Under the glimmering lights of Sydney's Harbourview Ballroom at Taronga Zoo, the 17th Australian Chinese Alumni Association (ACAA) Awards Gala was a night to remember for Macquarie University.

With nearly 300 distinguished guests and alumni in attendance, the ACAA Awards celebrated stories of excellence, resilience, and connection between Australia and China. Guests enjoyed a keynote address delivered by Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, who praised the alumni community for building bridges between nations through their expertise and leadership.

Among the evening highlights was the announcement of Peter Chun as the recipient of the Alumni of the Year Award. A Macquarie graduate with a Bachelor of Economics (1992), Chun exemplifies the University's role in shaping forward-thinking leaders.

Reflecting on his journey from young Chinese migrant to one of Australia’s foremost business leaders, Mr Chun said it was an honour to receive the award.

“Since arriving in Australia in the 1970s as an eight-year-old who didn't speak a word of English, I've had an incredible journey to my dream role as the CEO of UniSuper,” he said. “I was extremely fortunate to have studied at Macquarie University 35 years ago – it gave me the foundation to dream big and the tools to grow into the person I am today."

“Receiving this award is a full-circle moment – it symbolises how far we’ve come as a global alumni community, and I continue to be part of the proud Macquarie Alumni community.”

Another proud moment for Macquarie came when Ben Way, Head of Macquarie Asset Management and a graduate with a Bachelor of Arts and Laws, 1998, was recognised with the Business Achievement Award.

Macquarie celebrated six other alumni finalists, and one member of staff, for their incredible achievements in business, creativity, leadership, and community service. Among them were Haoxuan (Nathan) Zheng, Founder and CEO of Xinyin Capital, and Liangliang Chen, CFO of Aramark China, who were recognised for their business leadership.

Wendy Mao, founder of Swan Wine Group, was highlighted in the Arts and Creativity category, while Ken Cao, a key figure in venture capital, and Min Liang, a dedicated community volunteer, earned recognition in the Community Service category.

Sukey Xu, co-founder of CHEFIN, stood out for her leadership as a finalist in the Women in Leadership Award. These inspiring individuals collectively showcased how Macquarie University and Australian education empower alumni to excel on the global stage.

Dr Di Bu, Associate Professor of Finance at Macquarie University, was also a finalist for the ACAA Award in Research and Science, which recognises advancements in knowledge through impactful work which benefits both nations. Dr Bu is an alumnus of the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Queensland (UQ) and is Director of the Macquarie University FinTech and Banking Research Centre.

For Macquarie, the ACAA Awards demonstrated not only pride in its alumni but also their far-reaching influence. As the night drew to a close, it was clear that the gala celebrated not just professional achievements but also the shared spirit of community, ambition, and excellence that unites the Macquarie alumni network.

With the spotlight shifting to Beijing for the next ACAA Awards ceremony, the legacy of Macquarie’s alumni continues to inspire on a global scale.

The eight alumni honoured in the 2025 Australian Chinese Alumni Association Awards:

• Mr Peter Chun, (BEcon 1992), CEO at UniSuper – Winner, Alumni of the Year Award
• Mr Benjamin Way, (BA/LLB 1998), Head of Macquarie Asset Management at Macquarie Group – Winner, Business Achievement Award
• Mr Haoxuan (Nathan) Zheng, (MAF 2017), Founder and CEO at Xinyin Capital – Finalist, Business Achievement Award
• Mr Liangliang Chen, (MAcc(CPA) 2005), CFO at Aramark Service Industries (China) Co. Ltd. – Finalist, Business Achievement Award
• Ms Yanhua (Wendy) Mao, (MBA 2009), Founder of Swan Wine Group – Finalist, Arts and Creativity Award
• Mr Ken Cao, (MMgt 2004), Executive President at Aozhong VC&PE Association & Austra Group – Finalist, Community Service Award
• Ms Min Liang, (MAcc 2006), Volunteer, Canteen Convenor at James Ruse Agricultural High School P&C – Finalist, Community Service Award
• Ms Yi (Sukey) Xu, (MA 2012), Co-founder of CHEFIN – Finalist, Women in Leadership Award