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2026 Alumni Award Winners

Professor Tanya Buchanan

Professor Tanya Buchanan

Winner of the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award

Master of Business Administration, 1999

Professor Tanya Buchanan, CEO of Dementia Australia, has built an influential career in health leadership, policy and advocacy.

Combining her nursing background with a MBA, she has led major national health organisations, including Dementia Australia and Cancer Council Australia, driving positive change for millions of Australians affected by dementia, cancer and other health issues.

Previously CEO of Action on Smoking and Health in Wales, Tanya has championed population health initiatives and evidence-based policy throughout her career.

Her curiosity, adaptability and commitment to improving health outcomes, alongside her collaborative leadership, have earned her the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award.

Christopher Lambe

Christopher Lambe

Winner of the 2026 Community and Impact Alumni Award

Bachelor of Education (Kindergarten through Primary), 2002

Science Specialist Chris Lambe has dedicated 25 years to making learning creative, inclusive and meaningful for children.

A passionate advocate for hands-on, play-based education, he inspires curiosity and engagement at Grandis Primary School and was named 2025 inaugural Western Australian Minister's Teacher of the Year.

Beyond the classroom, Chris has led the Fathering Project at his school for more than 12 years, helping fathers and caregivers become positive role models and strengthening family-school connections.

His care-first approach, commitment to student wellbeing and lasting impact on children, families and the teaching profession have earned him the 2026 Community and Impact Alumni Award.

Nel Minchin

Nel Minchin

Winner of the 2026 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alumni Award

Graduate Diploma of Broadcasting, 2006

Award-winning documentary filmmaker and producer Nel Minchin has built an acclaimed career telling compelling Australian stories across film and television.

Her diverse screen credits include Matilda and Me, Making Muriel and the internationally celebrated feature documentary Firestarter – The Story of Bangarra, which screened at more than 35 international film festivals and received multiple industry awards.

Now Head of Factual at Easy Tiger Productions, Nel has embraced creative leadership and entrepreneurship in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

Her commitment extends to mentoring ECU Screen and Broadcasting students, sharing industry expertise and helping develop the next generation of storytellers. These achievements have earned her the 2026 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alumni

Shavini Fernando

Shavini Fernando

Winner of the 2026 International Alumni Award

Master of Business Administration (International), 2013

After being diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition and given just two years to live, Shavini Fernando turned adversity into innovation.

In 2019, she founded Oxiwear and developed a groundbreaking, Food and Drug Administration-cleared real-time blood oxygen and pulse monitor designed to help people with chronic conditions avoid life-threatening events such as cardiac arrests and strokes.

Despite significant challenges as a first-time founder, entrepreneur and migrant, she successfully raised funding, secured regulatory clearance and brought the device to market in the USA.

Her extraordinary resilience, entrepreneurial drive and commitment to improving the lives of others have earned her the 2026 International Alumni Award.

Nicolette Beard

Nicolette Beard

Winner of the 2026 Young Alumni Award

Graduate Diploma of Education (Primary), 2018

Teacher turned not-for-profit co-founder Nicolette Beard is transforming how young people understand consent, respectful relationships and gender-based violence prevention.

In 2021, she co-founded We Are W/M, delivering trauma-informed, evidence-based education to schools, communities and organisations across WA and nationally.

Since its inception, the organisation has reached more than 30,000 young people and 200 organisations through workshops, parent education and professional learning.

Recognised as Young West Australian of the Year 2024, Nicolette’s leadership and commitment to creating safer, more respectful communities have earned her the 2026 Young Alumni Award.

Akshat Sharma

Akshat Sharma

Winner of the 2026 Young Alumni Award

Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Systems) Honours, 2022

Robotic systems engineer AK Sharma has built an exceptional career through curiosity, initiative and a willingness to embrace challenges.

Since graduating with first-class honours in Computer Systems Engineering, he has worked on groundbreaking robotics projects across the UK, US and Australia, including helping develop the world’s first fully autonomous tetherless underwater robot.

In Western Australia’s mining sector, he played a key role in transitioning conventional haul trucks to autonomous operation and now contributes to fleet reliability and efficiency.

Beyond his career, AK is committed to mentoring the next generation of engineers and supporting the profession through volunteer leadership.

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