With its graduates now numbering almost 30,000, USC Australia is keen to hear about the positive impact these former students are having close to home and across the world.

Nominations for the University’s 2021 Outstanding Alumni Awards are open until 30 August.

USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Bartlett said the awards created aspiration and inspiration for graduates, students, staff and communities regionally, national and globally.

“We are seeking nominations from anyone who knows a USC graduate excelling in their community or field of endeavour,” Professor Bartlett said.

“This is an opportunity for our communities to celebrate and share in the success of alumni who are making an impact and leading by example.”

The categories and criteria are the same as last year, including that nominees must have first graduated by 2019 or earlier.

The categories are: Outstanding Alumnus of the Year; Regional Achievement (for graduates shining in the broader Sunshine Coast region or another regional community); and Rising Star (for graduates aged 35 years or younger).

Last year’s winners were:

• MBA graduate Colin Vale of Caloundra, whose collaborative skills brought success for a group of companies in Papua New Guinea while also tackling the widespread community issue of domestic violence;
• Business graduate Raphael McGowan, whose Sunshine Coast business ‘bakslap’ produces a sunscreen application device;
• PhD graduate Dr Krystina Lamb, who is now researching renewable and hydrogen energy technology; and Business (Tourism) graduate Ali Couwenberg, a senior property marketing professional in Melbourne.

Nomination forms and guidelines are available online at www.usc.edu.au/alumniawards or by contacting Anita Edmonds at alumni@usc.edu.au or 07 5459 4564.