• The Charles Sturt University Distinguished Alumni Awards winners and those who were highly commended were officially announced on Monday 21 October
• The Awards celebrate the global impact Charles Sturt alumni have within their communities and beyond
• The exceptional achievements of 12 alumni were recognised through six award categories
• The six categories include: Professional Excellence; Research Excellence; First Nations Excellence; Social Impact; Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Creativity; and Young Alumni

The global impact Charles Sturt University graduates have within their communities and worldwide was celebrated on Monday 21 October with the official announcement of the Charles Sturt University Distinguished Alumni Awards 2024.

Twelve high-achieving alumni were recognised for their remarkable contributions in fields such as psychology, research, communication, social work, engineering and more.

The Awards celebrate the achievements of these outstanding recipients and are divided into six categories: Professional Excellence; Research Excellence; Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Creativity; Social Impact; Indigenous Alumni; and Young Alumni.

Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Renée Leon said the University continued to produce graduates with real-world knowledge and experience which was an invaluable platform to make lasting impacts on society.

“Charles Sturt’s teaching excellence, placement programs and state-of-the-art facilities give students the edge over their peers when it comes to taking practical, modern-day expertise into their careers,” Professor Leon said.

“We recently launched our dynamic Communication Precinct at Charles Sturt in Bathurst which offers the latest technology and infrastructure for communication students.

“Our university is renowned for producing some of the world’s most famous and effective communication professionals, and this facility will continue to lay the foundations for experts in journalism, advertising, radio and all related forms of communication and engagement for years to come.”  

The winners of each award are:

Winner of Professional Excellence:

Ms Jenna Mayhew is the Founder and Principal Psychologist at Hola Therapy in Mexico - a bilingual, cross-cultural clinic offering ethical, evidence-based and progressive intercultural psychology. Ms Mayhew has created a safe space where diversity and inclusion is celebrated, based on person-centred therapy.

Winner of Research Excellence:

Professor Pornsak Sriamornsak is Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Silpakorn University and a world-leading pharmaceutical researcher and innovator. He has led ground-breaking discoveries in biopolymers, drug delivery systems, pharmaceutical nanotechnology and 3D printing.

Winner of First Nations Excellence:

Proud Wiradjuri woman Fiona Harrison is the Founder and CEO of Australia’s first First Nations chocolate company, Chocolate On Purpose. Blending premium chocolate with Australian native botanicals, Fiona is on a mission to share First Nations ways of knowing, being and doing, using Wiradjuri storytelling to promote understanding, respect, inclusiveness and reconciliation.

Winner of Social Impact:

Multi-award-winning journalist Mr Kamin Gock is a multi-platform reporter across news, 4 Corners, and now 7.30. His insightful reporting on social, political and environmental issues holds power to account and exposes inequalities in society. His work has prompted vital reform, including widespread structural change in healthcare and action for victims of institutionalised abuse.

Winner Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Creativity:

Proud descendant of the Guppi Guppi mob and dedicated Social Worker, Ms Sally-Anne Stollznow is focussed on the social impacts of disability, particularly those with neurodivergence. She developed, authored and published the children’s book, ‘Sid goes to Kitty Land: A book introducing autism and therapy’.

Winner of Young Alumni:

Ms Emmeline Rocks is a Civil Engineer and Project Manager working on commercial construction projects within the NSW Riverina and North East Victoria. She quickly rose to the role of Project Manager, demonstrating her commitment, attention to detail and eagerness to learn and grow.

Alumni who were highly commended are:

• Charles Sturt University Alumni of the Year – Professional Excellence Highly Commended: Chief Technology officer at Greener, Mr Dale Hurley
• Charles Sturt University Alumni of the Year – Research Excellence Highly Commended: Scientia Research Fellow at Kirby Institute, UNSW, Dr Elizabeth McCormack
• Charles Sturt University Alumni of the Year – Social Impact Highly Commended: Veterans Psychology, Founder and Clinical Psychologist, Mrs Nadia Teong
• Charles Sturt University Alumni of the Year – Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Creativity Highly Commended: Principal, The Edge Human Performance Group, Dr Sandy MacQuarrie
• Charles Sturt University Indigenous Alumni of the Year Highly Commended: Manager at Community Links and member of Disability Council of NSW, Ms Carmel Flavell
• Charles Sturt University Alumni of the Year – Young Alumni Highly Commended: Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Engagement and Research at UNSW, Assoc. Professor Brett Biles

There are more than 250,000 Charles Sturt alumni spanning Australia and internationally. This year, 92 nominations were received for the awards, recognising Charles Sturt alumni making exceptional contributions in their chosen fields.

Professor Leon expressed pride in the achievements of the winners and those who were highly commended in the 2024 awards.

“Congratulations to our 2024 Alumni Award winners and those who were highly commended,” Professor Leon said.

“Charles Sturt University is extremely proud of the positive impacts you are making in the world.”

ENDS