Alumni Stories

The majority of Cam's work is in Indonesia and other parts of Asia where he is involved in capacity building for developing countries. Cam and his team take the best practices from Australia and use them to assist the governments of these countries.

As Director, Cam's position involves management consulting. He has been responsible for several organisational transformation projects for clients of Bentleys MRI, involving reviewing of financial systems, operational systems, human resources and infrastructure.

"My most significant business achievements have been in the field of community development, particularly in remote Aboriginal Communities and developing countries," he says.

" I have undertaken major assignments involving over 70 Aboriginal Corporations throughout Western Australia. These have involved systems and compliance reviews, organisational restructures, systems development, investigations, grant control/administrations, statutory audits, service delivery appraisals, enterprise/corporation set-ups and native title projects."

In addition to his role at Bentleys, Cam is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Co-Chairman of the Asia Pacific Donor Business Development Committee and a committee member of Community Vision Inc.

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Drawing on the expert guidance given to him during his studies by ECU staff, including course coordinator Dr Angus Burnett and Foundation Professor of Exercise and Sports Science, Professor Robert Newton, Adam says his job is an exciting one that allows him to travel the world. He has been to Athens for the 2004 Olympic Games and is also the Director of quality assurance with the UK Strength & Conditioning Association.

Adam completed his honours after a sports science degree at ECU and also chose to complete his postgraduate studies at ECU.

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After just nine days in the ABC newsroom Alison's chief of staff sent her out alone to interview Sinn Fein's Jerry Adams! It might have been a shock, but Alison was obviously doing something right. In her second year out she won the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance's (MEAA) Best Newcomer Journalists Award.

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Now Executive Personal Assistant to the Group Managing Director of Teck Guan Holdings Group (the largest private organisation in East Malaysia), and General Manager of its hotel division, Kelvin spends his days tackling strategic business problems.

His role includes assisting the directors and leading his own division to increase shareholder value and market share.

"Being the youngest senior member of the group, it's exciting and challenging to be working with top management to accomplish their ultimate mission," says Kelvin.

Kelvin spent one year as a teacher before he decided a change was in order and enrolled at ECU.

He adopted Language Studies as his major and did 12 business units in Management and Human Resource Management as a sub-major.

"I thought that by attending both Arts and Business schools, I would gain a broader perspective on the opportunities available, and the skills I needed to seize them," Kelvin explains.

"For me, ECU was a transformational experience that completely changed my life for the better!

"Instead of reading textbooks in class, at ECU's tutorials we read cases describing real business problems, and then took on the role of protagonist to find the right answer.

"The opportunity to 'play businessman' - to fail and succeed in the laboratory environment of the classroom - was invaluable training. What made every class so magical was that we analysed cases with up to 30 other people from different backgrounds and cultures. Having spent all night coming up with the 'right' answer, my classmates presented evenly compelling reasons to take radically different approaches. These sorts of exchanges only helped to expand our horizons and drive us to think in new ways - a critical skill for a successful business leader."

Looking to the future, Kelvin says his goal is to become a successful entrepreneur and is looking forward to working with his former classmates through ECU's vast alumni network.

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"As most of the units were not normally available via correspondence, I was able to liaise with certain lecturers to support my endeavours," she says. "They provided me with material, interaction and feedback."

As assistant manager for Venture Capital Programs with AusIndustry in Canberra, Michele overseas two venture capital programs - - the Innovation Investment Fund (IIF) and the Renewable Energy Equity Fund (REEF).

She says her degree complemented the skills she had already developed and provided growth and personal development in other areas.

Michele considers making it in the business world means 'being able to communicate and having a presence'.

"It is really important that you are able to articulate your ideas and plans to others," she says.

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Returning to study as a mature aged student, Chris completed a Bachelor of Arts (sociology/anthropology) and a Royal Society of Arts - Teaching English as a Second Overseas Language certificate.

Upon graduation in 1998, he sold his small importing/distribution company and headed off to Indonesia for his first overseas teaching job.

Within weeks of his arrival, the country was rocked by student riots so Chris headed back to Perth to hone up his newfound skills before accepting a contract in Taiwan.

He spent two years in Taiwan, travelling to England annually to teach summer camp.

During this time he survived a major earthquake, as well as some smaller ones, and outbreaks of Foot and Mouth and Mad Cow Disease (the advantages of being a vegetarian).

After a short break in Australia and New Zealand, Chris' next journey was to Japan. Luckily he missed a major earthquake in Kobe, but before long the school he was teaching at was struck down with food poisoning from a local dairy, resulting in several deaths.

Chris' next job was in China, four hours south of Shanghai in Zhenjian. His visit began well but the country was soon in the grip of SARS fever and the whole population was quarantined.

"As the only Caucasian face in town, to say I was a novelty is an understatement," says Chris.

"I was constantly 'gorked' at. Now I know how a movie star must feel!"

His visit to China ended with a 10-day hospital stay as a result of a clotted varicose vein. In the spirit of enterprise, he made the most of this situation by teaching English to the hospital staff!

Chris says he loves his newfound career, which enables him to travel while earning an income. He sources most of his work through the internet and has taught children from as young as four up to adults in their 70s and 80s.

He is now back in Perth planning his next adventure with anticipation!

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He says his job is very diverse.

"It primarily consists of the acquisition, control and support of RAAF equipment and supplies to ensure that the RAAF is able to maintain and conduct air operations," he says.

"There is no such thing as a 'typical day', and my duties will range from project management and accounting, to air movements and inventory management. My other primary role will be as a Human Resources manager, where I will be responsible for the management and welfare of a group of military and civilian staff."

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As Director, Cam's position involves management consulting. He has been responsible for several organisational transformation projects for clients of Bentleys MRI, involving reviewing of financial systems, operational systems, human resources and infrastructure.

PEL is the largest supplier and installer of stadium seating in the UK, including many contracts overseas such as stadiums in Oslo, China and Iceland.

Greg describes his position as the 'typical' Project Managers role, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

"Considering it is a huge job with many potential problems that have to be rectified, I am kept very busy," he says.

"I allocate tasks to our workers and have constant dealings with the main contractor Multiplex and other subcontractors to ensure that our requirements are being met. In addition to this I also work with the architects and Multiplex management on design issues. I am also required to perform the valuations of our completed works and to allocate funds to different parts of the project."

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Before completing my degree I was offered a permanent position with Adelaide Southern Division of General Practice as Health Promotion Coordinator. I remained there for four years and once I'd graduated found the world had opened up for me. I spent a further four years working for the Royal Flying Doctor Service Central Operations coordinating the Rural Women's GP Program.

It was during my time at the Royal Flying Doctor Service that I was awarded the Women of the Year Scholarship to further my studies in women's health. I have now moved on to SA Cervix Screen as Senior Project Officer where I am able to use my knowledge and skill in women's health. I am now aiming to complete a Masters in Public Health, when I get time!

I believe that you learn from experience. If you don't learn from your experiences, both good and bad, then you never truly know yourself. Studying with ECU has given me the opportunity to extend and test myself and to set myself goals. My partner says one of my greatest assets is my thirst for knowledge, but I believe that an individual's greatest asset is knowing what to do with that knowledge once they have it.

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However, in January 2006 she took up a position as a Digital Photographic Technician at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies in Canberra. After only four months she was promoted to Senior Photographic Technician and Indigenous Photographic Trainee Co-ordinator, where she remains today. She has also been on two trips to a remote Indigenous community in Queensland to shoot photographic documentation.

Although adjusting to the public service was a bit perplexing at first, Leisa believes she has a great job and a gorgeous place to work. Her building is located near Lake Berlie Griffin and overlooks the Brindabella Mountains (often snow capped in winter).

Since being in Canberra Leisa has had, both, a short film and some digital images exhibited at Photo Access, Hew Davis Gallery. She has also made another short film about deaths in custody and plans to submit it to festivals during the year.

In January, she was accepted to do a Graduate Diploma of Arts, (specialising in Museums and Collections) at the Australian National University. She has won a $10,000 scholarship from the National Museum to cover the course costs. The course will include two internships and she is hoping to do one of them in Paris if she can arrange time off work.

Leisa believes she wouldn't be where she is today, if not for the help of some amazing lecturers at the South West campus, such as Robert Cleworth and Judith Roche in the Art Department and Terry Hahn, her film lecturer, who believed in her.

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Henry started his career in banking and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, London. He has subsequently held management positions in several multinational corporations. Henry's experience extends to small and medium enterprises. He is founding partner of a chain of child care centres and a distribution business in Singapore. He was a licensed securities dealer with the Singapore Stock Exchange.

Henry is active in social and community services and was previously a volunteer migration agent. He has been the Honorary Secretary of Grace AOG Church, Perth, for many years.

Henry holds a Masters in Business Administration (Edith Cowan University), Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management (Singapore Institute of Management) and a Banking Diploma (Chartered Institute of Bankers).

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As Manager of the Office of Commissioner for the Western Australia Police, Vince Hughes manages the day-to-day affairs of the Commissioner's Office, with an emphasis on ministerial liaison matters.

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In 2005, Jackman won an Emmy Awards for 'Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program', for his role as host of the 58th Annual Tony Awards.

In 2003, he began playing singer/songwriter Peter Allen in the Broadway production of the play The Boy From Oz . Jackman won the 2004 Tony Award as Best Actor in a Musical for this role.>/p>

Earlier Jackman successes include 'Sword Fish', 'Someone Like You', 'X-Men', 'Kate and Leopold', 'Paperback Hero' and 'Erskineville Kings' on the big screen, the prison drama 'Corelli' and The Man from Snowy River on the small and 'Beauty and the Beast', 'Sunset Boulevard' and 'Oklahoma' on the stage.

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Bussakorn is the Director for a course the Institute is running in co-operation with a Bangkok government university. The project is to operate an MBA course majoring in Small - Medium Enterprise Management for some 200 students.

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Ray's position involves strategic human resource management and support for all Thiess mining operations across New South Wales and Victoria. Ray also deals with Industrial Relations, Employee Relations and provides his company with advice on labour market trends.

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Joe manages and controls the provision of Information Systems (IS) audit services for the WA public health sector and provides complex and sensitive IS audit work, including undertaking special investigations.

"I am also responsible for the development of the IS elements of the risk based Strategic and Operational Plan for the WA health sector in consultation with stakeholders," he says.

"I also manage the development and provision of policy advice in regard to Corporate Governance, risk management and related control procedures."

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Photograph by Chadwick Management, Sydney
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As Manager of Economic Development with the City of Wanneroo, Ian is responsible for investment attraction and employment generation projects and policies for the area.

Ian's implementation of a successful Economic Development Strategy, 'Open for Business 2020', for the City of Wanneroo led to him undertaking the development of a similar project for the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). AusAID is a government agency that manages overseas aid programs to help developing countries to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development.

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She also starred in the telemovie 'Potato Factory' from the novel by Bryce Courtenay, and in the musical 'The Sound of Music'.

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Kathryn has gone from strength to strength since graduating in 1991. Before heading to England, she was a regular principal vocalist with Opera Australia. During her seven years with Opera Australia she sang major roles including Titania in a new production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, which toured to the Edinburgh Festival in 1994. Kathryn was also the recipient of the Opera Foundation Australia - Vienna State Opera Award in 2000.

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Dave was offered a job working in Reservations at the 900 acre Spa Resort. His work in hospitality at the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle and places such as Subiaco Oval and WACA is great experience for his overseas adventure.

"I was always keen on going overseas. It was just a matter of time, so I thought I may as well go for it. I got an interview and 8 weeks later I got the job. They were very impressed with my degree and all the different subjects I'd done," said Dave.

Travelling has been the basis for Dave's passion for Tourism. His quest to see the world helped him decide what major he wanted to do at university.

"I have a goal before I'm thirty to set foot on every continent. I've been travelling since I was five. Part of my parents' education was to travel and open up my eyes to the world. I've always been interested in other people and other countries since I was a kid. That's how I got interested in tourism,"

"I always loved travelling and its best if you're a traveller to work in hospitality and tourism. I'm planning on seeing continental Europe and a bit of Africa while I am there. The good thing about the UK is that it will be so cheap for me to travel to other parts of the UK than it would be for me travel from Australia," Dave said.

Dave has definitely stayed focused on his Tourism ambitions. He missed out on a university place when he first applied in Year 12. However, rather than give up, he was determined that he would go to uni and tried to find all possible pathways. He decided to complete a University level Diploma qualification at Alexander Education Group.

"In year 12 I knew my marks were slightly down so I started to look into other ways of getting in to uni. That's how I found out about Alexander and similar places. I started off with a certificate three in Tourism and went into the Diploma in Hotel Management. That's how I got into uni, it basically took care of the first year,"

"I knew I always wanted to get a degree behind my name. I missed out on uni the first time by about three or four marks on my TEE, so I had to go the back way. No matter how much I looked into other avenues, a degree and going to uni always came back to me," explained Dave.

Dave's confesses that a lot of his time at uni was spent meeting new people, getting involved with social events and hanging out at the tavern. Some would think this a waste of valuable studying time, but Dave thinks this is a really important way to develop your social skills.

"It's very important to socialise and network while you are at uni. This way, when you go out in the business world it becomes a lot easier for you. That's also why I was involved with YATA (Young Australian Tourism Association), to get networking and get to know people, as it opens up a lot more doors."

"I actually enjoyed coming to uni every day! I couldn't say the same about high school but definitely about uni. Uni is your own choice and you are doing stuff that you are interested in," Dave said.

Working overseas is a small part of a bigger plan Dave Monk has. He hopes to use his industry experience in Tourism and Hospitality, and his degree to one day run his own backpackers business.

"I'd like to spend about 3 or 4 years in the UK then go to Canada. I would like to get into the backpacker industry when I get home, maybe in country WA or Queensland. Generally I prefer backpackers or adventure tourism to hotels. I'm more laid back and casual rather than 'elegant'."

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UTRAFE is a unity within the Ministry of Planning and Finance, created to implement financial and administrative reforms within the Government of Mozambique.

A result of the restructure has been the implementation of a new information system solution named e-SISTAFE, which involves an integrated public expenditure management system. It will cover budgeting, expenditure control, accounting, cash management, inventory management and internal control and audit. It is planned that e-SISTAFE be implemented throughout all the Government Ministries and, Municipalities and State Enterprises.

As Project Manager of the new system implementation, Jacinto is responsible for coordinating the overall project planning, budgeting and monitoring and evaluating the progress of the project and its subprojects.

"The professional experience I had acquired while in Perth set an excellent platform for me to move on my career. While at university I did not have specific training on Project Management, however I had acquired a lot of concepts and technical knowledge that are fundamental in my daily routine. We have a strong software development team that uses a Unified Modelling Language, a subject that was taught in sufficient detail for an introductory level at ECU. Topics such as strategic information systems, systems design and in particular systems development life cycle and general management of information systems, are very important to the role I am playing," explained Jacinto.

Jacinto has found that ECU's practical approach to teaching has facilitated the 'real world' application of his studies to his field of work.

"As a non-English speaking international student, I thought the lecturers/tutors at ECU have been very good at satisfying the needs of each individual student. The lecturers at ECU were very practical and most were in line with industry development, which facilitates students' integration to the business world," said Jacinto.

The decision to move back to Africa was not simply a matter of the chance to develop his professional potential. Jacinto also had very personal reasons for the change. The aspiration to one day have a part in the development of Africa has been a personal goal. The time he has spent away from Africa also made the decision easier. After having studied in Norway and Australia, the opportunity to be close to family was too good to miss, even though he had already found work in Perth.

"I was born and grew up in Africa and have always hoped to contribute to the development of the African continent. Africa, in particular Mozambique is a country with a lot of potential and opportunities for growth and I definitely want to be part of that development," said Jacinto. "When offered this post, I thought it was an excellent opportunity to realise my dream and to be able to reunite with my family and old friends again."

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She will soon be seen in a new comedy called 'About Adam', which was shot in Dublin. Frances also stars in Steven Spielberg's production of 'A.I.', and opposite Nicholas Cage and Christian Slater in the movie, 'Windtalkers'.

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With a scholarship for his MBA, Jerry moved from Zimbabwe to study at ECU. He then acquired a scholarship and completed a PhD in Finance, graduating early 2004. We asked Jerry to comment on his new position and time at ECU.

Why do you think you were able to reach the position of Senior Lecturer so quickly after graduating?
I was fortunate to publish some papers from my PhD thesis prior to finishing my studies and joining UNSW.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
Exploring fresh research and applied ideas in my field. Collaborating with industry, presenting my work to an appreciative audience and seeing students succeed (in coursework and their own research) are top of my list of positive experiences.

UNSW is one of the best university finance departments in Australia. How do you feel ECU compares with this standard?
ECU is a smaller department in terms of staffing. However, it does have its place in the field of finance, owing largely to collaborative arrangements that have been fostered by its senior faculty with the rest of the Australian finance academia. For example, I benefited immensely from the School of Accounting, Finance and Economics' close links with the Securities Industry Research Centre of Asia-Pacific. This relationship not only allowed me to complete my PhD in Sydney, Australia's financial capital, I also enjoyed the mentorship of some of the most senior finance professors in the country.

Why did you decide to undertake studies in the area of Finance?
I was inspired by a leading Professor in Finance, Dr David Allen, who went on to become my doctoral supervisor.

Can you briefly explain your thesis?
My thesis was in the area of funds management; specifically the influences of fund managers' institutional and strategic attributes on investment flows.

How well did your ECU degrees prepare you for your position?
For my MBA studies, the then director of the programme, Barry Chapman, was flexible enough to allow me to load up on advanced finance units, in lieu of introductory subjects that I had already covered in my undergraduate studies. This was to prove most useful in giving me the necessary coursework grounding for my PhD in finance.

How would you describe your lecturers at ECU?
Challenging, but not arrogant.

What would you say has been your greatest challenge and/or achievement in your work so far?
The greatest challenge is to maintain a quality publication record whilst sustaining a high standard of teaching. I consider that I have been given a start by God and with the help of people who have believed in me; hopefully some achievements will follow.

What do you think is the secret to success in the business world?
Finding an area one is passionate about and then working diligently and honestly at it - the market recognises effort.

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After receiving his Graduate Diploma in Performance, he received a Big Brother Scholarship in 1994 and studied briefly with teachers from the Royal College of Music in London.

Clinton has lead a busy freelance life since moving to Sydney. He has played frequently with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. Clinton has also performed with the WA Symphony Orchestra, Malaysian Philharmonic, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Australia Ensemble, Australian Brass, Sydney Opera House Orchestra, Alchemy Brass, Hunter Symphony Orchestra, Australian Youth Orchestra, Sydney Brass Ensemble and the Sydney Philharmonia Orchestra. Clinton has performed in numerous musicals including The Phantom of the Opera, Showboat, The Merry Widow, Miss Saigon and Beauty and the Beast and has also performed as a soloist in the Botanical Gardens for the 'Vivaldi Four Seasons' series. He has also toured extensively throughout Europe and Asia with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Youth Orchestra. In 2000 Clinton attended the 2000 International Trumpet Guild conference in New York State.

Clinton also received a graduate diploma in counselling and psychotherapy in 2002 from Jansen Newman Institute and works part-time with individuals, couples and groups at a clinic in St Leonards. In 2005 he will be working for Relationships Australia as a couples and family therapist. He is currently undertaking a four year graduate diploma in Gestalt Therapy with Gestalt Practitioners Training Sydney and hopes to incorporate his musical experience with his Gestalt training in the future.

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"I found the first few weeks slightly uncomfortable, as my friends were not in any of my classes. In the course of time, the commonalities I had with my colleagues emerged and this encouraged me to broaden my comfort circle making new and interesting friends.

"Looking back at my experience at ECU, I must say that the first year was slightly on the dull side. Getting pumped with mostly theory and written tasks was nearly enough to make me difer for a year. But, I hung in there and soon found the remainder of the course to be more 'hands on', exciting and fun.

"The degree I perused was the Bachelor of Communications with a double major in Advertising and Film & video. The course taught some fundamental and vital skills that I would not have obtained elsewhere."

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Lease Equity is a Commercial property agency which specialises in shopping centre developments including feasibilities, tenancy mix analysis, leasing and ongoing property management. Jim's other company, Boss Sports Management has been running since 1991 and provides a management consultancy for elite athletes. It assists with playing contracts, investment advice, and lifestyle planning.

After completing a Bachelor of Economics, Jim decided to undertake further study to better equip himself for management. He graduated with a Graduate Diploma of Business (Management) from ECU in 1992.

"I believed that ultimately I would be in a senior management position and would require a broad management background. The post graduate Diploma equipped me with the necessary knowledge to question and understand issues that have occurred in my role as a manager," Jim said.

Jim's success was recognised earlier this year when he was awarded a place in this year's Business News '40 under 40 Awards'. The competition celebrates WA's young business achievers under 40 years of age and acknowledges business related achievements or businesses that make a difference to WA. The award reiterates Jim's excellence in leadership and entrepreneurial skills and the success of his companies.

"My greatest achievement has been the $100 million redevelopment of the Whitford City Shopping Centre, from undertaking the feasibility through to executing the plan and opening the centre. Essentially the centre had to continue operating through the redevelopment which effectively added another 2 mini department stores, 3 major tenants and 130 shops," said Jim.

Jim puts his success down to absolute focus and the thirst for knowledge.

"I thoroughly believe in working honestly and ethically with all stakeholders and that these values will ultimately repay themselves. I can also summarise my overall work practices as 'hyperactivity'. This is a term I often refer to amongst my colleagues whereby the thirst for knowledge and hard work will ultimately result in what we are seeking to achieve," said Jim.

The faculty congratulates Jim on his achievements and wishes him every success in the future.

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As the Construction Manager, Geoff oversees the day-to-day construction of new homes to ensure the required methods, materials and labour achieve the right standards.

"In my role as General Manager I work closely with a management team ensuring we have the right resources and systems in place to make Peter Stannard Homes a successful business, not only today but also well into the future," says Geoff.

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