Two captains of industry join an altruistic lawyer and an Aussie sports star honoured in the 2014 Deakin University Alumni Awards.
Australia Post Chairman Mr John Stanhope, AusNet Services Managing Director and CEO Mr Nino Ficca, legal expert Mr James Farrell, OAM, and Australian netballer Ms Madison Robinson have dedicated themselves to their careers and their communities to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
The four luminaries were last night named winners of this year's Deakin Alumni Awards before hundreds of guests at a celebratory event at Zinc at Federation Square. The honour comes amid Deakin's 40th anniversary celebrations and as the University prepares to mark the graduation of its 200,000th graduate.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander said the ongoing success of Deakin's graduates reflects and reinforces the ambitions of the University for its students and staff.
"Thousands of people who have graduated from Deakin University have gone on to enjoy distinguished careers and lead meaningful public lives and they have helped make a difference to the lives of others and to the communities that they represent,'' Professor den Hollander said.
"This year's recipients are widely acknowledged and respected for their professionalism, their contribution to their communities and for their efforts to advance Deakin's strategic initiatives around the world.
"We are incredibly proud of all of Deakin's Alumni and the 2014 award winners are no exception, personifying leadership and providing wonderful role models for current and future students."
Each year, 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.
Deakin's Alumni Awards were established in 2011 to honour the contributions of former students and academic staff.
The MC at last night's gala dinner announcement was former Geelong footballer Benjamin Graham, the 2012 Deakin Alumni of the Year and the first Aussie Rules footballer to switch to the NFL. Categories include Lifetime Achievement Award, Alumni of the Year Award, Young Alumni of the Year and Alumni Community Service Award.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Australia Post's Chairman, Mr John Stanhope, climbed through the ranks of the Post-Master General's Department to become a national leader in governance, finance and business strategy. Named The Financial Review's CFO of the Year in 2011.
Alumni of the Year
AusNet Services' Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, MrNino Ficca, is one of the most respected names in the Australian energy industry. A graduate of both Deakin and Harvard Business School, Mr Ficca has driven his company's worker safety strategy while providing power to more than 1.3 million homes and businesses across Victoria.
Alumni Community Service Award
Dedicated lawyer and legal expert Mr James Farrell, OAM, heads the Queensland Association of Independent Legal Services. After starting out with a prominent legal firm, Mr Farrell has dedicated his legal services to helping the homeless and the disadvantaged. Mr Farrell
Young Alumni of the Year
Australian netballer and Melbourne Vixens star Ms Madison Robinson has become one of Deakin's most successful sporting alumni, having been named 2012 ANZ Championships Player of the Year and International Player of the Year. The 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist is also an ambassador for numerous charities in Geelong and Melbourne.
More information about Deakin University's 2014 Alumni Award winners can be found here: http://www.deakin.edu.au/alumni