The formation of this network is a significant milestone, and allows Macquarie’s Indonesian and Indonesia-based graduates to establish connections built on their shared experiences and sense of pride as Macquarie alumni.

Professor Rorden Wilkinson and Professor Taryn Jones get to know our enthusiastic Indonesian graduates.

Matt Monkhouse, Regional Director South East Asia (left) with Victor Osman, Indonesian Alumni Network leader.

Prior to the alumni network launch in Jakarta, Macquarie’s representatives also connected with the University’s Hong Kong alumni. Established in 1999, the Hong Kong alumni chapter has a thriving local presence comprising more than 6000 enthusiastic ambassadors for Macquarie University. As a hub of international business and trade, Macquarie’s business degrees feature strongly among Hong Kong alumni, with many prominent industry leaders among the chapter.

Members of Macquarie University’s Hong Kong Alumni Chapter, including President Anthony Chan (centre front).

Professor Wilkinson says it was a particularly productive visit for the Macquarie delegation, who not only relished in the chance to meet alumni but also participated in formal meetings with representatives of industry, government, education providers and partner institutions while in the two cities.

“Through this trip we were able to strengthen relationships and make new connections for the University,” Professor Wilkinson says. “We heard stories of student, staff and alumni achievements and we were able to share insights into the University’s plans to further enhance our reputation as leaders in global education.

“Our discussions included employment and internship opportunities, innovative educational delivery options, partnerships and scholarships. The team also attended in-country briefings delivered by our valued partners and agents, to inform our ongoing engagement with students in Indonesia and Hong Kong.”

The Macquarie Mongolian Alumni Meet-up event on 7 June brought together more than 60 graduates and current students from Mongolia in a highly anticipated gathering. The event provided a valuable opportunity for alumni to strengthen their connections, foster a sense of camaraderie, rekindle old friendships and forge new professional networks.

The University’s Mongolian alumni have grown in number over the years, with Macquarie Business School’s postgraduate degrees particularly popular among Mongolian students. The co-leaders of the Mongolian network, Sean Tsedenbaljir and Sophie Bayar, are both graduates of the Master of Banking and Finance.

Sean says being part of the group’s first formal event was a great milestone and helped strengthen the bond among Macquarie’s Mongolian alumni.

“None of it would have been possible without Macquarie’s amazing Alumni Relations team, who worked tirelessly to make this event happen,” Sean says.

Image: Mongolian alumni network leaders Sean Tsedenbaljir and Sophie Bayar

The positive feedback received from alumni on social media further underscored the impact of the event, with attendees sharing their experiences and expressing their appreciation for the opportunity to reconnect.

Melbourne’s alumni community consists of nearly 2500 members, making it one of the foundations of Macquarie’s vibrant alumni network. Attendees at the event showcased the diverse nature of our Melbourne alumni community. 

Alumni from various disciplines and graduating years came together, reflecting the exceptional talent nurtured by Macquarie over the years. Attendees included leading professionals in finance and business, arts, science and technology. This gathering not only exemplified the inclusive spirit of the Macquarie alumni community, but it also provided a unique opportunity for attendees to connect and network with peers from different industries and backgrounds.  

Susan Mills, Head of Alumni Relations (pictured above), welcomed all attendees and shared a campus update, including a new video of campus that no doubt evoked many memories. The event was a testament to the invaluable role of alumni engagement in fostering a stronger connection between alumni and the University. Macquarie staff also benefited from the event, as they had the chance to engage with alumni, gaining insights and experiences that contribute to the continuous growth and development of Macquarie and interest in future courses. The event received positive feedback on social media and in the event survey, with alumni sharing their experiences:  

“Thank you, Macquarie University, for organising this. My first event outside of Sydney, being able to connect with mates and listening to stories from the past years felt great. Looking forward to being part of this vibrant community.”  

“Such a great night and it was wonderful to meet so many alumni. The highlight for me was the pulse survey of MBA grads on their opinion of ‘Foundations of Management Thought!'”  

“An excellent evening and chance to meet with fellow alumni, put me down for the next meet-up!” 

Pictured below are some the alumni still deeply connected with the University, who attended on the night. 

Alessandra Daly-Sutton (left) graduated from Macquarie in 1988 with a Bachelor of Legal Studies and continues to work as a solicitor.

Julie Catanach (middle) graduated from Macquarie in 2007 with a Master of Applied Finance and previously served as a sessional lecturer for the same program. She had the opportunity to reconnect with some of her former students during the event.  Adrian Yap (right) graduated from Macquarie in 2001 with a Master of Applied Finance. He is one of the founders of the Victorian alumni network and is Head of Data Governance at ANZ Bank. 

Hong Hon (left) graduated from Macquarie in 2010 with a Master of Applied Finance. He serves as the network leader in Melbourne. 

Michelle Iscaro (right) graduated from Macquarie in 2018 with a Master of Applied Finance. She is also a network leader in Melbourne. 

It has been a busy time for Macquarie’s alumni networks with the recent announcement of Indonesia’s first alumni network and alumni network events held across Sydney, London, Hong Kong, Singapore and Seoul. Many more activities are planned for the Macquarie community to come together over the next month with our Global Leadership Program alumni gathering soon in Sydney, Shanghai, Melbourne, Jakarta and Hong Kong.

On 15 April, the Singapore Macquarie alumni chapter held its annual general meeting followed by a ‘Beer with the Boss’ mentoring event. They were joined by government representatives, current students and recent graduates, as well as Macquarie staff Hedda Paisley and Susan Mills.

Following the event, recent graduate Sarah Lim said, “I believe that our alumni community plays a crucial role in providing a platform for us to connect, network and collaborate with one another. The Macquarie University Singapore Alumni Chapter does just that and I’m grateful to be a part of this vibrant community.”

On 17 April, Seoul-based alumni came together with Macquarie staff including Jonathan Wylie, Vice-President, Strategy, Planning and Performance. A vibrant group of approximately 90 Macquarie alumni, which included Australian Government representatives, a growing base of young alumni and successful senior alumni gathered to build on a growing community in Korea. The group is passionate about its support for Macquarie and its relationship with the community, and is keen to work with Macquarie to develop more opportunities for both alumni and students.

For more information on Macquarie alumni networks, visit the University’s alumni page or join our LinkedIn group.

Justice Jagot graduated from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts with first class honours in 1987, before completing her Bachelor of Laws (Hons I) at the University of Sydney in 1990. She was admitted as a solicitor in 1991 and called to the NSW Bar in 2002.

Justice Jagot has served as a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia since 2008, with previous roles including partner at Mallesons Stephen Jaques (now King & Wood Mallesons), a barrister, judge of the NSW Land and Environment Court, Deputy President of the Copyright Tribunal and Additional Judge of the ACT Supreme Court.

For more than 80 years after its establishment in 1903, the High Court of Australia was comprised of only male Justices until 1987 when Mary Gaudron became the first woman to serve on the Court.

In another link with the University, former Chancellor of Macquarie from 1984-1993, the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG, served 13 years on the High Court of Australia from 1996 and was twice acting Chief Justice of Australia.

Once sworn in, Justice Jagot will be the 56^th Justice of the High Court and the seventh woman appointed. Justice Jagot will be the fourth female Justice currently serving the High Court, out of a total of seven Justices. She will commence her appointment on 17 October 2022 upon the retirement of the Honourable Justice Patrick Keane AC.

Justice Jagot will join the Chief Justice and fellow Justices in hearing some of the most complex and serious legal cases and appeals in the country.

References:

• pm.gov.au
• lawcouncil.asn.au
•  abc.net.au
• theguardian.com
•  theconversation.com

Macquarie alumni were invited to campus on 7 July to hear about research and innovations in hearing health. The day began with a forum in the Hearing Hub, followed by a hearing screening test, networking morning tea, and a campus tour with student ambassadors. Check out Snapped On for more details and photos.

The ever-busy Prashan Karunaratne from Macquarie Business School joined the Alumni team in Ho Chi Minh City to promote Macquarie to potential students and, while there, hosted a local gathering of the Alumni Network. We’re not sure whether Prashan or the alumni were luckier, everyone had a great time.

Next stop, Singapore

On 13 July the Vice-Chancellor was joined by Philanthropy Executive Director Hedda Paisley and Alumni Relations Head Susan Mills for the Vice-Chancellor’s Reception at the Andaz Singapore Hotel. Austrade Singapore VIPs, Trade and Investment Commissioner Amelia Walsh and Business Development Manager Cheryl Lee, joined members of the Macquarie University Australian Alumni Singapore Chapter, including the #MQAlumni Singapore network leader Linda Lee and recent Singaporean graduates, who were supported by the Singapore alumni community when borders were closed. When the newest group of Singaporean alumni graduate in August, they will be meeting the Singapore student society to share the value of the global alumni community.

Vice-Chancellor Professor S. Bruce Dowton speaks with attendees at the Vice-Chancellor’s Reception

Then on to Hanoi
Lurion De Mello from the Macquarie Business School was on hand in Hanoi to host the Alumni Network event on 15 July during his busy 9-day trip to Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand. Lurion was joined by 15 local alumni, some of whom were former students who introduced him to a local delicacy Lurion says is amazing: egg coffee… We’ll have to take your word on that, Lurion!

Last stop, Seoul

Rounding out the busy month, the Korea Alumni Network meet-up was held on 18 July at the Four Seasons Seoul. What was originally planned as an intimate invite-only gathering for 30 received such enthusiasm from the Korea network leader Dr Man Ki Kim and the local alumni community, that the venue was changed to accommodate 77 alumni. Macquarie was represented by Hedda Paisley, who travelled to Seoul from the Singapore Alumni event, and Matthew Monkhouse, Regional Director South-East Asia, International Operations.

One of the lucky door prize winners, Sang Won Lee, accepting an MQ Bear from Matthew Monkhouse

Now we can listen in to that imaginary dinner conversation. Introducing Leading Lights – the University’s new platform for video conversations with high-impact Macquarie alumni.

While The Lighthouse has built a reputation for showcasing the many ways in which our research community makes a difference in solving some of the biggest challenges of society, this week we launch a new page demonstrating how our high-impact alumni influence our world.

At once generous, honest and insightful, our launch trio of high achievers share their Macquarie-driven path to success with former broadcast journalist Sandra Odorisio in a series which is shaping up to be a highlight of the platform.

“Leading Lights is a video interview series collaboration between The Lighthouse and the Macquarie Alumni program,” says Susan Mills, Head of Alumni Relations. “It’s designed to showcase conversations with our graduates who are having high impact on our world in fields as diverse as business, the law, emergency services and publishing.

“With a community of over 215,000 across 140 countries, growing by close to 10,000 each year, the depth, diversity and reach of our alumni is a true reflection of Macquarie’s impact on the wider community.”

Light up your life

	Sharing a highly personal reflection on life, love and the law, the Hon. Justice Michael Kirby shares memories of his years as Chancellor at Macquarie, his experience of hiding his sexuality in 1970s Australia and the story of the great love of his life, a partnership that has endured for the past 50 years.
	Social psychologist and beloved media columnist Hugh Mackay talks to fellow psychologist and Macquarie Professor of Cognitive Science Amanda Barnier about how the catastrophic bushfires of pre-pandemic Australia inspired his latest book The Kindness Revolution
	Pioneering geologist Dr Abigail Allwood shares her insights as the first woman and first Australian to lead an investigation on the NASA Mars Rover Mission.

Up next

In coming weeks, Leading Lights will feature conversations with blockbuster author Liane Moriarty, former NSW Fire Commissioner Greg Mullins and former ABC Foreign Correspondent, Four Corners reporter and 60 Minutes legend Jeff McMullen.

Be the first to know: Subscribe to the Lighthouse

NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover is one of the most ambitious (and expensive) space exploration missions humans have ever attempted.

This Thursday at 3:55 p.m. EST [Friday 7.55am Sydney time], the three-metre long robot is expected to complete its 192 million kilometre journey from Earth and touch down on the red planet, where it will spend at least one Mars year (aka two Earth years) collecting and storing rock and soil samples that could be collected and returned to earth by future Mars missions.

Onboard the rover are seven instruments that will be testing completely new technology and conducting unprecedented science. One of those is the Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry, or PIXL. And PIXL’s principal investigator? None other than Macquarie alumna Dr Abigail Allwood – aka the first female (and first Australian) principal investigator on a NASA Mars mission.

^{Dr Allwood (right) accepts her 2018 Macquarie University Alumni Award for Science and Technology at the NASA jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.}  

Dr Allwood completed her PhD in Earth Science at Macquarie in 2006, under the supervision of Emeritus Professor Malcolm Walter – himself a respected international authority on the earliest geological formations in our solar system.

Professor Walter is following the Mars mission with great interest, and is particularly proud to see his former student playing such an important role in this pivotal moment in science.

“Abby was an outstanding PhD student,” he recalls. “She worked in the Pilbara, studying 3.4 billion-year-old microbial reef deposits [known as stromatolites] that are some of the oldest evidence of life on Earth, and showed that it formed in a marine environment. It was partly because of Abby’s work that the Pilbarra was recognised as being comparable to early Mars and attracted the attention of scientists from several space agencies, including NASA.

“In being in charge of this instrument on the lander, Abby is contributing to the search for life on Mars – perhaps our best current opportunity to determine whether there is or was life beyond Earth. I am very proud of her achievements.”

The University wishes Dr Allwood and her team the best of luck for a successful mission.  You can follow the Mars Perseverance landing at https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/

Learn more about Dr Allwood in The Atlantic’s profile ‘Can Abigail Allwood find life on Mars?’

If there was one word that kept coming up at the 2019 Macquarie University Alumni Awards, it was ‘proud’.

Many of the winners – who were recognised for their excellence and global impact in industries ranging from biotechnology to social enterprise – spoke of their pride as they were presented with their awards by Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton on 22 November.

‘I am proud to carry the Macquarie name and am grateful for the opportunities that I received and continue to receive from Macquarie,’ said Medicine and Health winner Dr Dharmica Mistry.

And of course, there was great pride in return, as Professor David Wilkinson, Deputy-Vice Chancellor (Engagement) noted.

“The extraordinary achievements of our alumni are endlessly fascinating, and they are a great inspiration to the rest of our University community,” he said. “I’m so proud of their commitment to the institution – the level of engagement in the University from the alumni I meet is really notable.”

Congratulations to the 2019 Macquarie University Alumni Award winners.

ARTS AND CULTURE

Liane Moriarty 
Master of Arts, 2003
Best-selling author

Liane Moriarty is the author of eight internationally bestselling novels and her books have sold more than 14 million copies worldwide. Her first novel Three Wishes was written as part of her Masters degree study at Macquarie University:

‘I always remember standing outside Marcelle Freiman’s office and seeing the book covers on her office door,” Liane says. “They were books that had been written by her former students and I dreamed of having my own cover on her door one day.”

Moriarty was the first Australian author to have a novel debut at number one on the New York Times bestseller list with her 2014 novel Big Little Lies, which was adapted into an Emmy award winning HBO television series.

EDUCATION

Distinguished Professor Marcia Langton AM
PhD, 2005
Associate Provost, University of Melbourne

A prominent public intellectual, Distinguished Professor Marcia Langton AM has produced a large body of knowledge in the areas of political and legal anthropology, Indigenous agreements and engagement with the minerals industry, and Indigenous culture and art.

She has received numerous awards, including the Order of Australia in 1993. She has been elected as a fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and named as one of Australia’s top 40 public intellectuals.

Her PhD thesis at Macquarie University applied phenomenological theory to the study of Aboriginal peoples of the eastern Cape York Peninsula.

INNOVATION AND ENTERPRISE

Elizabeth Gaines 
Master of Applied Finance, 1997
Chief Executive Officer, Fortescue Metals Group

A highly experienced business leader, Elizabeth Gaines has a proven track record in financial and operational leadership across a number of industries, including resources, construction and infrastructure, financial services, and travel and hospitality.

After joining Fortescue as a non-executive director in 2013, she was appointed chief financial officer in 2017 and executive director in 2018.

INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT

Bradley Jakeman 
Bachelor of Arts, 1989
Founder and managing partner of Rethink Food

Bradley Jakeman is the founder and managing partner of Rethink Food, a social impact venture firm that invests in entrepreneurs in the food system.

A former president of PepsiCo Global Beverage Group, Jakeman’s career has spanned fashion, financial services, entertainment and packaged goods. The Australian dubbed him one of the top 20 people shaping global media and AdWeek included him in the top five of the most indispensable executives in tech, media and marketing for two years in a row.

Jakeman currently serves on the boards of The Humane Society and Reporters without Borders. He is also co-chair of the board of the LGBT Community Center in New York.

MEDICINE AND HEALTH

Dr Dharmica Mistry 
PhD, 2014
Co-founder and Chief Scientist, BCAL Diagnostics

At Australian biotechnology company BCAL Diagnostics, Dr Dharmica Mistry is developing a revolutionary blood test for the detection of breast cancer – technology that was born from her PhD work at Macquarie. Mistry is also Medtech Program Manager at Cicada Innovations, nurturing the medical innovation ecosystem and mentoring other researchers to commercialise their ideas.

In 2015 Mistry was awarded Young Scientist of the Year. The following year she was named Australian Financial Review Boss Magazine’s Young Executive of the Year in Australia, as well as NSW Young Woman of the Year, having been nominated by former Minister of Health, Jillian Skinner.

PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

Greg Mullins AO AFSM 
Master of Management, 2000
Former Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive Officer, NSW Fire Brigades

Greg Mullins retired in 2017 as the longest-serving commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW for more than a century. He was the first person in the history of the FRNSW to be appointed as both chief fire officer and chief executive officer, and to have come from within the ranks of the organisation.

During his time as commissioner, Mullins he implemented a range of operational, governance and cultural reforms, including 50/50 male/female recruitment, an Indigenous employment pathway, introduction of water-saving compressed air foam systems, robotics, drones and real-time satellite tracking/dispatch of fire engines.

In 2018, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia. He is currently chair of the NSW Ambulance Advisory Council; a councillor on the Climate Council; a fellow of the Institution of Fire Engineers and the Institute of Managers and Leaders in Australia; and an active volunteer firefighter, having re-joined Terrey Hills Rural Fire Brigade upon retirement.

RISING STAR

Joshua Ross 
Bachelor of Applied Finance with Bachelor of Commerce, 2011
Co-founder and director of Humantix

Humanitix is a not-for-profit ticketing platform that directs 100 per cent of profits from booking fees towards education projects, such as literacy programs for young girls. Humanitix is backed by Google and Atlassian and is one of Australia’s fastest-growing social enterprises, beingh names in the top 20 of Westpac’s Businesses of Tomorrow.

In 2018, Ross and his business partner Adam McCurdie were named Social Entrepreneurs of the Year at the Third Sector Awards, and in 2019, Humanitix was awarded the NSW Premier’s Medal – the first time a social enterprise has done so.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Dr Larry Marshall 
Bachelor of Science (Hons), 1985; PhD, 1990
CEO, CSIRO

As Chief Executive of Australia’s national science agency, Dr Larry Marshall is applying his wealth of experience as a scientist, technology innovator and business leader to create new value and impact with science.

Dr Marshall received his PhD in physics from Macquarie University and went on to become global leader in laser research, inventing the ‘eye-safe’ laser (which enabled lasers to be used safely in public) and the world’s first solid-state green laser for the treatment of blindness in diabetics.

He has 100 publications and conference papers, holds 20 patents and has served on 20 boards of high-tech companies operating in the United States, Australia and China. He is a male champion of change who is committed to tackling gender equality.

SPORT

Tina McKenzie 
Bachelor of Arts with Diploma of Education, 2011
Three-time Paralympian in wheelchair basketball

As a member of the Australian women’s wheelchair basketball team – the Gliders – Tina McKenzie won a silver medal at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing and a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London.

After becoming an incomplete paraplegic as a result of a fall in 1994, McKenzie took up wheelchair tennis and basketball.  She joined the Gliders in 1999 and has more than 200 international caps.

McKenzie has sat on the board of directors for Disability Sport and Recreation, Victoria, and has volunteered as a mentor and camp coordinator for the organisation. She has also worked as a teacher in Sydney and in learning and development at Allianz Australia. She now works in Inclusion and Engagement at the University of Canberra.

Last week the University recognised a special group of people who have made significant national or global contributions in their fields – as well as recognising some of our rising stars – at the 2018 Macquarie University Alumni Awards.

Eric Daro, Director of Individual Giving in the Office of Advancement – which manages alumni relations – says the awards allow the University to shine a light on the collective impact of our graduate community.

“Alumni are the lifeblood of any university, and Macquarie’s alumni define us as an institution,” Eric says. “It’s important to celebrate achievements of alumni – large and small – to encourage, support and celebrate the impact our Macquarie community has locally, nationally and internationally.”

Logie-winning comedian Adam Hills, whose impact on arts and culture was recognised at the awards, says Macquarie was an excellent place from which to head out into the world.

“The last time I drove past Macquarie, it made me think how far I’d come and how much of what I’d learned there was still with me,” Hills says. “It was a time to find out who I really was, and it gave me the confidence to try comedy.”

Many of the award winners point to the unique interdisciplinary education and perspective they gained at Macquarie as being an important factor in their success.

NSW Member of Parliament, the Hon. Rob Stokes, MP, was recognised for his contribution to the environment.

“As an early proponent of interdisciplinarity in education, Macquarie powerfully influenced my contribution at the intersection of law, education, environment and planning,” says Stokes, who is the State Member for Pittwater.

Biomolecular scientist and 2017 Australian of the Year Professor Alan Mackay-Sim was recognised for his ground-breaking work in the treatment of spinal cord injuries. He says he chose Macquarie because it was the only university that allowed to him to combine his diverse interests.

“I was interested in physiology, biology and psychology – what is known as neuroscience now – but back then, it wasn’t a subject as such,” recalls Professor Mackay-Sim. “It was a great decision because, although I moved away from psychology, it gave me really good training in experimental design and statistics.”

Bruce Gosper, the Australian High Commissioner to Singapore and former CEO of Austrade, says that while his work puts him in contact with some of the world’s most powerful people, there is something particularly special about meeting up with fellow Macquarie alumni.

“Macquarie’s alumni events bring 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.”

Congratulations to our 2018 Alumni Award winners

If you’d like to nominate a Macquarie graduate for next year’s Alumni Awards, you can find information on how to nominate on the alumni website.