ECU Alumni Award winners (L-R) Elsie Penny OAM, Breanna Cameron, Christian Wright, Narelda Jacobs, Denise Goldsworthy AO (ECU Chancellor), Nalishebo Meebelo, Ed Kalajzic, Lorna Cook, Kevin Penkin.
On Wednesday night both the 2021 and 2022 Alumni Awards winners were announced at a ceremony held at the WA Art Gallery.
Edith Cowan University's Vice Chancellor, Professor Steve Chapman CBE, described his pride in what the winners have achieved, and how they represent the University.
"Our alumni are the public face of our University and we are proud to have played a part in their journey to success." Professor Chapman said.
"The winners have made a significant contribution to society, displayed dynamic and impactful leadership, and inspired others through their achievements."
2022 Alumni Award Winners
Winner of the Distinguished Alumni Award 2022 - Lorna Cook
Entrepreneur, innovator and healthcare advocate, Lorna Cook has changed the face of chemotherapy delivery for cancer patients in Australia.
Graduating from three courses at ECU, a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) in 1990, a Master of Nursing in 1997 and a Master of Business Administration in 2002, Lorna believed passionately that chemotherapy could be delivered safely and comfortably in a patient's home.
In 2013 she joined forces with a colleague and set up a private home chemotherapy service which is now a multi-award winning national company, performing approximately 85% of all home infusions across Australia.
Winner of the Community Alumni Award 2022 - Elsie Penny
Elsie has dedicated her life to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Channelling the trauma that resulted from being stolen from her family at the age of seven, Elsie says that caring for the community has helped her to come to terms with what happened to her as a child.
Loved and trusted by many in the community, Elsie's contribution was recognised in 2021 with Australia Day Honours (OAM) for her service to indigenous health.
Winner of the International Alumni Award 2022 - Kevin Penkin
Kevin is a BAFTA-nominated Japanese animation and video games composer with an impressive reputation as one of the world's best. His music has been recorded by orchestras all over the world and streamed by millions.
Kevin graduated from WAAPA with a Bachelor of Composition and Music Technology in 2012, and in the decade since, has made extraordinary global accomplishments in an extremely niche field.
Winner of the Young Alumni Award 2022 - Breanna Cameron
Breanna is a superstar in the world of mining – the youngest ever female excavator operator in WA, BHP's first female underground mine manager and now company director of her own mining contractor services company – all before the age of 34.
She completed a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Environmental) in 2018 after immersing herself in her studies and taking advantage of every extracurricular opportunity that she could.
Setting up her own mining contractor services company and making the transition from employee to employer is the accomplishment that she is most proud of so far.
2021 Alumni Award Winners
Winner of the Distinguished Alumni Award 2021 - Ed Kalajzic
Ed graduated ECU with a Bachelor of Business in 2004 and has experienced a fast-paced, dynamic career since. Taking multiple executive roles across varied industries, Ed has experience across finance, agriculture, State Government and climate change.
He currently works in the global operations team at Fortescue Future Industries (FFI), a global green energy company leading the international heavy industry against global warming.
He is also a non-executive Director of Reconciliation WA and sits on ECU's School of Business and Law Advisory Board. Ed's primary focus remains his family and he holds this value core to his leadership style.
Winner of the Community Alumni Award 2021 - Narelda Jacobs
Narelda was the first Aboriginal student to undertake WAAPA's broadcasting course, qualifying in 1999 with an Associate Degree of Performing Arts.
Starting her journalism career in 2000 at GWN Bunbury, it was within a few months that Narelda joined Network 10 and would become the first Aboriginal and openly lesbian news anchor for a commercial network in Australia. Some 20 years later, she is among Australia's most popular, and highly regarded journalists.
Narelda is an active advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion and through her involvement with various charities and non-profits has established herself as a prominent identity in Australia.
Winner of the International Alumni Award 2021 - Nalishebo Meebelo
Between 2001 and 2009, Nalishebo attained three degrees at ECU. Upon completion, she was hired to work at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as a CAADP Facilitator.
In that role, she facilitated the first ever Conference of African Ministers of Agriculture and Land (CAMA) in 2009.
With a passion for international development, she has worked to support African governments in developing holistic national and regional agricultural sector strategies, promoting evidence-based analyses, toward enhancing poverty reduction, eliminating hunger and boosting food security and nutrition in Africa.
Winner of the Young Alumni Award 2021 - Christian Wright
Christian graduated from the Master of Midwifery Practice in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at ECU in 2016 and became Western Australia's tenth male midwife.
Christian graduated as dux of his cohort and represented the School at the ECU Vice-Chancellors Awards for the Top 100 students of 2016.
His passion for addressing inequality in birthing and health contexts has seen him work in isolated communities across Papua New Guinea and Arnhem Land in Australia.
Advocacy has become a focus of Christian's work and he takes pride in seeing women become increasingly empowered in their birthing journey.
