L-R Scott Elstermann, Taza Belinda Serenje, Catrina-Luz Aniere, Emeritus Professor Colleen Hayward AM, Derek Gerrard
Edith Cowan University (ECU) celebrated the achievements of its alumni and the generosity of its donors at a star-studded event at the Westin Perth.
The evening sparkled with moving performances, heartfelt speeches, and a sense of pride as staff, students, and guests came together to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of this year's Alumni Award winners and their enduring influence on ECU and the wider community.
Alumni shining bright
ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock took the opportunity to recognise the significance of the evening and present the awards alongside ECU Chancellor Gaye McMath.
"Nights like this remind me that Edith Cowan University is so much more than a place of study or work. ECU is a community, and at the very heart of that community are our graduates.
"Tonight is not only about celebrating individual achievement, but also about recognising the way you continue to shape ECU itself. You are mentors, advocates, partners and role models. You keep our University connected to the real world, and that's what makes this community so strong," Professor Pollock said.
In addition to celebrating the achievements of the winners, the celebration also provided a moment to acknowledge the generosity of donors and the lasting impact their contributions have on students and the community they serve.
"Tonight is also about creating opportunities for others. The funds raised through this event support our Inspiring Minds Scholarships, helping students in need pursue their dreams, just as many of you once did. That is a powerful legacy for our alumni community to leave," Professor Pollock said.
L-R ECU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Clare Pollock, Scott Elstermann, Taza Belinda Serenje, Catrina-Luz Aniere, Emeritus Professor Colleen Hayward AM, Derek Gerrard, ECU Chancellor, Gaye McMath
2025 Young Alumni Award
The 2025 Young Alumni Award went to 2014 WAAPA graduate Scott Elstermann, the most awarded dance artist in the history of the Performing Arts WA Awards, with over 25 nominations and 12 wins.
The winner of the 2025 Young Alumni Award, Scott Elstermann
"When I got the news, I was very overcome and overwhelmed. I really couldn't believe that, but I'm so grateful for the acknowledgement and for ECU to recognise this boy who just loved to dance.
"To have that supported and nurtured by the university is very special," Scott said..
Other notable achievements, include being named as 2020's WA Young Achiever of the Year (Arts and Culture) and becoming the youngest ever and first Australian to be award the international Pina Bausch Fellowship in 2018.
Outside of the performance arena, Scott has dedicated himself to helping others pursue their dreams by being a mentor, teacher and advocate for the next generation of dancers and performers.
2025 Community and Impact Alumni Award
Catrina-Luz Aniere, winner of the 2025 Community and Impact Alumni Award, is a passionate leader driving change in youth empowerment and environmental education. Catrina graduated from ECU's Churchlands Campus in 1981, with a Diploma of Teaching (Primary).
The winner of the 2025 Community and Impact Alumni Award, Catrina-Luz Aniere
Since then, Catrina has been honoured with the Banksia Foundation Sustainability Award, co-founded and led Millenium Kids Inc. which is creating pathways to design and lead environmental projects for thousands of young people, and more recently, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia.
Catrina has dedicated her life to inspiring communities across Australia, South Africa and Indonesia.
"It's really exciting to get the community an impact award from the ACU alumni. I remember distinctly opening the email and reading it and having a little try because it validates 35 years of really hard work," Catarina said.
2025 International Alumni Award winner
A 2012 Bachelor of Science graduate, Taza Belinda Serenje has been recognised as the 2025 International Alumni Award winner for her exceptional contributions on the global stage.
The 2025 International Alumni Award winner, Taza Belinda Serenje
Taza specialised in Occupational Health and Safety, and her career has spanned continents, including Africa, Asia and the Americas
"Seeing the knowledge, the technical expertise that I gained from Edith Cohen University being applied globally has been truly rewarding for me," Taza said.
Within the United Nations system, Taza has implemented safety and health protocols that have positively impacted over 100 countries.
"I feel very proud to be part of the ECU alumni community," Taza said.
2025 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alumni Award winner
The 2025 Inaugural Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alumni Award winner is 2000 Bachelor of Business graduate Derek Gerrard.
The 2025 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alumni Award winner, Derek Gerrard
Derek is widely regarded as one of Western Australia'smost prominent entrepreneurial leaders as the current director and founder of Purpose Ventures, the largest early-stage venture capital fund in the state at $55 million.
"You look back and see who else has won the awards over the years and realise that you're in really good company. That is something I'm really proud of to be honest," said Dereck.
"As a university, we are literally changing the landscape of Perth CBD. So, to be a part of that and be invited into that, it's a great time to be part of that community."
2025 Distinguished Alumni Award
The 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award winner, Emeritus Professor Colleen Hayward AM
The evening's highest honour, the Distinguished Alumni Award, was presented to Emeritus Professor Colleen Hayward AM, a pioneering leader whose contributions to health, education, and housing have shaped policy and practice at both state and national levels.
Professor Hayward's connection to ECU runs deeply throughout her life, having graduated over 50 years ago from ECU with a Diploma in Teaching. She served as Head of Kurongkurl Katitjin and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equity and Indigenous Affairs, embedding Indigenous perspectives across the University.
"To win the Distinguished Alumni Award from my institution it makes it doubly special and strengthens the links that never actually fade even after you graduate," Professor Hayward said.
A performance befitting the night
A true highlight of the evening came from internationally renowned soprano and ECU alumna Amy Manford, the 2024 Young Alumni Award winner and headline act. Her dazzling performance took the audience on a musical journey through her impressive career, from her work with Disney 100 to unforgettable performances alongside Andrea Bocelli.
Guests were also treated to an acoustic performance by multi-talented instrumentalist and WAAPA alum, Charlie Youngson.
ECU alumnus, Charlie Youngson
The evening was hosted by broadcasting alumna and recent Business News 40under40 recipient, Cassie Silver, who added humour and heart to proceedings. Ms Silver performed a moving poem on how her time at ECU has shaped aspects of her own journey.
ECU alumna and 2025 Aluminate host, Cassie Silver
Dentons, the world's largest global law firm, continued its gracious role as Presenting Partner of Aluminate 2025. Ahead of ECU's School of Business and Law moving into the City Campus, John Park, Partner at Dentons' Perth office, spoke proudly of the firm's ongoing partnership with ECU and the transformative impact of the Dentons Aspire Law Scholarship, joined on the evening by this year's recipient, Jodi Kingston Wee.
This year's VIP guests included Councillor Liam Gobbert JP, representing the Lord Mayor; The Hon. René Le Miere KC, former WAAPA Board Chair, retired Judge of the Supreme Court of WA, former President of the Law Society of WA, and Commissioner of the Law Reform Commission of WA; and Michael Malone, Director of Seven West Media.
