Macquarie Matters » Law/Security/Intelligence

2024 Graduate Outcome Survey (GOS) – November 2023 Round

Yue Zhang — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 22:30:26 +0000

Did you graduate in October 2023? Keep an eye on your email inbox for your unique invitation to participate in the Australia-wide Graduate Outcome Survey (GOS).

The GOS is a national survey being conducted for the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills, and Employment. Your feedback is important and will contribute directly to the experience of current and future students at Macquarie University. Results from the survey are used to gain insight and make improvements to teaching and learning, and services for students. Please see the highlights from the 2023 GOS and initiatives undertaken by the University.

All responses are confidential and aggregated for reporting purposes. Summary results from this national survey are published on the Compare Ed Website.

As an incentive for your participation, you will have the chance to enter the weekly prize draw to win a $1,000, or $500 or $250 pre-paid VISA gift card. Prize draws take place at the end of each week over the four-week survey period. Additional prize information, including terms and conditions, can be found on the GOS website.

We encourage you to participate and complete this important survey.

* Go to http://www.srcentre.com.au/qilt/gostcsb for prize draw term and conditions Results from previous Graduate Outcome Survey https://students.mq.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/1278973/Graduate-Outcomes-Survey-Nov2023.pdf

It’s the same campus, just not as you know it

David Han — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 06:40:57 +0000

To prepare for the next 50 years of growth, we are investing heavily in our campus with two major projects – the Central Courtyard Precinct and the Arts Precinct. Within the Central Courtyard Precinct, the University is building state-of-the-art facilities for staff and students. Designed by leading design studio Architectus, the new buildings will serve a variety of functions, delivering social and educational infrastructure to the very heart of the campus. Existing structures will be redeveloped to be lighter and brighter than their predecessors, creating vibrant and dynamic spaces for all to enjoy. Significantly, new accommodation for students will be created right at the heart of the campus. Macquarie is also investing in a new Arts Precinct. This transformational project will consolidate 10 of 12 departments, highlighting the unique nature and focus of each. In addition, the project will deliver a new building with offices, showcase areas and a museum. PART OF THE PLAN Both projects are part of Macquarie’s Campus Development Plan, which is helping future-proof the University by building a dynamic, sustainable world-class campus. “The University’s Campus Development Plan is connecting people and enhancing their collaboration, as well as learning and research outcomes, so that Macquarie continues to play a leading role as a place-maker, education provider, research institute and employer, both now and into the future,” says Professor S Bruce Dowton, Vice-Chancellor. The overarching plan includes several other projects focused on improving convenience, connectivity and accessibility, green spaces and sustainability. Some are already complete, such as the Macquarie University Incubator, which opened in 2017 and promptly received four awards at the Australian Timber Design Awards. Created for students, researchers, staff, small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs and start-ups who are working on research or ideas that can be commercialised, a number of concepts have already been nurtured at the Incubator through to the commercialisation stage. The Macquarie Active Zone Experience (MAZE) also opened for business and is now the new hub for student clubs and societies, with the purpose-built space above the Macquarie University Spatial Experience (MUSE) featuring a number of large areas, as well as a variety of smaller meeting rooms and event spaces. Removal of buildings C9A and C10A (the former Campus Hub) also began at the end of 2017 to make way for an innovative new learning and teaching building, food and beverage outlets, and the first two of five student housing buildings. In place of the Campus Hub is the Campus Common, an exciting new social precinct in the centre of campus, where it will become the epicentre of student life over the next few years. Law School of the future Plans to redevelop the Macquarie Law School that will re-imagine the University’s campus by establishing a new purpose-designed Law School building at its centre were announced in November 2017. Construction on the new building is anticipated to begin in early 2020, with completion in 2022. “This venue will provide unparalleled facilities for contemporary modes of learning and teaching,” explains Professor Dowton. “The Law School has a rich history of contribution to Macquarie University, the lives of its students and alumni, and the legal profession. This new facility will provide a home for the Law School to ensure its trajectory as an Australian leader.” The new Law School building will be known as the Michael Kirby Building in recognition of the contributions the Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG has made to the University, and his commitment to advancing social justice both in Australia and around the world. He served as Macquarie University Chancellor from 1984 to 1993 before going on to serve as a Justice of the High Court of Australia from 1996 to 2009. Both the Macquarie Law School and Michael Kirby are committed to social justice as a key component of legal education, and the new Law School building will house the Macquarie Social Justice Clinic, a new initiative that allows law students to partner with public interest legal practices to service pro-bono cases, helping the most vulnerable in society.

From Conception to RE:Conception

David Han — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 06:40:19 +0000

The widely acknowledged father of Conception Day was pioneer alumnus Phil Gibbs (Bachelor of Arts, 1977). “We had a bit of an inferiority complex back in 1969 because of our moonscape campus and the lack of a student muck-up day to rival UNSW’s Commemoration Day or Sydney’s Foundation Day,” says Gibbs. According to Gibbs, they looked at different dates to hold a celebratory event, but every official date was at the wrong time – in the holidays, for example. “We couldn’t use Lachlan Macquarie’s birthday because it fell during exams, but at a drunken party we joked that we could have it nine months earlier and call it Conception Day. Unfortunately, someone got the date wrong and it ended up in September.” A SPIRITED BEGINNING The first Conception Day was a half-day event involving rain, flour fights and a student band on the roof of the union building that upset the academics. Although they weren’t quite as upset as the hardworking students who wanted to spend the day studying – and had the fire hoses turned on them for their lack of festival spirit. The following year, organisers decided they needed to lift the bar, and the great gnome hunt was initiated on the eve of Conception Day. (See the 2015 edition of Sirius for Dr Brian Spencer’s account of the evening.) “The gnome hunters exceeded their brief and stole everything not nailed down,” Gibbs reminisces. “In the end, it was a mass heist of garden kitsch. Initially we tried to hide them in the forest, but only their heads stuck out, so we decided they would line the path between the library and the union building. They provided a 1000-strong guard of honour that greeted students for the main event.” Gibbs says the gnomes were transported to Eastwood and Epping police stations where they were categorised according to type – frogs, storks, statues and hundreds of pouting gnomes. There were so many they had to move the police bikes out, and little old ladies argued vigorously over which concrete frog belonged to them. “I was made to go to the police station and apologise formally on behalf of the gnome-nappers to the very stern sergeant on duty,” says Gibbs. Things did not end there though. THE CAMEL OF CONCEPTION In the interest of creating a memorable festival, the organising committee had decided to hold an old-fashioned colonial garden party to formally mark Conception Day. It was felt that a camel would lend the right tone to the event, so one was hired from a local farm. “The deal was that we had to look after Egypt the camel for two days, and we planned to keep her at the rugby house behind the university,” Gibbs says. “Unfortunately, boys being boys, the rugby team decided to give the camel some celebratory drinks and cheese, so in the middle of Conception Night we had to rescue Egypt and take her to a safe house further along Epping Road. “There’s no easy way to make a drunken camel go where you need it to. In the end, I decided to ride her along Epping Road and past El Rancho, now known as The Ranch, where earlier that day students were offering moonshine brewed in a toilet they called the ‘seat of learning’ to truck drivers who stopped at their roadside stall.” As Gibbs inconspicuously plodded along on the inside lane, he was spotted by a police car that ordered them to pull over. “When I eventually managed to stop the camel, who should emerge from the car but the same police sergeant that I’d had to apologise to about the gnome hunt. He was not amused.” RE: INVENTED The night of mayhem marked the beginning of a much-loved tradition. “In the years that followed, there were religious statue hunts, conducted with all the irreverence you would expect from a bunch of larrikin students, and gala balls with very non-PC prizes awarded to Mis Conception, Mis Hap and Mis Behaviour,” Gibbs says, adding that to celebrate Conception Day’s 40th anniversary in 2009, he was invited to give a talk about the festival’s history. “I thought I would be speaking to a genteel audience, but it was more like Woodstock – 10,000 students were in a range of levels of sobriety, impatiently waiting for the next act, Wolf mother, to hit the stage.” Conception Day ran until 2014. It became Australia’s longest-running music festival, with a record of producing great line-ups and attracting huge crowds to the three stages around the lake. Over the years there were mass streakings, while in 2003 more than 1000 festival goers broke the world record for the most tequila shots in a row. Unfortunately, owing to concerns about increasing drug and alcohol abuse, Conception Day had to be stopped in 2015. It has since been replaced with RE:Conception Day, an event that still features a great musical line-up, just without some of the other excesses. “I’m just so grateful to the University for keeping my baby alive all these years,” Gibbs says. “Even now, students and alumni approach me and tell me how great it is.” What's your favourite MQ moment? Share it with other alumni at awc.alumni.mq.edu.au/experiences

2018 Macquarie University Alumni Awards – The Hon Dr Rob Stokes MP

David Han — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 05:11:29 +0000

CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT The reaction from the Honourable Dr Rob Stokes MP on receiving an alumni award isn’t surprising given his history with Macquarie and his passion for the environment and the law. “This award is a humbling encouragement that the hard work to promote the cause for conservation and sustainability is supported by an institution I love,” says Stokes. It is easy to see how Stokes’ interests and enthusiasm converge when you realise that he studied at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as worked as an academic, at Macquarie. He recalls the influence of those who mentored him as significant, such as Emeritus Professor Patricia Ryan, Professor Zada Lipman, Associate Professor Donna Craig, the late Professor Michael Jeffery QC, John Whitehouse and Professor Ben Doer. “As an early proponent of interdisciplinarity in education, Macquarie University powerfully influenced my contribution at the intersection of law, education, environment and planning,” says Stokes. “It also provided me with a decision-making framework to assess the social, environmental and economic implications of major resource projects within an international framework.” His studies at Macquarie also opened “incredible doors” and “provided opportunities to translate research and thinking into pragmatic policy”, which was beneficial during his time as NSW Minister for Environment (2014–15) as well as NSW Minister for Planning (2015–17). “I was fortunate to be able to implement a lot of my thinking that I gained at Macquarie University in my professional life. It was a time when it was possible to bring about environmental reforms that focused on principles of ecologically sustainable development interplanning laws to, for example, create national parks and strengthen pollution laws.” Stokes wholeheartedly encourages those currently studying or considering studying at Macquarie to “use the knowledge that you gain here to make the greatest contribution you can in your chosen field.” The Honourable Dr Robert (Rob) Stokes MP started his career as a lawyer and an academic in environment and planning law prior to joining the political arena in 2005. He has a lifelong interest in environmental protection and planning, heritage, and sustainability, and continues to be actively involved with Macquarie’s Centre for Environmental Law. He is currently the NSW Minister for Education. Stokes graduated from Macquarie with a Bachelor of Arts (1995), Bachelor of Laws (1997), Master of Laws (1999) and Doctor of Philosophy (2008). View other 2018 Macquarie University Alumni Awards winners here Alumni Awards Macquarie University is extremely proud of every one of its 184,000 graduates – their achievements and their contributions in our local and global communities. Our alumni are a source of pride and motivation, and they embody the University’s association with excellence. The Macquarie University Alumni Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of alumni. The awards provide a platform for sharing their inspirational stories with other alumni, staﬀ, students and the wider community. We are now accepting nominations in the following award categories:

Arts and Culture
Education
Environment
Innovation and Enterprise
International Achievement
Medicine and Health
Public and Community Service
Rising Star (aged 30 years under)
Science and Technology
Sport

Nominations close 31 October 2018. Nomination forms and details are available at mq.edu.au/alumni/awards

2018 Macquarie University Alumni Awards – Matt Barrie

David Han — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 05:10:51 +0000

CATEGORY: INNOVATION AND ENTERPRISE Matt Barrie embodies innovation and enterprise beyond his impressive LinkedIn profile of nearly one million followers, and talking with him reveals an interested mind and a positive, undaunted outlook. Admitting that he never went to CEO school, Barrie clearly progressed at his own pace. Having a multifaceted approach to life, learning, technology and business, Barrie is familiar with setbacks, but not deterred by them, and he believes that “it is never too late to reinvent yourself and upskill”. That was exactly what Barrie had in mind when he enrolled at Macquarie. Barrie was keen to improve his knowledge in finance after what he called a “dark time”; his previous enterprises hadn’t “set the world on fire”, and he was in-between jobs and looking to take time out. Macquarie’s Master of Applied Finance was to become a piece of the intricate puzzle that makes him what he is today. During his studies, Barrie made interesting and influential connections at Macquarie. Indeed, Professor George Foster, a colleague of Director of Applied Finance Phil Dolan, became a board director of Barrie’s company for six years. Asked what advice he would give to aspiring entrepreneurs, Barrie’s demeanour instantly lifts, his enthusiasm for sharing is palpable. “You don’t want life to be handed to you on a platter – forge your own destiny. There is a huge amount of opportunity in the world. Go out there and seize it. Take risks and try things. Most of all, take initiative and recognise opportunities when they arise.” Clearly, being an entrepreneur is more than a job title; it is a way of being in the world. Matt Barrie is an award-winning entrepreneur, thought leader, speaker and influencer. He is the CEO and chairperson of Freelancer.com and has a myriad of degrees in engineering and business. He is highly regarded in the fields of entrepreneurship, economics, business and technology. Barrie graduated from Macquarie with a Master of Applied Finance (2011). View other 2018 Macquarie University Alumni Awards winners here Alumni Awards Macquarie University is extremely proud of every one of its 184,000 graduates – their achievements and their contributions in our local and global communities. Our alumni are a source of pride and motivation, and they embody the University’s association with excellence. The Macquarie University Alumni Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of alumni. The awards provide a platform for sharing their inspirational stories with other alumni, staﬀ, students and the wider community. We are now accepting nominations in the following award categories:

Arts and Culture
Education
Environment
Innovation and Enterprise
International Achievement
Medicine and Health
Public and Community Service
Rising Star (aged 30 years under)
Science and Technology
Sport

Nominations close 31 October 2018. Nomination forms and details are available at mq.edu.au/alumni/awards

2018 Macquarie University Alumni Awards – Bruce Gosper

David Han — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 05:10:16 +0000

CATEGORY: INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT “I’m very honoured to receive a Macquarie University alumni award – it doesn’t seem that long since I was at uni, but it’s some 38 years!” In that time, Bruce Gosper has helped raise a family and been fortunate to find a fulfilling, busy career. He says, “My work and my passion are trade policy and negotiations. It’s taken me to interesting places across six continents and put me in contact with some great people. “The institutions, rules and norms that keep trade working, and that protect the weakest from the most powerful, have been tremendously important to the relative peace and prosperity of the past 70 years and to Australia’s welfare. “Being able to play a part in supporting open trade and a rules-based system has given me great satisfaction. There are plenty of challenges to all that now – rising protectionism, the strains on the global system from shifting geopolitics, and the pace of change in technology. There’s plenty more work to do. “A lot of trade policy is the hard graft of building relationships and trust, and there’s also the high drama and exhaustion of big trade negotiating rounds. What I’m most proud of is the work I’ve been involved in over many years with the World Trade Organization – it’s something worth any lifetime of work. “My education at Macquarie University was good preparation. The multidisciplinary approach equipped me with different perspectives and ways of looking at issues and problems, which has been invaluable. The rigour of the scientific method supported by an appreciation of history and politics and culture! “In Singapore, I’ve been pleased to engage with Macquarie alumni. It brings together a great group of people, at different stages of their lives, but with a shared experience. The older, pioneer graduates and the new, younger graduates all have something to offer our gatherings.” Bruce Gosper is the Australian High Commissioner to Singapore and is also a member of the Asia Society Australia Advisory Council. He was previously CEO of Austrade and Ambassador to the World Trade Organization. Gosper graduated from Macquarie with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (1980). View other 2018 Macquarie University Alumni Awards winners here Alumni Awards Macquarie University is extremely proud of every one of its 184,000 graduates – their achievements and their contributions in our local and global communities. Our alumni are a source of pride and motivation, and they embody the University’s association with excellence. The Macquarie University Alumni Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of alumni. The awards provide a platform for sharing their inspirational stories with other alumni, staﬀ, students and the wider community. We are now accepting nominations in the following award categories:

Arts and Culture
Education
Environment
Innovation and Enterprise
International Achievement
Medicine and Health
Public and Community Service
Rising Star (aged 30 years under)
Science and Technology
Sport

Nominations close 31 October 2018. Nomination forms and details are available at mq.edu.au/alumni/awards

2018 Macquarie University Alumni Awards – Dr Andrew Scipione AO APM

David Han — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 05:09:20 +0000

CATEGORY: PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE Servant first, leader second. It may not have been the most popular leadership style, but it was a natural fit for Dr Andrew Scipione – one that he was challenged to define while studying the Master of Management at Macquarie. Prompted to consider what underpinned his management style, Scipione says, “There are different ways of engaging people – my studies led me to a servant leadership style. I was a Christian before I was a leader, and this style of leadership was consistent with my values.” Scipione undertook his masters as part of a development program with NSW Police – an organisation he dedicated four decades of his life to – and the congruence between his values and purpose, which is evident in both his personal and professional life, shines through his conversation. “We are all called to be leaders”, says Scipione. “Whether that is within our families or within our professional lives, there are people who are looking to us. It is important to be part of an ongoing commitment to excel, and this style gave me the direction to do better. And it allowed me to invest in those working alongside me so that they could achieve their best too.” Scipione found his masters to be invaluable in his work as time went on, yet he acknowledges the huge commitment it entailed. “I couldn’t have done it without my wife and children, and I will be forever grateful to them.” Scipione also recognises former NSW Fire and Rescue Commissioner Greg Mullins (Master of Management, 2000), with whom he has a lot in common. While he describes the award as an honour, he is quick to recognise others who, like him, have worked exceptionally hard and says this award is shared with them. Always a humble servant. Dr Andrew Scipione retired in 2017 after a lifetime of police service and nearly 10 years as NSW Commissioner of Police. His time as Commissioner was one of unprecedented change across police operations. His contribution was far-reaching, and his leadership style was highly respected. Scipione graduated from Macquarie with a Master of Management (1998) and Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) (2013). View other 2018 Macquarie University Alumni Awards winners here Alumni Awards Macquarie University is extremely proud of every one of its 184,000 graduates – their achievements and their contributions in our local and global communities. Our alumni are a source of pride and motivation, and they embody the University’s association with excellence. The Macquarie University Alumni Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of alumni. The awards provide a platform for sharing their inspirational stories with other alumni, staﬀ, students and the wider community. We are now accepting nominations in the following award categories:

Arts and Culture
Education
Environment
Innovation and Enterprise
International Achievement
Medicine and Health
Public and Community Service
Rising Star (aged 30 years under)
Science and Technology
Sport

Nominations close 31 October 2018. Nomination forms and details are available at mq.edu.au/alumni/awards

2018 Macquarie University Alumni Awards – Jennifer Star and Shaun Star

David Han — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 05:08:35 +0000

CATEGORY: RISING STARS Distinguished alumni Jennifer (Jen) and Shaun Star, who met at Macquarie, are a force for good in the world. They are often reverently referred to as a ‘powerhouse couple’ but ‘rising stars’ reflects their alumni award, their surname and their aspirations to help others. Jen lives in Delhi, India, and runs Tara.Ed, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes quality education in rural and remote areas of India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan through teacher training and capacity building, infrastructure development and resource distribution. Jen says, “Seeing the Tara.Ed model – which was once just a 21-year-old’s dream – become a success and make a sustainable impact on the lives of vulnerable kids in India is really special. To date, we have changed the lives of over 17,500 students.” Jen has dedicated her life and career to women and girls who have not had the same freedoms and privileges she has enjoyed, and she has received many awards for her work in this space. Yet, she says a Macquarie alumni award means a great deal to her: “The continued support and recognition from Macquarie University for all my pursuits is greatly appreciated.” Shaun agrees that “being part of the Macquarie community has been an extremely rewarding experience and provided great value to both our lives.” He, too, has found his calling. His focus has been on building connections and strengthening people-to-people links between India and Australia through the Australia India Youth Dialogue, which he co-founded; and between Indian and Australian lawyers through the publication of a comparative legal volume. He is the director and founder of the Centre for India Australia Studies. Over the past year, he has hosted immersion programs for Australian students and has found it gratifying to witness firsthand the impact international exposure has had on their lives. Their belief in the power of compassion and altruism is inspirational. We wish Jen and Shaun continued success with their important global work that impacts the lives of others so positively. Jennifer Star is the founding director of Tara.Ed and is currently the Manager, Professional Learning (India), Australian Council for Educational Research. Shaun Star is an Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean at the Jindal Global Law School. Jennifer Star has represented Macquarie University and Australia in Judo. Star graduated from Macquarie with a Bachelor of Arts (2009) and Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (2010). Shaun Star graduated from Macquarie with a Bachelor of Commerce with Bachelor of Laws (2011). View other 2018 Macquarie University Alumni Awards winners here Alumni Awards Macquarie University is extremely proud of every one of its 184,000 graduates – their achievements and their contributions in our local and global communities. Our alumni are a source of pride and motivation, and they embody the University’s association with excellence. The Macquarie University Alumni Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of alumni. The awards provide a platform for sharing their inspirational stories with other alumni, staﬀ, students and the wider community. We are now accepting nominations in the following award categories:

Arts and Culture
Education
Environment
Innovation and Enterprise
International Achievement
Medicine and Health
Public and Community Service
Rising Star (aged 30 years under)
Science and Technology
Sport

Nominations close 31 October 2018. Nomination forms and details are available at mq.edu.au/alumni/awards

2018 Macquarie University Alumni Awards – Dr Abigail Allwood

David Han — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 05:07:44 +0000

CATEGORY: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Is there life on Mars? It’s a question many ponder, but few are qualified or engaged to answer this timeless question. That is, unless you are Dr Abigail Allwood, first female and one of seven principal science investigators to lead NASA’s next mission to Mars, scheduled for 2020. She will also be the first Australian to lead a NASA team searching for signs of life on Mars, and she hopes that this exceptional achievement will light a path for other women. To be part of NASA’s next mission to Mars, Allwood and her team pitched the inclusion of the Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry, or PIXL for short, a NASA-funded instrument that scans rocks for chemical signatures of life. To Allwood and her team’s delight, she was accepted. PIXL will be operated remotely from Earth and will be able to analyse specimens in greater detail than ever before. But Allwood is no stranger to Martian life. As an early-career academic, she explored Australia’s Pilbara for signs of life from Mars. It took three years, but she and her husband identified seven different-shaped fossil stromatolites that date back 3.4 billion years. Given the number and range of specimens, even those most sceptical were in no doubt of the validity of her discovery, and it is still the oldest – and most widely accepted – record of life on Earth. But this was not the end of the story. Allwood won a coveted position at the California Institute of Technology, where working under geologist John Grotzinger (lead scientist for the 2014 Mars Curiosity rover) would become a key link in her own Mars expedition. Allwood began developing PIXL by reducing the size of a similar instrument used in the Pilbara and waited for her dream to be confirmed – PIXL would be going to Mars. One small step for PIXL. One giant leap for womankind. Dr Abigail Allwood, astrobiologist and co-leader of NASA’s Mars 2020 rover mission, has a strong interest in the early Earth, microbial sediments, evaporites and the oldest record of life on Earth, and has been outspoken on the need to invest in – not cut – funding for the sciences in Australia. Allwood graduated from Macquarie with a PhD in Earth Science (2007). View other 2018 Macquarie University Alumni Awards winners here Alumni Awards Macquarie University is extremely proud of every one of its 184,000 graduates – their achievements and their contributions in our local and global communities. Our alumni are a source of pride and motivation, and they embody the University’s association with excellence. The Macquarie University Alumni Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of alumni. The awards provide a platform for sharing their inspirational stories with other alumni, staﬀ, students and the wider community. We are now accepting nominations in the following award categories:

Arts and Culture
Education
Environment
Innovation and Enterprise
International Achievement
Medicine and Health
Public and Community Service
Rising Star (aged 30 years under)
Science and Technology
Sport

Nominations close 31 October 2018. Nomination forms and details are available at mq.edu.au/alumni/awards

2018 Macquarie University Alumni Awards – Liz Ellis AO

David Han — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 05:06:47 +0000

CATEGORY: SPORT Liz Ellis’ reputation as one of Australia’s greatest netball players often precedes her academic achievements and other interests. You may not know that she has a double major in Ancient History and Politics – and is a history buff. “I still love it”, Ellis says. A happy pastime and relic from her time as a student is devouring history books and downloading podcasts. In light of the load of her law studies, she says “history kept me sane”. Although it has been 20 years since she left university, she says she is still grateful to the passionate lecturers and tutors who shaped her brain. “What I was taught didn’t give me answers; it showed me multiple ways of coming to an answer. “When I analyse an issue, I try to bring another perspective. Things aren’t always black and white; there’s a whole lot of grey.” It would seem the combination of history, law and politics complemented each other, and held her in good stead for the work she now does in general and with government. “I have an understanding of how things work, the mechanics behind the political process and the critical thinking skills to analyse a situation.” Of course, all sports people have to prepare for life after the game, and Ellis has found that her studies have informed her media work too, where she is able to “look at an audience, see what’s being said, and pick up on what others might be missing.” It would seem that all the threads of her life so far are now coming together. Happily ensconced in northern New South Wales, Ellis says of the award, “I am humbled. It’s a real honour for your old university to still want to claim you and continue the relationship.” Former Australian netball captain and champion, broadcaster and media commentator, Liz Ellis was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia for her ‘distinguished service to netball as an elite player and coach, through support and advocacy for young women, as a contributor to the broadcast and print media industries, and to the community’ in 2018. Ellis graduated from Macquarie with a Bachelor of Arts with Bachelor of Laws (1997). View other 2018 Macquarie University Alumni Awards winners here Alumni Awards Macquarie University is extremely proud of every one of its 184,000 graduates – their achievements and their contributions in our local and global communities. Our alumni are a source of pride and motivation, and they embody the University’s association with excellence. The Macquarie University Alumni Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of alumni. The awards provide a platform for sharing their inspirational stories with other alumni, staﬀ, students and the wider community. We are now accepting nominations in the following award categories:

Arts and Culture
Education
Environment
Innovation and Enterprise
International Achievement
Medicine and Health
Public and Community Service
Rising Star (aged 30 years under)
Science and Technology
Sport

Nominations close 31 October 2018. Nomination forms and details are available at mq.edu.au/alumni/awards