different and varied ways of approaching a language for human bodies endlessly interesting because of how unattainable agreed languages actually are, so it seems I am inspired by the productive nature of disconnections."
Lisa currently runs a consultancy focusing on language education for overseas students and makes time for her main focus, writing. She is working on another book which she aims to publish in the next couple of years.
The best piece of advice she has received was in relation to her intellectual endeavours.
"Apart from 'drink plenty of water', in an academic context it has to be 'start with the literature'. This is good advice if you're producing scholarly writing, as well as a way to show how important intellectual dialogues are to progressing our societies. Ideas are crucial to the way we live, so being open to the thoughts of others can show us the shape of our own and open them up to review. Fortunately, one can drink water and think at the same time, which is a relief, really."
When asked if she had any advice to pass on to graduates commencing their professional lives, Lisa observed that the idea of 'taking charge of one's own direction' almost seems a cliché, but one that would resonate for graduates in the era of 'flexible employment'.
"Being open to change is really important, and working on innovative and sustaining professional relationships equally so."
Lisa McDonald's book Figuring Fertility: Poetics in the Cultural Practices of Reproductive Science is published by Post Pressed, Mount Gravatt, Qld, and available as paperback and e-book.
Bachelor of Nursing, University of South Australia, 2006
Teacher and nurse
Cynthia Mchawala, a registered teacher approaching retirement age, decided to fulfil a lifelong dream by undertaking a Bachelor of Nursing. Hers is an inspiring story of how experience, new skills and determination can achieve change. Married to a Tanzanian, Cynthia had travelled and worked in the country on a number of occasions.
"I had always wanted to be a nurse and volunteer overseas. So at age 64 I enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing degree at UniSA while still working there part-time. After completing the graduate nursing programme in South Australia I left in mid-2007 for Tanzania."
Her life took another major turn when she visited Masasi, a remote southern township close to the Mozambique border, and came across a small 50-bed non-profit hospital founded by Dr Mwambe, whom she learned had recently died.
"My interest was sparked, and after making contact with the doctor's family, was invited to become the 'matron' there. While being a 'matron' was in the realm of neither my expertise nor my experience, I finally arranged to go and work there as a volunteer in 2010 - the year I turned 72."
The hospital was suffering from neglect, a serious lack of trained personnel, medications, medical equipment and/or replacements, and funds with which to pay staff.
"I really had no idea what I was getting into. To begin with, despite my protestations, I was introduced as the 'matron' come to set the place on its feet again. I didn't have any idea, and was very conscious of being a white, Swahili-deficient, pretty unsure, and very inexperienced nurse. While I understood that, whatever my role, I needed to go slowly, I simply had no idea where to start, and no one was available to tell me," said Cynthia.
"The nursing staff were under-trained, under-resourced, under-paid, under-encouraged, and had no clear job description," said Cynthia, adding that there were so many vitally important matters demanding attention, including the most basic, a reliable source of running water and infection control.
About three weeks into her stay she decided to purchase a couch with a mosquito net for the night nurse. This simple action helped to gain the confidence of staff and was the impetus for her to embark on major changes at the hospital.
When recovering from a bout of malaria in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam, Cynthia was able to use the funds donated by friends in Australia to purchase much-needed medical items and supplies, including new bedding for the hospital.
"It became an exciting time - clearing, cleaning, renovating and re-organising - with carte blanche to do it all. A major boon was arranging for running water (as available) in both the dressing room and nurses' bay, as well as being able to set up a functioning pharmacy," said Cynthia, who believes that these material changes together with the modelling of nursing care she was able to provide helped to develop a sense of professionalism amongst the nursing staff."
Cynthia is hoping to raise enough funds to return to Tanzania in 2012 to continue her work.
"My hope now is to try and raise enough money to have at least 3 of the nurses seconded for some extra training. With support this Centre could play an important role in teaching and modelling reliable health care for the very real medical deficits in this little township."
Master of Business Administration, UniSA. 1997
Chair, Cancer Voices SA
Ashleigh Moore has twice survived cancer. He was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in January 2012 for services to the community through Cancer Voices SA, an organisation founded to help give a voice to people affected by cancer.
Ashleigh's professional background spans over 30 years and ranges from analytical chemistry and environmental protection in locations across the country, to experiential team building and organisational development consultancies. His career culminated in a five-year term as a Director at SafeWork SA responsible for South Australia's Occupational Health and Safety and Industrial Relations.
He completed his MBA at UniSA in 1997. He also holds tertiary qualifications in the areas of Science, Safety, Quality, Management and Business, and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management (FAIM). Although Ashleigh's MBA degree provided critical skills in management, strategy and business it proved to have benefit far beyond the workplace.
Ashleigh, a father of a young family, has survived two bouts of advanced cancer, Stage 4 head and neck cancer in 2005 and Stage 3 lung cancer in 2010. After treatment for the first bout of cancer he retired from paid work and became the founding chair of Cancer Voices SA, and began a new chapter of his life as a volunteer survivor leading a grassroots advocacy organisation 'raising a voice for those affected by cancer'.
He holds advisory positions on peak bodies that include the SA Health Minister's Complaints Advisory Council, Cancer Voices Australia, Cancer Australia and the SA Cancer Clinical Network. In these positions Ashleigh takes on his most rewarding challenges as an advocate, sharing his experiences and knowledge as a cancer survivor and patient in pursuit of world's best cancer treatment and care for other Australians affected by this insidious disease.
Ashleigh's experiences have proved to him that nothing in life is certain and that everyone needs to make the most of the cards they are dealt. An MBA degree provides the strong foundation to cope with many of life's challenges and achieve success, whether it is progression in the corporate world or taking 'the road less travelled'.
B Bus (Administrative Management), UniSA, 1992
Director, Innovation, World Vision Australia and World Vision New Zealand
A year studying in Africa in his 20s made a lasting impression on marketing strategist, David Paterson, ultimately leading to a career transformation from corporate life to working with the world's largest international aid and development NGO.
His community activities include serving on the board of YMCA Victoria, on the Marketing Industry Advisory Board of Monash University and a co-founder of The Bridge Project, a ground-breaking community initiative that has reduced juvenile criminal re-offending rates from over 60% down to just 3%.
In 2007 he joined World Vision, the world's largest international aid and development NGO, serving more than 100 million people each year across more than 70 countries.
David's switch from corporate life to World Vision was influenced by a stint in Africa in his early 20s, where he spent 12 months living and studying. This experience remained with him through all the years of establishing a career and raising a young family.
"It was a brilliant experience and one that left a lasting impression on me. As they say, despite all its challenges, Africa does 'get under your skin'," said David.
In 2005 he was invited to do the Williamson Community Leadership Program in Victoria where he met the current Australian of the Year, Simon McKeon, who was a board member of World Vision at the time.
"Through that connection I began to do some pro bono strategy work for their board and senior management. And I course, I loved it."
"In 2007, while I was Chief Marketing Officer of Medibank Private, I received an out-of-the-blue phone call from Tim Costello, CEO of World Vision, asking me to lead a key transformation they wanted to undertake."
Working at World Vision has enabled him to spend time in places like the slums of Soweto, Chennai, Phnom Penh, Jakarta and Sao Paulo - and in the rural areas of Zimbabwe, Malawi, and India.
"Three key things stand out for me. The first is the inspiring example of community leaders who - despite incredible odds and having very little themselves - continue to fight for a better life for their families and communities. The second is the simple but clever innovations that can have a profoundly positive effect on peoples' lives. The third is that look of deep joy and pride when parents are able to sustainably provide for their own families and see a brighter future for their community."
After 12 years in interstate and international roles, David is excited to be returning home to Adelaide and making it his base for his new position of 'Director of Innovation', looking ahead to the sorts of things World Vision could/should be doing in five or ten years' time.
Asked what advice he would offer to new graduates, David quoted the words of Chinese philosopher and military strategist, Sun Tzu:
"Opportunities multiply as they are seized."
Doctorate in Business Administration, University of South Australia, 2011
Founder and Director, Hibiscus Petroleum Berhad, Malaysia
For as long as he can remember Ken Pereira wanted to be an engineer. His interest in the oil industry was sparked by listening to the adventures of his flatmate while studying for his engineering degree at the University of Bath in England.
'I shared an apartment with a friend who was working for an oil services company called Schlumberger and he had a very interesting lifestyle', said Ken, who won the role of Field Service Engineer at Schlumberger.
He spent the next 8 years working for the company in several countries in North Africa and Europe, learning about the industry from the ground up.
'The Schlumberger experience taught me the technical component of looking for oil but there was key element that was missing from my jigsaw puzzle, finance, and more particularly, how do you put together enough capital to set-up an oil company?'
This question was to become the seed of Ken's doctoral thesis many years later.
In the meantime Ken completed an MBA researching the oil service environment in Malaysia and that thesis catalysed the founding and growth of a company called Sapura Energy which later became SapuraCrest Petroleum. He spent ten years there as the Chief Operating Officer, watching the company grow to become one of Malaysia's largest oil service companies.
Ken's goal was always to answer the big question of financing and establishing an oil company, so he decided to research it in a structured way by pursuing a doctorate at the University of South Australia's International Graduate School of Business.
Ken's doctoral thesis focused on start-up, survival and growth strategies for small oil and gas exploration and production companies, and this motivated him to start Hibiscus Petroleum in 2011, the first independent oil company listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.
He has often told the story about the lesson he learned from the movie 'Apollo 13', where in the face of impending disaster the crew saves the space capsule by heeding the commander's advice to focus on the controls that are working, not on the failed equipment.
'That is a key lesson for me: to be an effective leader, in real-time decision-making, focus more on the positives, build on things that work. The second lesson from that movie is about teamwork. It is truly amazing what teamwork and team chemistry can achieve.'
His advice to new graduates is to be happy to start at the bottom of the ladder because that was the place to learn, as his father had told him, based on the old adage that knowledge is near the bottom of the ladder and wisdom is near the top.
'And be a team player. In the long run, you will be rewarded. Most important of all, each time, focus on the positives of a situation and it will make you solution-minded . . . every time!'
'In business you never ignore intuition, particularly if you get a recurring feeling about something. If you are attempting something innovative or different, it is more likely intuition, rather than logic, that will be your guide post,' said Ken.
Ken is keen to reward the backers of his new venture by working hard on building Hibiscus Petroleum, leaving a legacy for his three children. He is also is interested in doing some part time lecturing to keep in touch with new ideas and to share his own experiences.
Associate Diploma in Business (Justice Admin), UniSA, 1992.
Bachelor of Social Science, UniSA, 1997.
Manager, South Australia Police Human Resource Management Branch.
Superintendent Ferdinand (Ferdi) Pit was recognised in the 2011 Australia Day Honours list with an Australian Police Medal for his outstanding leadership and significant contribution to policing in South Australia. He made a significant contribution to human resources management across the force and as Officer-in-Charge of the Elizabeth Local Service Area (LSA), where he was based from 2005 until late last year.
"The award is particularly satisfying as it recognises and takes account of the varied jobs I have been involved with, particularly my time as the Officer in Charge of the Elizabeth LSA," he says.
Ferdi joined the force as an adult recruit in 1976 and went through a 'fast track' training process, before being posted to the Para Hills Police Station as a patrol officer for three years. He then spent 12 years in STAR Force where he progressed through the ranks. It was during this time he attended UniSA and completed an Associate Diploma in Business (Justice Admin) in 1992, before going on to study a Bachelor of Social Science in 1997.
He did the bulk of his study while working a full 24/7 police roster and juggling family responsibilities. Looking back on his time as a student he values the help he received from other students when he missed classes, the patience of the lecturers, and most importantly the opportunity to learn and reflect in a supportive environment.
Mentors have played a positive role in his career, from both a professional and a personal perspective.
"I have had the benefit of both an 'official' mentor as part of SAPOL's self development opportunities as well as those relationships developed both within my profession as well as external to it," he says, citing his wife as his most important mentor.
Ferdi has recently taken up a senior management role as Manager of SAPOL's Human Resource Management Branch.
"I see this as an opportunity to provide ideas and hopefully positive leadership using the experience I have gained," he says.
"I have learnt a great deal about people during my time as an operational manager of an area that has both metropolitan and rural aspects, rich and poor people, high unemployment - particularly youth."
He has some simple but pertinent advice to graduates just starting their professional careers.
"Grab every opportunity to put into practice the things you have learned and be prepared to work hard."
Bachelor of Adult and Vocational Education, University of South Australia, 2003
Manager Learning BankSA Retail and St.George Retail
The development of innovative workplace learning programs is one of the highlights of Irene Stabelos' successful career as a human resources professional in the banking sector.
Irene was born and bred in Streaky Bay and attended Streaky Bay Area School. She commenced a career in banking in 1987 and worked in various roles until reaching a position as a Trainer for one of Australia's big four banks.
"It was during the early few months as a trainer, and completing the certificate training courses in workplace training and assessment, that I became interested in pursuing tertiary qualifications. I wanted to ensure I had academic credibility together with the positional credibility I had earned through the position I held in the Bank," said Irene, who was lucky enough to receive financial and study support from her employer.
"I wanted to be a learning specialist and I sought out the Bachelor of Adult and Vocational Education offered through UniSA."
"The graduation day was one of the absolute highlights for me both personally and professionally, and for my family who were incredibly proud," said Irene, who went on to complete an MBA by distance learning at Charles Sturt University.
Irene recounted three experiences as the most rewarding of her career. The first was the introduction of an online Learner Management System in 2002 that has evolved and is still used today. The second was the design, development and facilitation of a frontline management development program that was launched in 2002 and was delivered until 2010.
The third was her involvement in the design for the BankSA Training centre which opened in 2006 and has a high utilisation rate amongst all departments and business units within BankSA.
"The training centre has facilities for the delivery of sales, service, leadership and systems training and indicates how committed BankSA is to training its staff and setting them up for success," said Irene.
Human resource professionals have witnessed the impact of rapid technological change and increasingly volatile markets and the way this has transformed training and workplace learning.
"In such a volatile fast paced environment, people have to receive, learn and adjust to new information quickly and that means a great deal of accountability on the part of the employee," said Irene.
"Employers need to provide many learning options for employees which are available 'just in time' to be able to increase skill and knowledge levels in a manner that does not remove people from the workplace. Learning at your desk/in the workplace with your team through a variety of media has greater emphasis rather than the traditional classroom attendance."
She also identified employees' use of social media as another challenge which calls for a flexible response from employers, who also need to explore ways to engage with staff via these mediums.
Irene's current role takes her to Sydney on a regular basis, so achieving work-life balance is a challenge. She uses the weekends to unwind and enjoys walking and running.
"For me running and walking provides great thinking time and helps to put a number of challenges into perspective," said Irene, who is a member of the South Australian Road Runners Club.
Throughout her career Irene has held onto one of the best pieces of advice she has received: "You are fully accountable for the direction of your career."
Her advice to new graduates commencing their careers resonates with her philosophy of lifelong learning.
"Whilst you may get qualifications when you get your degree or masters, you need to ensure you remain current, relevant and up to date with your field of expertise. Also get involved with professional bodies in your field. For me it's the Australian Human Resources Institute and the Australian Institute of Training and Development."
Irene's next formal learning goal is to study law or organisational behaviour.
Bachelor of Arts (Writing and Creative Communication), UniSA, 2009
Bachelor of Psychology, UniSA, 2010
Advocate and Activist for Dementia and Aged care
Kate Swaffer is a writer, poet, and advocate of dementia. She was born and raised in a farming community in South Australia and has lived with chronic disease for much of her life. She was diagnosed with a rare younger onset dementia when she was 49. She has experienced other serious illness including an Arnold Chiari Malformation, causing chronic pain and ongoing neurological deficits.
Her careers have included working as a nurse in operating theatres, an executive in health care sales and working as a chef in her own food business. Due to dementia, she has retired from paid work; however she remains positively engaged in life and on top of her busy schedule of speaking, advocacy and lobbying, she volunteers at a Residential Care Facility and for The Big Issue organisation in SA.
Post dementia diagnosis Kate obtained a Bachelor of Arts in writing and creative communication and a Bachelor of Psychology from the University of South Australia and is currently writing two books.
Since being diagnosed with dementia, Kate has been sharing her personal story about living with the disease and presenting at public events and campaigns, including speaking at the rally for the Alzheimer's Australia Fight Dementia National Campaign in October 2011.
Kate is working on multiple projects that aim to change policy and break down the barriers and stigma of dementia and ageing, including: a State Government funded educational video on living with dementia for Domiciliary Care, a Federally Government funded initiative The Good The Bad The Brilliant Project with Resthaven Incorporated, and an Education Resource Pack for senior school students with Urban Myth Theatre of Youth and ECH. She is also producing an Education Resource Pack for teachers and students as part of the Youth Engagement Program for her 2012 Adelaide Fringe event.
Kate will be keynote speaker at the biennial Alzheimer's New Zealand 2012 conference. She is also presenting at the Alzheimer's Disease International London 2012 conference in March and at a Dementia Forum for Alzheimer's Australia in Canberra in June.
An active member of Alzheimer's SA Connexus group (younger onset dementia), Kate also serves on the steering committee for Stronger Communities Brighter Futures project in Australia for Resthaven Incorporated and United Care Wesley and serves on various national committees with Alzheimer's Australia.
A published writer and poet, Kate uses her love of words to capture her memories, and share her journey with dementia, also inspiring many followers through her daily blog.
Her advice to new graduates is to stay positive and focus their efforts on the good battles.
"When you have a problem at work (or in life), ask yourself: Will this still be a problem in a year? If it will, then fix it NOW. If it won't, forget it."
Kate's lesson in life is "to view every day as if it is my last, just in case it is ". She is presenting her story, My Unseen Disappearing World featured at the 2012 Adelaide Fringe Festival.
Bachelor of Management (Marketing), UniSA, 2009
Co-founder and Executive Director of Operations, Brownie Points
Melissa Tan, the recently elected Vice President of the University of South Australia Malaysia Chapter, is active in her profession and her region.
Melissa graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Management (Marketing) and now works as a consultant with Towers Watson in Kuala Lumpur.
"My projects allow me to work with a range of people across continents. It's amazing how much one can learn by just bouncing ideas off the diverse team. It is also nice to know how my contribution to the team adds up to the bigger picture of helping organisations improve performance."
A career highlight for Melissa was winning a Gold Award in the HSBC Young Entrepreneur Awards in Hong Kong in 2007. She was part of a team representing Malaysia for this business development plan competition.
"The business plan involved converting a by product into environmentally friendly fish feed, resulting in cheaper overheads for fish breeders and leading to affordable fish for every family. The grand prize included a study tour to visit corporations in Hong Kong and China - an experience of a lifetime!" she said.
Melissa agrees that the working culture in Asia is fast-paced and highly competitive and spending longer hours at the office is the norm. Her Australian experience encouraged her to incorporate work-life balance at the workplace and she is President of Towers Watson Corporate Social Responsibility and Recreational Committee.
Her latest venture is Browniepoints, a non profit online platform she founded with a friend to assist local NGOs to raise awareness and much needed funds.
"I make time for non-work-related activities. All work and no play makes Jill a dull girl. It is important to unwind in your free time, doing things that are close to your heart. Aside from organising activities for the UniSA alumni chapter, I spend my time rock climbing (indoors) and catching up with loved ones."
Melissa encourages anyone thinking of studying in Australia to go with an open mind and be prepared to indulge in the wonderful culture and experience.
"Networking is important and can be mutually beneficial. You never know where networking will take you. In fact, mu current job spun off from networking."
Melissa's advice to fellow alumni is to apply Pareto's 80:20 rule.
"We are all entitled to 24 hours in a day. Spend 80 percent of your time doing 20 percent of the things that would reap the most benefits. Stay focused, work hard and your dreams will breakthrough to reality."
Graduate Diploma Management (Arts Administration), UniSA, 1995
Director, Adelaide Festival Centre OzAsia
Festival
Jacinta Thompson's passion for Asia underpins her successful career as an arts manager and producer and led to her current position as Festival Director of the Adelaide Festival Centre's OzAsia Festival.
"I'm still excited by the energy, feel and look of the regions, the amazing array of smells from the tropical fruits and flowers to the rainy season in Ubud and Penang, sitting at roadside warungs sipping Kopi waiting for the rain to stop, watching the world go by. There's always something new and wonderful to explore," said Jacinta, a seasoned traveller in Asia.
Adelaide-born Jacinta Thompson's love of the arts was instilled in her from an early age by her mother and she began her career at 18 years old as a lighting technician on the Adelaide Fringe Festival.
After a two year stint travelling around the UK and working in the hospitality industry Jacinta's desire to work in arts management returned.
"I came across an ad for a BA in Educational Theatre at Adelaide University and started university life as a mature age student under the guidance of the incredible Frank Ford. It was a wonderful time and it turned my life around," said Jacinta.
She went on to complete a Graduate Diploma in Management (Arts Administration) at UniSA, juggling study with full-time work on the Fringe, Adelaide and ComeOut Festivals.
Following a year as the Programming Fellow at the Adelaide Festival Centre in 1997, Jacinta embarked on a 15 month stint as an Australian Volunteer Abroad in the tiny Pacific nation of the Marshall Islands, the site of major US nuclear weapons testing between 1946 and 1958.
Based with Youth to Youth in Health in the capital Majuro, she worked with a visiting Hawaiian producer and young Marshallese creating educational theatre about health, nutrition, family planning and AIDS. One of her proudest achievements was helping the locals win a grant for a youth centre and health clinic which was built after she left.
"The experience made me appreciate many things in my life but more importantly how crucial our cultural life is, especially how important it is for young people to be able to access and enjoy the arts."
Upon her return to Australia Jacinta worked with Robyn Archer on the 2000 Adelaide Festival then headed to Melbourne to work with Regional Arts Victoria before a dream role as Education Program Manager for the Sydney Theatre Company.
She returned to Adelaide in 2003 as Executive Producer of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
"It was a great opportunity to return home for. The Cabaret Festival was a total shift in head space and genre for me and gave me the opportunity to work with an array of international and national artists I had not previously worked with before" says Jacinta, who spent four years in the role.
During that time she also undertook a five-month Asialink Residency at The Esplanade Arts Centre in Singapore, where she was able to meet producers and artists from all over Asia. This experience eventually led to her role as Festival Director with the OzAsia Festival, established in 2007 by Adelaide Festival Centre CEO, Douglas Gautier.
The OzAsia Festival is held in September each year and is a two week festival that encompasses dance, theatre, music, forums, food, film, visual arts and the traditional Moon Lantern Festival beside the River Torrens in Elder Park.
During her time as Festival Director, Jacinta has introduced food, film and design components to the festival and established links with many local Asian communities. Since its inception in 2007 OzAsia Festival audiences have grown from 10,000 to over 32,000 people.
"It's truly wonderful that we have the opportunities to culturally engage with these regions and to learn from and work with our neighbours - to me it can only be a positive outcome for all involved," said Jacinta.
Graduate Diploma in Management, UniSA, 2000.
Bachelor of Education (Secondary Physical Education) South Australian College of Advanced
Education, 1984.
CEO, Adelaide Football Club.
Steven Trigg grew up on a farm near Roseworthy and attended primary school in Gawler, later attending St Peter's College. He graduated from the South Australian College of Advanced Education in 1984 with a Bachelor of Education and taught for 6 years at St Peter's College.
He then took up a senior HR manager position in the aviation industry until 1996. During this time he played and coached senior football and held presenter roles with the ABC and Channel 9 and as a sports writer for The Advertiser.
In 1997 Steven was named membership and communications manager of the Adelaide Football Club before being appointed CEO in December 2001. During this time he completed a Graduate Diploma in Management and MBA.
Steven named the Adelaide Crows' Premierships in 1997 and 1998 as among the most rewarding experiences of his career.
"But also, clichéd as it is, it's rewarding in this industry to work with and learn from so many outstanding people," he added. Steven said achieving work-life balance came down to a combination of team and personal effort.
"I have good support, especially from senior management - and my Executive Assistant! I also think it is important to be as disciplined (as possible!) in programming time for family - and exercise."
Steven recalled two important guidelines that have helped him in life, the simple motto 'treat others as you would like to be treated yourself' and the advice that ex CEO and Chairman Bill Sanders taught him, "Always get your numbers!"
He offers the following advice to fellow alumni. "Learn how to work on the 'red line'. In high performance sport, we expect our athletes to work at a high intensity, or on the 'red line'. One way of learning that skill (which it is) is to learn from others - to hang with high achievers and learn from them."
Master of Business Administration, UniSA, 2009
Health and Fitness Consultant
Neville Wadia has combined his twin interests in fitness and business in a career that spans two cultures, India and Australia.
Neville was born and grew up in Mumbai, India, before spending five years at university in Australia, completing a Bachelor of Business (Information Systems) at Edith Cowan University in Perth in 2003, followed by an MBA at UniSA, which he completed in 2009.
His aptitude for sport led him to represent State teams in India for judo and tennis and he played district level soccer and grade cricket. While in Australia he participated in university teams in touch rugby and cricket and played Pennant tennis in Perth, and coached tennis. In 2009 he undertook his MBA internship at the Adelaide Crows Football Club.
After graduating at the end of 2009 he returned to Mumbai and started a small business manufacturing hard wood flooring, for residential and commercial properties, including gyms and squash courts.
"I had always wanted to set up my own business and this seemed interesting, as it was an emerging market with not many players manufacturing their own flooring. Most of it was imported from outside India," said Neville.
"It was a profitable business, but soon I realised that life was getting too monotonous in a 9 to 5 desk job and I just needed to get out and that's when I decided to do something crazy like the Ride for Cancer."
In December last year Neville undertook a 998 kilometre solo bicycle ride from Bangalore to Bombay to raise funds for the Health Awareness Centre, a cancer rehabilitation centre in Mumbai.
"I wanted to do this alone to understand even if only 1% what it feels like to have a disease like cancer. Cancer isn't about the pain, the suffering, treatments. It's about being alone even though you have a million supporters around you. No one understands you or what you're going through at this time. It's such a lonely feeling that it is this that overcomes the individual more than the cancer itself."
"The Health Awareness Centre in Mumbai uses two of the greatest natural boosters of Serotonin (the feel good or happiness hormone in the body), namely fresh healthy food and exercise to treat their so-called terminally ill cancer patients. It changes the patient's lifestyle by making them feel a little better than yesterday. That's the reason I decided to ride for them, bring about some awareness and raise some funds along the way."
He raised AUD 10,500 to fund a pilot project to bring terminally ill cancer patients who cannot afford private healthcare into Bhakti Vedanta Hospital in Mumbai, for a 2 week period, where they are looked after by the hospital's palliative care team and participate in the Health Awareness Centre's program to improve their quality of life.
Since doing the ride, and having practised and taught yoga for the past couple years in India and Geneva, Neville began the move into the health and fitness industry which he hopes to make a full time career. He is currently in Australia learning about Altitude Training Technology and its benefits for weight loss, for asthma to cardio vascular patients and high performance athletes.
He would like to establish a health and fitness centre with rehabilitation for cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular patients and children suffering from obesity.
When asked for his advice to new graduates, Neville's response reflected his adventurous attitude to life.
"Choose a job that you are passionate about, something you could do 10 hours a day 7 days a week, without complaining even once," said Neville.
"Risk is something no UniSA alumni should be afraid of taking, you have been given the tools through your education to deal with risk, without risk there's no fun."
PhD Health Sciences (Occupational Therapy), UniSA, 1999
Pro-Vice Chancellor (Social Inclusion) Macquarie University
Gail Whiteford, Pro-Vice Chancellor at Macquarie University, is co-editor of Occupational Science: Society, Inclusion, Participation, with Professor Clare Hocking, of Auckland University of Technology.
After completing her Masters and PhD in Occupational Therapy at the University of South Australia in 1999, Gail pursued an academic research career, later gaining senior management and international experience.
Gail is well known in her home discipline of occupational therapy, with several edited books and numerous publications focused on occupational deprivation and its impacts.
She currently holds the position of Pro-Vice Chancellor (Social Inclusion) at Macquarie University, a portfolio which includes the Participation and Community Engagement Project, Equity and Diversity, and Indigenous Engagement (outreach, education and employment).
'Career highlights include working to make a difference in some very disadvantaged communities, including in South Africa and Vietnam. I recently worked on two European Commission social inclusion projects involving street children in Turkey and people with disabilities in Bulgaria,' says Gail, who also lists mentoring new graduates and working with PhD students among her career highlights.
In 2009 Gail received a Canadian award for meritorious service for her contribution to social cohesion.
Gail is a sought after speaker, having given keynote and invited presentations in Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, France, New Zealand, the UK and South Africa.
Her advice to new graduates is to be bold and seize opportunities.
'Give your very best in every role you serve in. And network, network, network!'
Occupational Science: Society, Inclusion, Participation, Gail E. Whiteford (Editor) and Claire Hocking (Editor) will be launched at 10.30am on 27 April at Carclew Youth Arts Centre in North Adelaide.
