Deakin Alumni Awards celebrate two lifetimes of achievement

Congratulating Auntie Joan and Dr Parkin on being named recipients of this year's Deakin Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award, Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander AO said their success reflected the impact Deakin alumni have on their communities.

"Deakin University alumni are making a real difference in the world as global leaders, innovators and professionals," Professor den Hollander said.

"Both Auntie Joan and David exemplify this - through their professionalism, their contribution to their communities and for their efforts to advance Deakin University."

Established in 2011, Deakin's Alumni Awards recognise, acknowledge and promote prominent alumni who have achieved outstanding success professionally and have made a major contribution to the University and/or the communities they serve.

Other alumni honoured at last night's event in South Melbourne were Alumni of the Year Award recipient Tracey Gaudry, Young Alumni of the Year recipient Dean Landy and Alumni Community Service Award recipient Dr Nicole Weber.

"We are incredibly proud of all Deakin alumni and our 2017 award winners are no exception, providing wonderful role models for current and future students," Professor den Hollander said.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Auntie Joan Vickery AO is a Gunditjmara Elder originally from Portland, Western Victoria. She has been an Aboriginal health pioneer for over 40 years, having undertaken extensive work supporting rural communities and in diabetes research and support. Joan completed a Master's in Public Health at the Institute of Koorie Education at Deakin University in 2005 and is currently the Patron of the Institute of Koorie Education Advisory Board.

Dr David Parkin OAM's celebrated decades-long career in AFL spans extraordinary achievements on and off the field. His academic achievements include developing and lecturing in the Sports Coaching Degree course at Deakin University. Named in his honour, the annual Deakin University David Parkin Oration for Sport and Social Change honours David's significant contribution by exploring the challenges and opportunities for sport to act as a driver of social change.

Alumni of the Year

Former professional road cyclist and Olympian Tracey Gaudry has enjoyed a career steeped in achievement both on the road and in leadership roles with national and international sporting organisations. Tracey is a Director and immediate past Vice President of the Union Cycliste Internationale – the world governing body for the sport of cycling, and a contributor to the International Olympic Committee on gender inclusion.

Alumni Community Service Award

While studying at Deakin University in 2012 Dr Nicole Weber founded the Global Village Project, a not-for-profit registered charity, acting as its president until 2016. The Global Village Project focuses on childhood immunisation and health education in the Indian state of Odisha (formerly Orissa). Deakin medical and allied health students have returned to an orphanage in the eastern highlands every year since the program’s inception. Nicole is currently working on expanding the program locally and abroad.

Young Alumni of the Year

Dean Landy has carved out a unique 'purpose driven' career in architecture and urban design, as an author, and as a social entrepreneur. He is a partner at Melbourne-based firm ClarkeHopkinsClarke, and last year published his first book Creating Vibrant Communities - a fresh approach to delivering healthy, sustainable and liveable communities. In 2007 Dean founded One Heart Foundation - a 'for-purpose' organisation that is working to break the poverty cycle in Africa, and change the future of orphaned and abandoned children.

More information about Deakin University's 2017 Alumni Award winners can be found at http://www.deakin.edu.au/alumni/deakin-alumni-awards-2017