Dear QUT graduate
QUT is committed to being a university that reflects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement, success and empowerment, including embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge, and perspectives across everything it does.
As we come towards the end of NAIDOC Week (3-10 July), we have had the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the unique history, culture and achievements of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
This month’s newsletter highlights the perspectives, stories and activities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at QUT, and aims to connect our alumni to country, community and each other.
Among our alumni are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trailblazers making outstanding contributions and achievements at the highest levels in their professions, communities and society as a whole.
It is encouraging to see that over the last decade, past QUT Indigenous Outstanding Alumni Award winners and several Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander alumni have been recognised for their groundbreaking achievements in the legal profession: Tony McAvoy SC as Australian Senior Counsel, Jacqui Payne, as Queensland Magistrate, Nathan Jarro, as Judge of the Queensland District Court and, most recently, Lincoln Crowley QC appointed as a Justice to Queensland Supreme Court.
Having worked across government, industry, research and the non-profit sector in the Asia-Pacific region, and now as Head of Purpose at Fujitsu Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, it is my privilege to champion and incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing and being into policy development and implementation. This work drives transformational and cultural change across sustainability, diversity and inclusion while delivering positive social impact.
My connection with QUT has also come full circle, from my early days after graduation as an Associate Lecturer in Indigenous education and health with QUT’s Oodgeroo Unit to most recently partnering with QUT through Fujitsu as a proud sponsor of the National Indigenous Business Summer School.
It gives me great pleasure to be this month’s guest editor and help support QUT’s vision of recognising and fostering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander excellence, paving the way for the next generation of leaders to take their rightful place in Australian society.
Your guest editor