LINKS Oct 99
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Alumni Review SPRING 1999 Volume 2 Number 7 Outstanding Alumni Awards QUT Train reaches out Our colourful history CONTENTS A university for the real world http://www.qut.edu.au 1 Sharing success brings rich rewards 2 1999 Outstanding Alumni Awards 4 In brief... Technology 6 It’s lights, camera and action in Queensland on Track 7 Hall of Fame recognises greats Golden Graduates celebrate The QUT Train, Science and Technology on the half-century Move, brought a world of innovation to regional 8 Queensland during August and September. Ray of hope shines in Sydney’s Minto The highly successful journey will be 9 remembered as a highlight of QUT’s 10/150 anniversary celebrations. 40 years’ service and still going strong The 10,000km trip was a repeat of the success of the first QUT 10 Science Train which toured the State in 1997. This time five faculties Haney gains foothold in Singapore TV were involved: Science, Health, Information Technology, Business, 11 and Built Environment and Engineering. Tourist road safety measures under the The Queensland Government and a number of industrial, transport spotlight and media organisations very generously supported the train which Smart solutions to electronic cash in hand showcased a wide spectrum of QUT's activities. 12 Joint research gives participants new hope Through its journey the train also allowed us to make contact with Videos help rural workers detect many of the more than 9,000 QUT alumni who live in regional and developmental problems rural Queensland through platform functions in Toowoomba, 13 Rockhampton, Mackay and Townsville. Breakthrough opens optometrists’ eyes In recent years, QUT has been in touch with alumni outside Brisbane School violence down, academic results up through special functions in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. I'm 14 pleased that we're now able to give similar attention to those living Students help rethink city development in regional Queensland. HR strategies mapped out by QUT researcher The train also exemplifies the broad approach to “technology” that 15 QUT pursues as a “university of technology”. Technology, in this Simon wants to make a difference broad sense, can be defined as the application of creative thinking 16 and ingenuity to solve practical problems in all fields of Double degrees graduates in demand human endeavour. Teaching alumni win national accolades QUT is committed to the widest possible use of technology to solve 17 real-world problems. The train, with its multi-faculty focus, is a QUT history in A Class of its Own vivid illustration of how technology can transform so many different Exhibition weaves colourful picture aspects of our lives. 18 Alumni events on track with the QUT Train 19 Anniversary celebrations continue 20 Get involved with QUT alumni Professor Dennis Gibson 21 Vice-Chancellor Keep in touch. QUT Links is published by the QUT Corporate Communication Department, in co-operation with the QUT Alumni Relations Unit. Cover: Design and production by QUT Publications Unit. Allan Brackin Edited by Colleen Ryan Clur Photography: Tony Phillips, Suzanne Prestwidge. Editorial material is gathered from a range of sources and does not necessarily reflect the opinions and policies of the QUT Foundation or QUT. QUT LINKS Sharing success brings rich rewards At 26, Allan Brackin took a $30,000 The father of four said he attributed “One of the most important gamble and started his own business. his success to hard work, constant Two businesses and 13 years later, learning, and “surrounding myself with things in business is that his company AAG Technology Services good people”. Pty Ltd – which specialises in computer “One of the most important things you’ve got to get good product sales, IT recruitment, systems in business is that you’ve got to get good people to work with.” integration and IT strategy consulting – people to work with and I believe employs more than 260 people and you’ve got to let them share the success boasts an annual turnover of with you,” Allan said. Plan International and is involved in $270 million. Allan has achieved this, with sports coaching and fundraising at his AAG is one of only two companies educational opportunities for staff and children’s school. He was previously to have been ranked in the top 100 a company share program. engaged in volunteer work with fastest-growing Australian companies by “We have 150 staff with shares in the Brisbane’s homeless youth. BRW for the past seven years. It is also company. We’ve financed staff to buy “The idea was to house these one of those rare companies in which shares and others have chosen to buy homeless kids and put an older one in employees share the profits. shares themselves and invest in AAG a leadership position. It was tough but Allan, who graduated with a Technology Services.” worthwhile work,” Allan said. Bachelor of Applied Science (Surveying) In the next 12 to 24 months, Allan Allan maintains close contact with from QIT in 1981, was named overall plans to publicly float the company. QUT and recently established an QUT Alumnus of the Year at a breakfast Since he graduated, Allan has also undergraduate and graduate held at Brisbane’s Sheraton Hotel on sponsored four foster children through employment program with QUT. August 25. He is also the Outstanding Alumni award winner for the Built Environment and Engineering Faculty for 1999. Nine other faculty and special awards were also presented. (See pages 2–3) The Outstanding Alumni Award is an initiative of the QUT Alumni Board which includes graduates and QUT council members. The purpose of the award is to recognise the professional achievements and contributions of graduates of the university and its predecessor institutions. After graduating, Allan went into business. He worked as a salesman and then manager for a survey instrument firm, before founding Queensland Laser and Survey Supplies (which was later sold to the Japanese corporation, Sokkisha). Allan, with fellow-surveyors Ian Petherbridge and Andrew McNicol, then founded Applied Micro Systems (Australia) Pty Ltd in July 1986, which has since grown to become the national company, AAG Technology Services, which incorporates five separate QUT overall Outstanding Alumnus Award Winner for 1999 Allan Brackin accepts his award from businesses. Vice-Chancellor Dennis Gibson. by Amanda O’Chee 1 1999 Outstanding Alumni Awards FACULTY OF ARTS 1999 FACULTY OF BUSINESS 1999 FACULTY OF EDUCATION 1999 FACULTY OF HEALTH 1999 OUTSTANDING ALUMNI OUTSTANDING ALUMNI OUTSTANDING ALUMNI OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD AND PROFESSIONAL AWARD: ROSEMARY VILGAN AWARD: IAN HEALY AWARD: JUDITH GAY EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR Last year, Rosemary Vilgan was Ian Healy has become a Wesley Hospital’s Director of 1999: DEBORAH MAILMAN named by a leading US household name throughout Patient Care Services Judy Deborah Mailman’s highly- superannuation magazine as Australia and other cricket- Gay has had a role in acclaimed film and theatre one of the world’s top 25 playing nations of the world. developing nursing education work has seen her emerge as movers and shakers in the Ian completed a three-year at three universities. She is a a leading Australian actor. global superannuation industry. course of study at a QUT- member of two national Since graduating from the As the executive director predecessor institution, nursing associations and Academy of the Arts in 1992, of the Queensland’s Brisbane College of oversees a staff of 1,000 nurses. she has achieved extraordinary Government Superannuation Advanced Education, and Judy introduced success, as an actor, writer and Office, Rosemary oversees graduated in 1985 with a Queensland’s first hospital producer. $15billion worth of Diploma of Education in graduate nursing transition In 1998 she won the Government employee’s Physical Education. program at The Wesley Australian Film Institute superannuation-funded assets. The year he graduated he Hospital and oversees a Award for Best Actress for Nationally, as president of was asked to fill in for an number of alliances with her portrayal of Nona in the Association of injured colleague and made his universities, including a long- Radiance. The film, which was Superannuation Funds of first-class debut as a wicket- standing program with QUT. written by Louis Nowra, Australia, she represents keeper playing for Queensland Judy said the biggest confirmed 27-year-old 85 per cent of the assets in against the West Indies. challenge for the profession Deborah as a star and as a the country’s superannuation Captain of the Queensland was the looming shortage of role-model for young funds, which are worth Bulls and a senior member of nurses – particularly in the indigenous Australians. $300billion. the Australian Test Team, Ian area of midwifery and the Over the past 12 months, The 35-year-old, who has made more than 100 test specialties of oncology, critical Deborah has performed in two studied part-time for her appearances for Australia and care, renal and operating works by Shakespeare, appeared Bachelor of Business has captained a number of room nursing. in ABC’s Playschool program (marketing) degree while Australian teams. He has more A fellow of both the and completed a second film. working full-time for the than 4,000 runs to his credit. Royal College of Nursing Deborah continues her Government, has achieved During cricket’s off-season, Australia and the Australian involvement with the at a tremendously fast rate. Ian is kept busy with business Institute of Management, Kooemba Jdarra Theatre Rosemary started in the and family commitments as Judy is currently completing which she co-founded with superannuation industry at well as appearances at public her PhD. She is also an fellow-graduate Wesley the State Government functions. associate fellow of The Enoch, and she is currently Superannuation office in Ian is also a very successful Australian College of Health developing indigenous 1988 and played a key role businessman and is involved in Service Executives.