Meet our 2014 USQ Alumnus of the Year Finalists

We’re so proud of our USQ graduates and enjoy celebrating their success.

Presenting the Alumnus of the Year Awards gives us the opportunity to acknowledge some amazing achievements and share our #usqpride!

Dr Georges UlrichProfessor at the University of Zurich, lecturer for strategic management and Director of the Federal Department of Statistics in Switzerland.

Master of Business Administration, 2004 and Doctor of Business Administration, 2008

• Starting out with a Bachelor’s degree in Switzerland, Dr Ulrich continued to carry out his Master of Business Administration and Doctor of Business Administration at USQ.

• Dr Ulrich managed to obtain his doctorate while working as the Managing Director of GFS Research Institute.

David KloedenAssessing the effectiveness of tax administration in countries at all levels of development.

Bachelor of Business, 1979

• He has had a stellar career in the field of administration of government tax and customs revenues.

• David gained expertise by working in many countries including Albania, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

• David recently became head of the unit in charge of a new analytic system – the Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool for the IMF.

INTERNATIONALAlumnus of the Year Finalists

Ashleigh CampbellInstrumental in supporting the burgeoning art scene in Toowoomba.

Bachelor of Visual Arts, 2008

• Responsible for sparking an ‘arts renaissance’ with her passion for art and organisation of events in Toowoomba.

• She leads several teams across the region to deliver quality arts and cultural experiences to the Darling Downs.

• Ashleigh works on many projects in a volunteer capacity in her spare time and is passionate about regional arts.

David BurtonInfluencing the theatre arts sector with his writing, editing, directing and advocacy for emerging artists.

Bachelor of Theatre Arts, 2007

• Distinguished young playwright and arts advocate in Queensland.

• David has managed to produce an enormous amount of material that is considered innovative and enabling in the arts sector.

• Co-directed USQ’s 2013 Shakespeare in the Park Festival, featuring A Winter’s Tale.

• David recently won the 2014 Text Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing with his memoir, How to be Happy.

YOUNGAlumnus of the Year Finalists

Aletha WardContinuing to make a significant impact on Queensland Health.

Bachelor of Nursing, 2003

• Formed the Ipswich & West Moreton Health Pathways Alliance in 2011, which has helped 70 students per year in the Ipswich area transition from school to health care.

• After becoming Director of Clinical Workforce Pathways Alliance, Aletha ensured communities have had access to clinical health and training.

• She is also studying her Master of Science at USQ with the goal of completing her PhD.

Mel DunnOne of Australia’s top business leaders.

Bachelor of Teaching – Further Education and Training, 1998

• Vice-President at URS, a world-leading engineering and construction Fortune 300 Company, with over 55,000 staff members and a turnover in excess of $10 billion.

• Over 20 years’ experience in education, training, development and foreign aid sectors.

• Mel pursues his academic passion as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Political Sciences and International Studies at UQ.

PROFESSIONALAlumnus of the Year Finalists

Ricky MeadInspiring and empowering young people across the world.

Bachelor of General Education Studies, 2008

• Ricky is the director of an international charitable organisation that helps educate thousands of people in Australia and South Sudan.

• His projects in South Sudan encompass a wide range of services including training traditional midwives and introducing mobile education.

• Ricky has been helping young people across the world through his volunteer work at youth shelters, organisations and charities.

Gitie HousePromoting peace and harmony throughout South West Queensland.

Graduate Diploma of Information Processing, 1979

• In 2001, Gitie left her career in IT to concentrate on a variety of projects aimed at creating peace and harmony in a diverse world.

• Through her tireless efforts, she has made significant contributions to increasing cross-cultural understanding in the Toowoomba region.

• Gitie is currently President of the Toowoomba International Multicultural Society, which offers a broad range of cultural projects.

COMMUNITY SERVICEAlumnus of the Year Finalists

Irene McBrideShowing the Indigenous community that if she can study at 60, anyone can!

Master of Education, 2007

• Irene is a proud Butchella Elder from Hervey Bay.

• After raising her own children as a single mother, she pursued her dream of becoming a school teacher.

• Irene was the first Aboriginal teacher at St Michaels Catholic School on Palm Island.

• After 20 years of teaching, she finished a postgraduate degree in Education.

Deanne HellstenAt the forefront of improving Indigenous mental health.

Master of Mental Health – Nursing, 2004 and Master of Health – Research, 2010

• Deanne is the Nursing Director/Program Manager for the Mental Health Service Group, Townsville Hospital & Health Service.

• She has gained admiration from her peers for her dedication to the continuous improvement of understanding cultural mental health.

• Currently, Deanne is completing her PhD in Philosophy with USQ.

INDIGENOUS SERVICEAlumnus of the Year Finalists

Milton ChengAdvocating a high level of enthusiasm and passion for promoting USQ’s Alumni Network in Hong Kong.

Bachelor of Business, 1993

• Milton became the USQ Hong Kong Alumni Chapter Chair in 2010.

• Since then he has grew the Chapter into one of the most active alumni chapters for USQ and it now boasts more than 80 members.

• Over the past four years, Milton and his committee have successfully held and participated in more than 40 alumni social, sporting and networking activities.

• Before starting his own business, Milton worked as the Vice-President for an American company, he was an Asian Financial Controller based in Hong Kong and then joined Manulife (International) for a few years.

• In 2010, Milton was recognised for his professional efforts and won the SCMP/IFPHK Financial Planner Awards.

• Milton is well-liked and respected by his Chapter Committee peers and is known for his great attitude, dedication and excellent leadership skills.

CHAPTER VOLUNTEERAlumnus of the Year

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alumni@usq.edu.au

Keep in touch with us!

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Are you our next USQ Alumnus of the Year?Make sure you keep in touch with us after you graduate; we would love to hear from you.

Also, check out our ‘7 great reasons to stay connected to USQ’ www.slideshare.net/usqedu/7-great-reasons-to-stay-connected-with-us