Beacon Bulletin, May 2024 Edition

Griffith alumnus to lead Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry?

From the heights of Mt Everest to Chair of the Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry, Joshua Creamer (B Laws/B Arts '09, GDip Legal Practice, Skills & Ethics '09) continues to break new ground in indigenous community leadership. The Inquiry aims to document colonisation's effects on First Nations, prioritise ethical conduct through free, prior, and informed consent, raise public awareness, enhance education about First Nations cultures, and contribute to the Treaty-making process by providing recommendations. Joshua is Waanyi and Kalkadoon with connections to Northwest Queensland and is a current Commissioner in the Queensland Law Reform Commission; Chair of the Bar Association of Queensland, Indigenous Affairs Committee, Chair of the 澳大利亚格里菲斯大学 Elders and First Peoples Knowledge Holders Advisory Board and member of the Griffith University Council. Congratulations Josh on this important appointment.??

Read more here: Inquiry and Institute members appointed

Yolonda leading the way from the top of Australia?

Congratulations to Yolonda Adams (Doctor of Philosophy '23), on her appointment as the new Deputy Commissioner of Northern Territory Department of Corrections (Northern Territory Correctional Services). A proud Larrakia woman, Yolonda's extensive experience and academic achievements in NT corrections and health make her an invaluable asset to the team. Yolanda recently completed her PhD research with 澳大利亚格里菲斯大学 , focusing on the prison social climate for Aboriginal prisoners in the NT. She is a published author and expert on issues affecting Aboriginal health, mental health, and prison services.?

Read more here: Appointment Announcement

Gold for Alyce in the women’s K1 1000m?

Congratulations to Alyce Wood OLY (B Communication (OUA) '15, MBA '18) claiming gold in the women’s K1 1000m at the Canoe Sprint World Cup Szedged 2024. The 2017 world champion, who became a mother in 2022, clocked 3:55.96 to take the win. Alyce has previously represented Australia at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics.?

Read more: Alyce transitions from mum to Olympic athlete?

Entrepreneurial accolades continue to reign for Mannu??

As the Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur of the Year recipient for the past two years, Mannu Kala (MA Journalism & Mass Comn '10, M Arts and Media '12) has just received national recognition in the Top 100 Entrepreneurs list by Business News Australia.?With offices now on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Delhi, Mannu’s KnG Group has expanded into new verticals including home care, cyber security, education, and technology. Congratulations Mannu!

Read more here: Australia's Top 100 Young Entrepreneurs

?Six-figure sale accelerates Jeremy’s entrepreneurial successes??

Congratulations to Jeremy Hartley (B Business '16) for his recent business sale that has yielded seven figures, marking a significant milestone in his entrepreneurial journey. Jeremy was always interested in building his brand from scratch and began his business journey while still studying at 澳大利亚格里菲斯大学 . We applaud Jeremy for his hard work and entrepreneurial vision, wishing him continued success in all his future endeavours.?

Read more: Young Gold Coasters yield 7 figures?

Spotted on campus!

We were thrilled to spot Penelope Twemlow (GCert Risk Management '11) back on campus to discuss the opportunities and challenges for Defence in the future. Thank you Penelope for helping to educate and inspire the next generation of Griffith graduates. Penelope is a Management Executive for the Royal Australian Navy , and a Senior Director for Ashurst.??

Learn more here: Opportunities and challenges for Defence in the future

Support Griffith staff and alumni in the 2024 CEO Sleepout?

In June this year, PVC (Business) Professor Caitlin Byrne will be joined by Professor Luis Cabrera , Professor Alberto Posso , alumnus, Walsh Accountants, Alvin Yap (GBS Double Degree Program '19, D Languages '19) and alumnus, Director, Accounts Advantage, Krish Ravipati, CPA (GCert Commerce '09), to represent Griffith Business School at the Vinnies CEO Sleepout . This year the Griffith Business School team have a fundraising target of $16,000.??

Click here to support the team!

Inaugural First Nations Fellowship recipient??

Congratulations to Dylan Sarra (B Contemp Aust Indigenous Art '21, B Visual Arts (Honours) '22) who was announced as the inaugural recipient of the Queensland Museum First Nations Fellowship. Dylan Sarra is a Gooreng Gooreng artist. Hear Dylan share childhood memories, his connection to country, the important roles women have played in his life, and his profound experiences of working with the Burnett River rocks on the Blak Minds podcast.

Listen to the podcast here: First Nations Artist Dylan Sarra

Art exhibition blooms in Everton Park?

Congratulations to Renata Buziak (B Photography '06, B Photography (Hons) '07, Doctor of Philosophy '16) on the launch of her exhibition, Floras of Gondwanan Heritage, this month in Beaudesert. The artworks can be viewed in the Everton Park Library, and entry is complimentary. Renata is pictured with Aqua understory from her Granite Belt wildflowers series, and three textiles from the Gondwanan Biochromes series.

Learn more here: renatabuziak.com?

Griffith alumni in the limelight?

• Chris Pepping (B Psychological Science '09) has shared his latest research about happiness as a long-term single. Published on The Conversation, read the story here: Would you be happy as a long-term single??
• John Peran (B Business '19) was recently awarded Winner – Outstanding Manager of the Year in the Cleaning Industry at the Building Service Contractors Association of Australia Ltd (BSCAA) Excellence Awards. Congratulations John!??

• Associate Professor Adele Pavlidis (BArts '07, BArts (Hons) '09, Doctor of Philosophy '13) has received an Australian Research Council Discovery Grant exploring ways to engage people who are traditionally ‘outside’ or feel like they don’t belong in sport. Watch this short video to learn more?
• Dr Nora Amath (Doctor of Philosophy '14) has been appointed Executive Director of the Islamphobia Register Australia. Nora is an expert community developer and sociologist whose research focuses on multiculturalism, social inclusion, diversity, leadership and community development. Read more about Nora’s distinguished career?

• Aurelie Maron 's (B Digital Media '12) love of lettering has led to a thriving career. Read more about Aurelie’s journey from New Caledonia to QCAD and beyond here: Read more about Aurelie’s journey from New Caledonia to QCAD and beyond

• Daniel Horrocks (B Environmental Science '23) is committed to preserving native vegetation, addressing climate change challenges and engaging communities in environmental education. Read more about his impactful work with the Department of Resources (Queensland)
• Luciana Albuquerque Gissing (MA Visual Arts '15) is kicking career goals as the Experience Design Director at Deloitte Digital in Los Angeles where she has worked with clients including 谷歌 , 苹果 , Disney, and 索尼 . Read more here: Humans of Griffith

• Dr Jan-Olaf Meynecke (Doctor of Philosophy '08) was part of a research expedition earlier this year to track humpback whales using suction tags collecting data on swim speed, dive profiles, direction, sound and vision in the deep waters off the Gulf of Mexico that plunge down to 3000m depths. Read more here: Griffith News

• John Mula OAM (BSc (Environment) '80) joins Aspire2 Edu as their QLD Education Expert Advisor. John has a distinguished career and was recognised with an Order of Australia Medal in 2021 for services to Australian Catholic Education in the Queen’s Birthday Honors. Read more here: Read John’s appointment announcement?
• Claire Crossley (B Engineering Hon Elec Biomed Engineering'18) is zeroing in on the biomechanics of semi-recumbent cycling in healthy individuals and finding optimal strategies for electrical stimulation during semi-recumbent cycling. Read more about her important work in the BioSpine team

• Juliet Bell 's (B Business/B Digital Media '18) greatest passion is creating unique events for Porsche Cars Australia Centre Gold Coast. Read more about Juliet’s journey in the fast lane

• Dr Ryan Nugent (B Medicine/B Surgery '11), a specialist ophthalmologist interested in all aspects of general ophthalmology, cataract, and oculoplastics has recently joined Southside Eye Centre . Read more about Dr Nugent’s professional career and subspecialty training

• Julien M. (GCert Aviation Management '21, M Aviation Management '24) recently presented a TEDx Talk about the impact of women in aviation. Julien seeks to inspire others to pursue excellence in their personal and professional lives. Watch his TEDx Talk

Want more news???

Keep an eye out for the Griffith Alumni eNewsletter hitting inboxes on Thursday 30 May. Email [email protected] if you want to be added to the mailing list.???

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