The evening was supported by Macquarie’s Young Alumni Advisory Board (YAAB), led by Ki Yan Baldwin and members Alistair Booth and Delia Deng. Beer with the Boss was an opportunity to engage with nine accomplished bosses, including three from YAAB.

“Networking at alumni events is always insightful and inspiring,” said alumni Viraj Dugar. Selena Chua added that the event provides attendees with opportunities to strike up interesting conversations with senior leaders and alumni, making new connections. “I am looking forward to more events like this,” she said.

“It is like speed dating but with bosses,” joked Dr Prashan Karunaratne, referring to the event where attendees move between bosses every 15 minutes, gathering tips and insights.

The bosses included Karen Ganschow, Head of Data Sciences at Aware Super; Heidi Han, Communications Consultant; Rakin Hasan, Manager of Technology and Systems Assurance at HLB Mann Judd; Kaylene Hubbard, Tax Partner at KPMG; Michelle Hutchison, Chief Operating Officer at Schebesta Ventures; Richard Norrie, Cyber Resilience Consulting Lead at Dell Technologies; and Alejandro Ortiz, CEO and Founder of Alejandro Ortiz Consulting.

As the bosses shared their expertise, alumni listened intently, asking questions and soaking up the knowledge on offer. “There was a real buzz in the air. The alumni were super-engaged and asked so many great questions,” said Ms Hutchison.

Ms Hubbard agreed: “The energy in the room was incredible; the diversity of attendees and their confidence and enthusiasm were inspiring. I was in awe of them and their self-awareness.”

Mr Norrie noted: “All the bosses were really passionate about what they do. And this is what I attempted to instil in the attendees – passion will get you places that even raw talent cannot.”

Michelle Hutchison, Chief Operating Officer at Schebesta Ventures, engages with alumni

The bosses addressed practical aspects of employment, guiding graduates on breaking into the corporate world and tackling questions about negotiating tricky situations, entering new fields or managing tech start-ups. The rise of cybersecurity, risk and AI emerged as particularly hot topics.

Ms Ganschow addressed fears about job loss, saying, “There will always be challenges so be bold, be curious and don’t stay still. Put a light on the hill and watch people swarm.”

Mr Ortiz shared his insights on making informed and meaningful career choices. He encouraged introspection in alumni to identify core talents and align them with passion to achieve a fulfilling career.

Ms Han connected with alumni who had been international students and shared her insights on building a supportive network.

Mr Hasan said: “It’s important to remember, we’re all running our own race. It’s not about reaching the finish line; it’s about enjoying the journey and what we learn along the way.”

Referring to the alumni in the room, Ms Hubbard concluded: “The future is in good hands.”

Activities to further support the employability of Macquarie alumni are now being planned for 2024. If you would like to get involved or share ideas, please email alumni@mq.edu.au

Macquarie extends its reach through active alumni networks across key cities, including Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu. The University recently celebrated the contributions of this network through two events held in Shanghai and Beijing.

The Shanghai event (pictured above) attracted more than 125 attendees, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Rorden Wilkinson, alumnus Feng Guo, Executive Director of Global Corporate Banking at J.P. Morgan, and Helen Sawczak, the NSW Government’s Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for Greater China and Director of AustCham China. Professor Wilkinson expressed gratitude for the support received from alumni, the student community and the partners represented.

At the Beijing event, 226 guests were welcomed by Professor Wilkinson as well as Macquarie’s Executive Director, Philanthropy and Alumni Relations, Hedda Paisley, and Macquarie alumnus JC Liu, CEO of Zevest Tech Investment Holdings Limited. Professor Wilkinson highlighted Macquarie’s upcoming 60th anniversary, inviting alumni to celebrate this milestone.

He also urged alumni to commit to lifelong learning and enquiry: “It is important across your lifetime to always be open to new knowledge and the possibility for greater understanding.”

These events showcased Macquarie’s rich education and research, and underscored the enduring connection between the University and its global alumni community.

As the University approaches its 60th year, these gatherings are a celebration of the institution’s success and a reminder of the pivotal role played by our alumni in shaping and enriching its continued legacy. The Chinese alumni community is a vital contributor to Macquarie’s growth and global impact.

For students, their graduation ceremony is a well-deserved celebration of the years of hard work that go towards earning their degree. For alumni who choose to volunteer on this special day, it takes them back to their own time at the University.

In 2022, our dedicated alumni volunteers contributed a total of 1089 hours. So far, in 2023, they have already surpassed this milestone, generously devoting 1344 hours to support to this year’s ceremonies. Following a story sharing the stories of alumni graduation volunteers and calling for more support, 26 alumni responded and joined the ranks as graduation volunteers. Notably, five of these new volunteers have already supported the October ceremonies, contributing an additional 72 volunteer hours each.

As powerful as these numbers are, they don’t tell the whole story – these alumni volunteers’ time as students at Macquarie spans the 1970s to the 2000s. They embody the timeless spirit of giving back to their alma mater and play a vital role in creating a lasting connection between past and present students. Their contributions are cherished and impactful, and their presence shows the special connection within our #MQAlumni community. Their dedication to supporting and guiding our new graduates adds a unique and heartwarming dimension to the ceremonies.

Jerry Failautusi Leleimalefaga, Faculty of Arts 2023, with his parents, who flew from Samoa to celebrate his graduation

Reflecting on the remarkable contributions of our alumni volunteers, recent graduate Jerry Failautusi Leleimalefaga shared some the heartfelt words: ““It was the best feeling ever to have my mom over all the way from Samoa to witness such a memorable graduation. Thank you so much to the alumni members and everyone involved in organising the graduation. Memories of such a beautiful graduation ceremony will be cherished forever.”

By learning more about how native Australian plants have adapted to survive using different strategies, we can deepen our understanding of how plants all over the world will respond to increasingly harsh conditions.

After receiving generous funding from the Hermon Slade Foundation, a team of researchers at Macquarie, led by Dr Andrea Westerband, set out to understand how plants are able to adapt to a range of climate and soil conditions.

Their focus was on the process of photosynthesis—where plants use sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and energy. More specifically, the aim was to investigate how plants balance water and nitrogen during this process. The theory being explored was a simple one, based in microeconomics – that plants have evolved to be incredibly efficient by producing carbohydrates at the least total cost to them. In other words, they should invest resources in a way that maximises their growth and survival. By testing this theory using plants growing in nature, we can improve our ability to conserve plant species both now and in the coming decades.

The team has discovered that Australian native plants do, in fact, optimise photosynthesis by tailoring their use of water and nitrogen to the specific climate within which they grow. They respond to changes in temperature, precipitation, soil phosphorus and pH levels by changing the structure of their leaves, by reducing water losses and by increasing leaf nitrogen levels—nitrogen being a critical component of important enzymes in plants. Together, this strategy improves their growth and chances for survival.

This discovery will better enable experts to predict how plants will respond to changes in climate and soil properties at a continental scale. Importantly, this discovery has also shown how climate and soil properties directly impact variation in the shape and function of leaves. This knowledge could be leveraged by future teams to fortify at-risk species and plant communities from the damages of climate change or losses of soil nutrients. There is also the potential to improve crop yield by identifying which species are best at optimising photosynthesis.

The findings of this project have already been leveraged into new investigation and discovery, despite the challenges faced by the team, which were unexpected at its inception. These challenges include drought and fires in 2019 and 2020, restrictions on travel due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and more recently, ongoing flooding in western NSW. In response to these challenges, the study design was refined and adapted with the team using this opportunity to publish the existing data and to articulate the future direction of the broader research program. This has been recognised through academic publication and an Australian Research Council Discovery Award, ensuring continued impact and investment in this important area of investigation.

This project has led to new discoveries, including a greater understanding of how plants optimise various functions within their leaves. The research program has now been expanded to consider how leaves and stems coordinate with each other to maximise a plant’s ability to efficiently create energy while reducing water loss. Plans are also in place to collect complementary data in more extreme climates, to further understand this important biological process.

The team would like to thank the Hermon Slade Foundation for its generosity. A greater understanding of the natural world is key to creating new methods needed to protect it. The more we know, the more we are able to do. Discoveries such as the ones made by the team throughout the course of this project are impossible without the support of individuals and organisations who share a vision for a sustainable and prosperous future.

The culture of philanthropy is alive and well among Macquarie University students. While many face financial hardship with the rise in the cost of living, students also tackle the big issues, such as mental health, climate change and choosing a meaningful career.

These three student groups are just some at Macquarie that are dedicated to making a difference and raising awareness by doing good in the world and the workplace.

Enactus

Enactus is a team of like-minded and passionate students, united in their mission for social change and to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. With more than 40 active members, the Macquarie team is just one of the many across 36 countries.

Enactus is an international non-profit organisation that brings together a community of student, academic and business leaders. As part of Enactus, the Macquarie team inspires fellow students to improve the world through student-led enterprises.

They recruit their own team members and set up their own roles and responsibilities. Macquarie Enactus team members also decide their own projects, implement them in the community and present them each year to panels of industry judges from businesses around Australia.

Effective Altruism

Effective Altruism (EA) is a philosophy and social movement that applies evidence and reason to determine the most effective ways to improve the world. Effective Altruists are concerned with questions such as: ‘To which charity should I donate in order to have the greatest effect?’ and ‘Given that we have limited resources, what causes are most worthy of my time and attention?’

To guide these choices, EA advocates considering three key questions:

1. Is the problem ‘neglected’?

2. How much ‘impact’ can you have, or how ‘scalable’ is a solution to the problem you are working on?

3. Is the problem ‘tractable’, or how much progress towards a solution can you make by working on it?

In other words, EA suggests you look for the low-hanging fruit and where you think you can achieve easy wins in searching for efficiencies in problem-solving.

Current EA causes include climate change, animal welfare, global poverty and development, improving institutional decision-making, great power rivalry, and existential risks such as pandemics or nuclear warfare or AI.

EA is a global movement focused on solving the world’s problems through reason, empathy and evidence, and takes a scientific approach to problem-solving and doing good. EA is coordinated by the Centre for Effective Altruism at the University of Oxford, has chapters across the globe and holds annual EAGx conferences.

The Macquarie group has around 70 members, with a smaller core group of regular members who attend meetings. Current President and co-founder of the group, Ed Chen, says he was influenced years ago by philosopher Peter Singer.

The group currently promotes 80,000 Hours, a campaign and consultancy dedicated to finding a career that will do the most good.

Effective Altruism members at a recent social gathering. 

Macquarie University Philanthropy Club

The Macquarie University Philanthropy Club (MUPC) is a volunteer group run by students for students. They share one common goal: to improve the world around us. Their philanthropic projects include random acts of kindness, ways to combat loneliness and student wellbeing.

They hold regular activities throughout the year such as Wholesome Hangouts at the UBar, and Paint for Purpose, a fundraiser to support the Centre for Emotional Health at Macquarie.

The group is fun and inclusive. Being a part of the executive team provides students with the opportunity to practice their own set of skills and knowledge as well as gain some experience in marketing, social media, influencing, promotions and more.

Students at the Paint for Purpose Fundraiser.

This article was first published here.

“London is one of the biggest cities in the world and a very attractive place to live and work,” says Hyun Lee, who graduated from Macquarie with a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) in 2010 and is now Director of Product Development at Kantar, one of the top market research companies in the United Kingdom.

Explaining the lure of London, Mr Lee says, “It’s an extremely dynamic business environment and culture, and businesses are connected in a sophisticated web. New jobs with new responsibilities are constantly being created, and your unique skillset is what defines your role rather than a pre-determined set of requirements.

Hyun Lee at a Macquarie alumni event in London 

“It’s an ever-changing work situation that doesn’t allow anyone to stagnate,” he continues. “In my role, I’m continually redefining what I do to make sure I’m competitive – for me, working in London is all about being part of this challenging business ecosystem.”

Originally from Korea, Mr Lee is not afraid of a challenge or to break new ground. He arrived in Australia in 2004 and, having experienced the Asian financial crisis in 1999, was keen to understand how the economy worked and what roles banks and financial institutions play in everyday life.

As a result, he enrolled at Macquarie and was the first person from Korea to achieve an honours degree in Economics at Macquarie. By chance, his statistics lecturer KJ Byun recommended he consider a career in market research. He says, “It’s not a career that usually comes to mind when studying economics, but her recommendation is what led me to work in this field.”

Mr Lee says he was also the first Korean to work at Kantar’s London headquarters, having accepted a position in e-commerce research and insights in 2015, and has been in London ever since – a not uncommon story. Fellow alumni Fiona Boal (pictured left) has lived in London for the last 10 years but says she’s still a very proud Australian, especially when it comes to any sporting contest against the English.

Having graduated from Macquarie with a Master of Applied Finance in 2005, Ms Boal says it gave her the confidence and technical skills to further her career in financial services. She’s currently the Global Head of Equities at S&P Dow Jones Indices in London and is responsible for managing the United States and global equity indices, including the iconic S&P 500, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P Global BMI and the S&P and ASX 200.

Ms Boal spent ten years in the Big Apple with Rabobank and various hedge funds before making the leap to the United Kingdom. As she explains, “Not long after graduating, I had the opportunity to move to New York City – who knows if I would have been offered that job without the Master of Applied Finance, but it certainly demonstrated to my employer at the time that I was willing to learn, able to juggle multiple demands on my time, and my curiosity about global financial markets.”

There’s no doubt that both New York and London are a long way from West Wyalong, 500 kilometres due west of Sydney, whereMs Boal grew up, and indeed Meat and Livestock Australia, and where she started her career, but she says that Macquarie prepares you for life as a global citizen.

“It helps you to expand your horizons and be more courageous when taking new opportunities around the world,” agrees Mr Lee.

James Zhao now calls London home too. He graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Finance and Bachelor of Commerce in Actuarial Studies in 2009 and a Master of Commerce in 2010. Currently Vice President within the Loan Capital Markets business at Bank of America, where he specialises in acquisition financing, Mr Zhao says, “The adjustment from life in a smaller pond to a world of opportunities has been an exciting one.”

James Zhao

Still, he notes things don’t always go to plan. “I studied to become an actuary and ended up a banker. And I never thought I’d leave Australia, but I’m about to celebrate my eighth year in London – my mantra has been to live with no regrets, and that has led to a lot of rewarding experiences so far.”

Mr Zhao notes the market in London is robust. “There’s an abundance of jobs and opportunities available, and Australians are well-regarded for our qualifications and work ethic. And the level of deal flow is tremendous, particularly as London allows me to dabble in transactions across continental Europe and North America.’

Andre Nguyen (pictured left with James Zhao) couldn’t agree more. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in 2009 and is now the Chief Legal Officer at Orbus Software in London. He adds, “With the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement in force, more and more opportunities will arise for those keen to step out of the Australian market.

Andre Nguyen attending an alumni event

“Whether for a short or long time, it’s definitely worth bolstering your experience by working abroad – it expands your horizons and your perspective,” he says, strongly encouraging those venturing to London to link in with the Macquarie United Kingdom Alumni Network.

“The graduates you meet all have such varying careers, which can span a few years to decades, and the network opens doors to unique events, enhancing business connections and future relationships. It also inspires the new wave of graduates and is an opportunity to share stories and celebrate a great education collectively.”

Mr Nguyen also notes the network has been a great way to catch up on developments at Macquarie. “We have been involved in plans for the new branding and legal facilities at the Macquarie site, and it has been useful for expanding the voice of those in the legal alumni,” he says, referring to the London event for the former Macquarie Chancellor and High Court judge Michael Kirby, with distinguished guests Baroness Hale and Baron Mance.

Retaining connections to their alma mater is clearly important to each of these alumni. “It’s a great way to connect with other alumni and remain engaged with the University,” adds Ms Boal. “I’ve attended a number of social and networking events and was honoured to be the guest speaker at an alumni event in 2019, where I spoke about the future of finance in the United Kingdom.

“It was only a few months before the UK formally withdrew from the EU, and there was significant uncertainty surrounding London’s ability to maintain its position as a global financial hub,’ she recalls.

Mr Zhao adds, “The macro headlines about London haven’t been positive since Brexit, but it’s still an amazing city, and the brightest minds in Europe still consider breaking into London as the prize they strive for. I still call Australia home, but moving here has been the single best decision I’ve ever made, both for my career and the incredible travelling adventures.”

As a final note, Mr Lee reflects on the warmth and collegiality inherent in the Macquarie alumni, saying, “It is about staying connected, but also, by sharing what we and others have done – our successes and challenges, as well as our connections – we can help other Macquarie alumni and students make the most of their time in London too.”

It would seem that wherever your travels and career take you after your graduation ceremony at Macquarie University, you can be sure the Macquarie alumni will be there for you. From Sydney to London and beyond, the Macquarie lighthouse shines bright and strong, a symbol of support, encouragement and reassurance that continues to bring people together.

We’re excited to re-establish the Macquarie UK Alumni Network and would love you to be involved. If you live in the United Kingdom and want to join our network, please connect via LinkedIn, or Update your details to stay connected with your local network.

This story was originally published in Macquarie Matters.

The trio is on the home stretch of the leadership initiative, preparing for the final leg of the 12-month program, which will take place in Antarctica in January 2025.

Homeward Bound was established in 2015 with a vision to increase the representation of women in STEMM leadership roles. The program brings together women from around the world and offers workshops in leadership, strategy, visibility, science communication and collaboration. It empowers women to drive initiatives that promote environmental sustainability, raise awareness and inspire systemic change.

Dr Dudaniec from the School of Natural Sciences, and Ms Brown and Dr Fernando, from Australian Astronomical Optics, follow in the footsteps of Macquarie colleagues Dr Katrina Sealey and Dr Tayyaba Zafar, who completed the program in 2018.

All three will arrive in Antarctica with diverse expertise, yet similar goals.

Dr Rachael Dudaniec: Leading biodiversity conservation

Dr Rachael Dudaniec

Dr Dudaniec is a Senior Lecturer in genetics and conservation biology at Macquarie and a recent ARC Future Fellowship awardee. Her research explores how species adapt to climate change and the co-evolution of introduced diseases and parasites with their hosts. By participating in the Homeward Bound program, Dr Dudaniec aims to further her capacity to lead national and international collaborative scientific projects that improve biodiversity management in a changing climate.

Rebecca Brown: Bridging technology and equity

Rebecca Brown

Ms Brown, an optomechanical engineer at the AAO-Macquarie, specialises in combining mechatronics and optical fibres to enhance astronomical surveys. Her passion for community development and equity aligns with her role as chair of the department’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee. The Homeward Bound program will empower Ms Brown to build and lead inclusive teams, which is crucial to addressing global challenges such as climate change and inequality.

Dr Nuwanthika Fernando: Enabling effective science
 

Dr Nuwanthika Fernando

Dr Fernando is a software engineer at AAO-Macquarie. Leveraging her background in astrophysics, she focuses on developing, maintaining and upgrading data-reduction software that generates science-ready data products for astronomers worldwide. She is deeply passionate about enhancing the accessibility of astronomy as a science and promoting public scientific literacy and believes Homeward Bound can help her realise these goals.

Can you help?

Dr Dudaniec, Ms Brown and Dr Fernando are funding their Homeward Bound experience through personal contributions, employer support and donor contributions, but there is a funding gap. If you would like to support the trio, you can make a tax-deductible donation here.

Find out more about the project below:

• Homeward Bound
• Improving leadership wisdom for women in STEMM
• Starbugs to boldly go further into astronomy’s final frontiers

This year, 32 Macquarie alumni volunteers have given 708 hours of their time at graduations. As impressive as they are, the numbers don’t tell the whole story. The Macquarie Matters team spoke with four alumni to understand what inspires them to volunteer and why giving back to their alma mater is important to them.

“I saw a note in one of the alumni newsletters asking for volunteers to usher at the graduations and decided to give it a go,” says senior HR professional Ms Golnar Adl, (BComm 2003) (pictured left).

Ms Adl had ushered at conferences and other large gatherings previously, so it was something she felt familiar with. Still, she found the experience of volunteering at graduation particularly special.

“We were given academic regalia to wear, and it felt like I was going through my graduation again, but this time I didn’t have the nerve-wracking moment of being on stage and remembering when to doff my cap – I could just enjoy the atmosphere.”

Volunteers often refer to the experience of sharing in the joy of graduates.

Ms Adl (far left) volunteering at a graduation in 2018

“As a volunteer, you are honouring the graduates’ achievements and also sharing in their enjoyment of the occasion,” says Mr Noel Wagg, (BA 1977, Hon D Litt 2019) (pictured right).

“When I address the graduands, I always tell them this will be one of the most important days of their lives and should not be missed.”

 Mr Wagg is one of the University’s most committed alumni volunteers. In 2022 alone, he volunteered 147 hours of his time across 49 ceremonies. He has been volunteering since 2011 – two years after the first volunteers started – and says, “I don’t see why I can’t volunteer for years to come.” 

An active Macquarie alumni member over this time, Mr Wagg has occasionally volunteered on the alumni scholarship selection panel but says his main contribution has been at graduation ceremonies. “Initially, that involved being an usher, but for the past eight years I’ve been the on-stage presenter before ceremonies start, instructing graduands on procedures.”

Mr Wagg, who was awarded Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) in 2019 for his service –  says that for him, volunteering is an expression of thanks. “I chose to volunteer to repay the University for offering the external study format and looking after us as external students,” he says.

Mr Noel Wagg delivering the occasional address at a graduation ceremony

“This form of study was essential for me as I spent my first six years as a teacher in remote locations such as Batlow and Norfolk Island. Volunteering is a way to express my gratitude to all the lecturers and tutors who did such a fantastic job.”

This sense of giving back to the University is important to many of the volunteers, including Mr Phillip Morath, (MA 1981, PhD 1993) (pictured left), who has been volunteering since 2018. In 2023, he has already contributed 81 hours across 27 ceremonies. “I responded to a call for volunteers at graduations because Macquarie has been very good for me in terms of the knowledge, skills and discipline I gained from my time there.”

Both a student and employee of the University during the 1980s and 1990s, Mr Morath says, “I felt very supported and was given opportunities to study and work in an innovative and influential environment – I’ve benefited so much from Macquarie.”

Volunteering in this way allows alumni to maintain a meaningful connection to their alma mater. “Graduation is an important recognition of students’ effort and achievement, and for me, it’s wonderful to be a small part of it. It’s uplifting to see so much happiness in the graduates and their families and friends,” says Mr Morath.

Mr Morath enjoys listening to the announcements of the research theses because it gives him an appreciation of the newest issues and areas of research at the University. “It’s also an opportunity to see how the courses are leading and reflecting the changes in our community and environment,” he says.

He also enjoys meeting different alumni at the ceremonies and says it’s interesting to see where people’s lives have taken them post-study, especially in terms of their careers. Ms Adl agrees, and has found that she has much in common with some of the graduates.

“Being able to meet other HR professionals at Macquarie Business School graduations, in particular, has been a great opportunity to expand my professional network,” she says. “Over the years, I’ve connected with quite a few people, and last year a work project even eventuated from a connection I made at a ceremony.”

Ms Ald continues: “You’ll be surprised by what can happen when you get involved. I was particularly thrilled to see one of my favourite professors at one of the graduation ceremonies I was ushering at. After all these years, I was able to thank him for the path he set me on.”

Of course, there are also fellow volunteers who you get to know as well. “There are so many amazing people who volunteer,” says Ms Adl. “One of the volunteers was my maths teacher at high school – the one who first suggested I consider Macquarie University when I was trying to work out where and what to study.”

Many interesting stories come to light when speaking with volunteers. Ms Jill Brewster, (MBA 1999) (pictured right), a management consultant in financial services, has her fair share. From the time she was ringing the bell for graduands and their guests to go into the Graduation Hall and the bell fell apart, to the occasional graduate who jumps off the stage, she has many memories of volunteering at graduations.

Ms Brewster says her involvement is both practical and personal. “I’ve had many different roles that help in the seamless running of the graduation ceremony, such as assisting with graduate registration, seating graduands and guests in the Graduation Hall, answering questions, being backstage at the ceremony matching graduands to their testamurs, calming their nerves and explaining the process while they’re on stage,” she says.

“I enjoy talking to the graduates about their post-university employment and where their degree has taken them, as well as listening to the inspiring stories from the occasional speakers and graduate speakers.

“Most importantly, though, you’re contributing to a memorable graduation experience for the graduates after many years of hard work, and you can see the enjoyment on their faces and that of their family and friends.”

Ms Jill Brewster (second from left) volunteering at a 2018 graduation

It’s a purely selfless contribution to those who come after them and their alma mater, and a common thread among the volunteers – those who give so generously of their time, skills and often heart – is that they don’t do it for the recognition. “Volunteering is, by its very nature, adequate reward,” says Mr Wagg.

The University is deeply grateful for all its volunteers.  They are, in no small way, part of the soul of the University.

Would you like to become a graduation volunteer at Macquarie? There are various time-commitment options and there’s an information session before the ceremonies.

On the day, volunteers assist in pre-ceremony preparations, from ushering guests to helping the Graduations team, and are encouraged to stay on for the ceremony and join the new graduates and their families afterwards for refreshments.

If you’re interested in volunteering at the upcoming Graduation Series, please fill out the form to register your interest.

This story was originally published in Macquarie Matters.

Macquarie University and the Liptember Foundation have come together for a groundbreaking project aimed at providing crucial support for women facing mental health challenges.

The partnership, which commenced on 4 September, is an important step towards the advancement of mental health research and ensuring accessible care for women across Australia.

The Liptember Foundation, renowned for its commitment to women’s mental health, collaborates with experts, advocates and allies to raise awareness and funds for vital women’s health outcomes. The Foundation’s mission is to empower every woman to achieve optimal mental wellbeing by addressing gaps in mental health programs, initiatives, support services and research. Macquarie is proud to receive the inaugural grant from the Victoria-based foundation. Over the next two years, the $87,000 in funding will support the development of an online single-session perinatal course targeting women dealing with anxiety and depression.

Since 2010, the flagship Liptember fundraising campaign has encouraged individuals to wear lipstick throughout September, offering a fun and easy way to raise awareness and vital funds.

At the forefront of this collaboration is Dr Madelyne Bisby (pictured above), a Research Fellow from the Department of Psychological Sciences. Dr Bisby underscores the importance of providing accessible and effective mental health care for new and expectant mothers, given approximately 20 per cent experience perinatal depression or anxiety (PNDA) each year.

Central to the collaboration is the development and evaluation of an ultra-brief, single-session treatment tailored for women struggling with PNDA. The treatment’s design will be carefully moulded by the firsthand experiences and needs of women who have faced PNDA and aims to support women through this period.

The partnership’s benefits extend beyond research and the project holds the potential to alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms among participants. Moreover, it aims to develop an innovative and succinct treatment approach that can be widely adopted, enhancing mental health care accessibility for women everywhere.

It is hoped the project will help shape the landscape of women’s mental health care for years to come.

The event highlighted our collaborative commitment to strengthening the ongoing fight against cancer through research-focused endeavours and raised more than $1000 towards cancer research at the University.

During the morning tea, staff gathered alongside experts and enthusiastic supporters to engage in a dialogue led by Professor Helen Rizos and Dr John Park. Professor Rizos leads the Precision Cancer Therapy research team in the Macquarie School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences. Dr Park is a medical oncologist and a Senior Clinical Lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences. Both are principal investigators of the Macquarie University Cancer Biobank.

Professor Helen Rizos and Dr John Park

During a compelling dialogue, the two experts highlighted the vital role of a biospecimen bank – a repository of tissue and fluid samples, preserved for current and future research initiatives. The University’s Cancer Biobank is an invaluable collection that not only houses biological materials but also encompasses crucial clinical information and pathology reports. By fostering investigations into the origins, progression, diagnosis and treatment of cancer and tumours, the Biobank stands as a pivotal resource for researchers conducting ethically approved cancer studies.

The event finished with Hedda Paisley, Executive Director of Philanthropy, offering closing remarks and explaining that donations made to Macquarie University causes are directed entirely towards research, without any administrative fees deducted.

During the morning tea, colleagues shared dishes they had prepared, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie. The event not only showcased our collective passion for cancer research, but also emphasised the importance of collaboration in laying a solid foundation for future research.

You can support teaching, research and patient care conducted at Macquarie University and/or the Macquarie University Hospital here.