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Jules Allen — Public Speaker Media Figure. DEGREE: Bachelor of Social Science, graduated 2009. NOW: Jules was the 2017 SCU Alumnus of the Year, and is an award-winning youth advocate and 2013 MasterChef contestant. She has used her own experience with childhood sexual abuse as a “springboard for positive change” through fostering more than 30 kids and working in child protection. She is the face of Australian charities like Adopt Change and Foster Care Australia, and also works abroad with anti-human trafficking organisations in Cambodia. Picture: Mike Dugdale
1/18Jules Allen — Public Speaker Media Figure. DEGREE: Bachelor of Social Science, graduated 2009. NOW: Jules was the 2017 SCU Alumnus of the Year, and is an award-winning youth advocate and 2013 MasterChef contestant. She has used her own experience with childhood sexual abuse as a “springboard for positive change” through fostering more than 30 kids and working in child protection. She is the face of Australian charities like Adopt Change and Foster Care Australia, and also works abroad with anti-human trafficking organisations in Cambodia. Picture: Mike Dugdale
Dr Andy Walshe — High Performance Consultant. DEGREE: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), graduated 1998. NOW: Dr Walsh is a globally recognised leader and expert in elite human performance, current the Director of High Performance for Red Bull, where he managed “Red Bull Stratos”, leading the performance plan for their record-breaking stratosphere jump to Earth in 2012. He currently works with hundreds of international athletes and cultural opinion leaders and supervises a team of industry professionals.
2/18Dr Andy Walshe — High Performance Consultant. DEGREE: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), graduated 1998. NOW: Dr Walsh is a globally recognised leader and expert in elite human performance, current the Director of High Performance for Red Bull, where he managed “Red Bull Stratos”, leading the performance plan for their record-breaking stratosphere jump to Earth in 2012. He currently works with hundreds of international athletes and cultural opinion leaders and supervises a team of industry professionals.
Shelley Watts — Junior Lawyer, Boxer. DEGREE: Bachelor of Human Movement Science, Bachelor of Laws, graduated 2017. NOW: Shelley was the first female boxer to win a Commonwealth Gold Medal in the women’s 60kg division in Glasgow 2014. She is now a practising lawyer in Port Macquarie and made her Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Games, after finishing 2nd at the Asia/Oceania Qualifiers earlier that year. She was Australia’s only female boxer at the Rio Olympics. Picture: Alex Coppel.
3/18Shelley Watts — Junior Lawyer, Boxer. DEGREE: Bachelor of Human Movement Science, Bachelor of Laws, graduated 2017. NOW: Shelley was the first female boxer to win a Commonwealth Gold Medal in the women’s 60kg division in Glasgow 2014. She is now a practising lawyer in Port Macquarie and made her Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Games, after finishing 2nd at the Asia/Oceania Qualifiers earlier that year. She was Australia’s only female boxer at the Rio Olympics. Picture: Alex Coppel.
John Lee — Founder of “You Have A Friend” charity. DEGREE: Bachelor of Social Science, graduated 2015. NOW: John founded the Tweed Heads homeless charity “You Have A Friend” in 2009, which now provides 300 meals a week and seeks to provide affordable housing for those sleeping rough. The retired software engineer also organises annual sleep-out events to raise money and awareness for the cause. He was a finalist in the 2012 National Pride of Australia medal.
4/18John Lee — Founder of “You Have A Friend” charity. DEGREE: Bachelor of Social Science, graduated 2015. NOW: John founded the Tweed Heads homeless charity “You Have A Friend” in 2009, which now provides 300 meals a week and seeks to provide affordable housing for those sleeping rough. The retired software engineer also organises annual sleep-out events to raise money and awareness for the cause. He was a finalist in the 2012 National Pride of Australia medal.
Dr Gregory P Smith — Author Academic. DEGREE: Bachelor of Social Science, graduated with honours 2011, Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD), graduated 2016. NOW: Dr Smith went from an abusive childhood to living homeless for 10 years to achieving two university degrees as one of the “Forgotten Australians”. Following the release of his memoir “Out of the Forest” last year he has appeared at events around the country and on the ABC’S Australian Story.
5/18Dr Gregory P Smith — Author Academic. DEGREE: Bachelor of Social Science, graduated with honours 2011, Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD), graduated 2016. NOW: Dr Smith went from an abusive childhood to living homeless for 10 years to achieving two university degrees as one of the “Forgotten Australians”. Following the release of his memoir “Out of the Forest” last year he has appeared at events around the country and on the ABC’S Australian Story.
Samantha Gowing — Wellness Chef. DEGREE: Le Cordon Bleu Master of Gastronomic Touism, graduated 2016. NOW: Samantha is a Le Cordon Bleu Master, chef and clinical nutritionist who founded Gowings Food Health Wealth, a global wellness solutions company, in 1999. Samantha teaches participants in hands-on “Food as Medicine” workshops and executive Surf Spa Food events. She also creates culinary programs for luxury hotels, spas and health retreats around the world. Her mentoring programs help food and health entrepreneurs using her marketing methods.
6/18Samantha Gowing — Wellness Chef. DEGREE: Le Cordon Bleu Master of Gastronomic Touism, graduated 2016. NOW: Samantha is a Le Cordon Bleu Master, chef and clinical nutritionist who founded Gowings Food Health Wealth, a global wellness solutions company, in 1999. Samantha teaches participants in hands-on “Food as Medicine” workshops and executive Surf Spa Food events. She also creates culinary programs for luxury hotels, spas and health retreats around the world. Her mentoring programs help food and health entrepreneurs using her marketing methods.
Guido van Helton — Mural Artist. DEGREE: Bachelor of Visual Arts, graduated 2009. NOW: Guido is a famous Australian mural artist who has created more than 70 large-scale pieces on buildings and structures across the globe, including photorealistic murals on four Brim Silos and The Nations tower in Nashville. He recently transformed a ten-storey building at Southern Cross University’s Gold Coast campus into two lifelike figures overlooking North Kirra Beach. Picture: Dylan Coker
7/18Guido van Helton — Mural Artist. DEGREE: Bachelor of Visual Arts, graduated 2009. NOW: Guido is a famous Australian mural artist who has created more than 70 large-scale pieces on buildings and structures across the globe, including photorealistic murals on four Brim Silos and The Nations tower in Nashville. He recently transformed a ten-storey building at Southern Cross University’s Gold Coast campus into two lifelike figures overlooking North Kirra Beach. Picture: Dylan Coker
Karina Irby — Moana Bikini Founder. DEGREE: Diploma of Sport Management (Surfing Studies), graduated 2010. NOW: Karina began successful swimwear label Moana Bikini in 2011, designing her own swimwear and becoming a social media star with more than 1.5 million Instagram followers across her multiple platforms. She is also co-owner of Bikini Body Burn on the Gold Coast. Picture: John Gass
8/18Karina Irby — Moana Bikini Founder. DEGREE: Diploma of Sport Management (Surfing Studies), graduated 2010. NOW: Karina began successful swimwear label Moana Bikini in 2011, designing her own swimwear and becoming a social media star with more than 1.5 million Instagram followers across her multiple platforms. She is also co-owner of Bikini Body Burn on the Gold Coast. Picture: John Gass
Marion Charlton — COO of Gold Coast Airport. DEGREE: Master of Business Administration, graduated 2015. NOW: Marion is the Chief Operating Officer of Gold Coast Airport and an ambassador for the Gold Coast. She appears every year in The Gold Coast Bulletin’s annual Power 100 Awards for the top influential people on the Coast. Her previous roles included general manager of Commercial and Terminals at GCA, Senior Terminal Planner at Airbiz in Melbourne and Head of Brand Development, Business Manager, Passenger Facilitation Manager at Sydney Airport Corporation Limited. Photo: Steve Holland
9/18Marion Charlton — COO of Gold Coast Airport. DEGREE: Master of Business Administration, graduated 2015. NOW: Marion is the Chief Operating Officer of Gold Coast Airport and an ambassador for the Gold Coast. She appears every year in The Gold Coast Bulletin’s annual Power 100 Awards for the top influential people on the Coast. Her previous roles included general manager of Commercial and Terminals at GCA, Senior Terminal Planner at Airbiz in Melbourne and Head of Brand Development, Business Manager, Passenger Facilitation Manager at Sydney Airport Corporation Limited. Photo: Steve Holland
Lisa Messenger — CEO of Messenger Group. DEGREE: Bachelor of Business Tourism, graduated 1999. NOW: Lisa is an Australian entrepreneur and author, the owner and creative director of marketing for book publishing company Messenger Group, and launched Collective Hub as a magazine with no experience in 2013. It has since grown into an international multimedia business and lifestyle platform. She was named SCU’s 2009 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year. Picture: Alix Sweeney
10/18Lisa Messenger — CEO of Messenger Group. DEGREE: Bachelor of Business Tourism, graduated 1999. NOW: Lisa is an Australian entrepreneur and author, the owner and creative director of marketing for book publishing company Messenger Group, and launched Collective Hub as a magazine with no experience in 2013. It has since grown into an international multimedia business and lifestyle platform. She was named SCU’s 2009 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year. Picture: Alix Sweeney
Lucas Handley — Marine Scientist. DEGREE: Bachelor of Marine Science and Management, graduated 2015. NOW: Lucas is the founder of The Underwater Academy, and is a marine scientist, free diving instructor and photographer who filmed the documentary “Blue” about marine conservation. He hosted “Great Australian Bites”, a series exploring both sides of the shark conservation debate.
11/18Lucas Handley — Marine Scientist. DEGREE: Bachelor of Marine Science and Management, graduated 2015. NOW: Lucas is the founder of The Underwater Academy, and is a marine scientist, free diving instructor and photographer who filmed the documentary “Blue” about marine conservation. He hosted “Great Australian Bites”, a series exploring both sides of the shark conservation debate.
Phil Barton — Singer Songwriter. DEGREE: Bachelor of Arts, graduated 1995. NOW: Phil is an Aussie songwriter living in Nashville, who co-wrote the hit American Country Music release “A Woman Like You”, performed by Lee Brice. The song led to a Music Row Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year award and a “Ten Songs I Wish I’d Written” NSAI award. It is now certified double platinum. He has returned to SCU on numerous occasions to mentor students and run songwriting workshops. He is the APRA AMCOS Ambassador in Nashville.
12/18Phil Barton — Singer Songwriter. DEGREE: Bachelor of Arts, graduated 1995. NOW: Phil is an Aussie songwriter living in Nashville, who co-wrote the hit American Country Music release “A Woman Like You”, performed by Lee Brice. The song led to a Music Row Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year award and a “Ten Songs I Wish I’d Written” NSAI award. It is now certified double platinum. He has returned to SCU on numerous occasions to mentor students and run songwriting workshops. He is the APRA AMCOS Ambassador in Nashville.
Kristopher Simmons — Businessman. DEGREE: Bachelor of Business, graduated 2007. NOW: Kris is the managing director of Simmons Livingstone & Associates, established with his business partner in 2013. He now runs two businesses, an accounting practice and a financial planning practice in Hope Island. he was named in Business News Australia’s 40 Under 40 Top Young Entrepreneurs on the Gold Coast.
13/18Kristopher Simmons — Businessman. DEGREE: Bachelor of Business, graduated 2007. NOW: Kris is the managing director of Simmons Livingstone & Associates, established with his business partner in 2013. He now runs two businesses, an accounting practice and a financial planning practice in Hope Island. he was named in Business News Australia’s 40 Under 40 Top Young Entrepreneurs on the Gold Coast.
Steve Layt — President & CEO of Pizza Hut. DEGREE: Bachelor of Business, graduated 1997. NOW: Steve went from working in his local KFC in Grafton to becoming Director and CEO of Pizza Hut International. He has Global Fortune 500 experience and executes initiatives in China, Spain, France, Australia and the UK. He was previously President of Applebee’s Grill and Bar chain, and in 2014 received the NSW Premier’s Award for his involvement with the Grafton SES team that aided those in the Cowper bus crash in 1989.
14/18Steve Layt — President & CEO of Pizza Hut. DEGREE: Bachelor of Business, graduated 1997. NOW: Steve went from working in his local KFC in Grafton to becoming Director and CEO of Pizza Hut International. He has Global Fortune 500 experience and executes initiatives in China, Spain, France, Australia and the UK. He was previously President of Applebee’s Grill and Bar chain, and in 2014 received the NSW Premier’s Award for his involvement with the Grafton SES team that aided those in the Cowper bus crash in 1989.
Benaiah Newton OAM — Paralympian Gold Medalist. DEGREE: Bachelor of Psychology, graduated with honours 2010. NOW: Ben was part of the gold medal winning wheelchair rugby team at the 2012 London Paralympics, and has also represented NSW in wheelchair rugby. He now works as an athlete and anti-discrimination advocate, and is the Disability Discrimination Act Community Engagement Officer at Queensland Rail.
15/18Benaiah Newton OAM — Paralympian Gold Medalist. DEGREE: Bachelor of Psychology, graduated with honours 2010. NOW: Ben was part of the gold medal winning wheelchair rugby team at the 2012 London Paralympics, and has also represented NSW in wheelchair rugby. He now works as an athlete and anti-discrimination advocate, and is the Disability Discrimination Act Community Engagement Officer at Queensland Rail.
Sarah Beardmore — Pro Surfer. DEGREE: Bachelor of Business Administration, graduated 2011. NOW: Sarah is a professional surfer and entrepreneur who has won European, British and English surfing titles. She is the co-founder of Dorsal, a crowdsourced shark reporting and alerting platform, and founder of Nown, a crowdsourced global directory app connecting like -minded people, places and things.
16/18Sarah Beardmore — Pro Surfer. DEGREE: Bachelor of Business Administration, graduated 2011. NOW: Sarah is a professional surfer and entrepreneur who has won European, British and English surfing titles. She is the co-founder of Dorsal, a crowdsourced shark reporting and alerting platform, and founder of Nown, a crowdsourced global directory app connecting like -minded people, places and things.
Scott Aplin — Musical Director for The Voice. DEGREE: Bachelor of Arts, graduated 1999. NOW: Scott has been the music director for The Voice Australia since its beginnings in 2012. He is also the music director for new ABC TV series “The Recording Studio”, and has worked as a professional musician and a producer/songwriter for ABC Kids.
17/18Scott Aplin — Musical Director for The Voice. DEGREE: Bachelor of Arts, graduated 1999. NOW: Scott has been the music director for The Voice Australia since its beginnings in 2012. He is also the music director for new ABC TV series “The Recording Studio”, and has worked as a professional musician and a producer/songwriter for ABC Kids.
Dermot O’Gorman - CEO World Wildlife Fund for Nature. DEGREE: Associate Diploma in Applied Science, graduated 1988. NOW: Dermot is the CEO of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature where he supports the Board and Governors in the strategic direction and governance of WWF Australia, managing a team of 105 staff in 6 offices with an annual budget of AUSD$30million. He oversees large programmes on sustainability in transforming markets, energy and climate change, biodiversity protection and domestic international policy in Australia and the Region, and fundraising and donor development for individual, major supporters, foundations, private sector and Government. Picture: RICHARD JUPE
18/18Dermot O’Gorman - CEO World Wildlife Fund for Nature. DEGREE: Associate Diploma in Applied Science, graduated 1988. NOW: Dermot is the CEO of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature where he supports the Board and Governors in the strategic direction and governance of WWF Australia, managing a team of 105 staff in 6 offices with an annual budget of AUSD$30million. He oversees large programmes on sustainability in transforming markets, energy and climate change, biodiversity protection and domestic international policy in Australia and the Region, and fundraising and donor development for individual, major supporters, foundations, private sector and Government. Picture: RICHARD JUPE
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