Russell Dykstra
Alumnus of the Year & Faculty of Arts
Russell Dykstra is a successful and accomplished actor who has starred in many film, television and theatre productions. His most recent credits include: Film: Oranges and Sunshine (Dan), View from Greehaven Drive (Tim), Hey, Hey it’s Esther Blueburger (Osmond Blueburger) and Romulus My Father (Mitru). Television: Rake (Series 1 and 2 – Barney), Wild Boys (Winston), Spirited (Adam), My Place (Mr Merry) and Theatre: The Addams Family (Fester), Baby Teeth (Gideon) and God of Carnage (Michael). Russell has also received a range of awards for his acting prowess, including the Helpmann and Sydney Theatre Award for Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role for Toy Symphony, an AFI Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Romulus My Father.
Key to success: Never give up, study the particular aspect of the craft you love and go where the work/scene is happening. I was found because I was getting out there and being active in my pursuit for work and excellence. I delivered shows that were dynamic and exciting. I put myself in the shoes of others and did what they wanted and also what excited me.
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Wing Commander Martin Smith
International Alumnus of the Year
From USQ to the Pentagon! Martin Smith is the Deputy Director of Future Concepts for The Pentagon, presiding over the future operational concepts of the world’s most potent fighting force. Prior to this, Martin worked in various roles for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) including, Managing Director and Strategic Operations Manager. Martin has been responsible for commanding a multi-national force of 600 members, drawn from six countries, while securing and sustaining a Forward Operating Base of 6,500 personnel in the middle of a war in Afghanistan.
Martin Smith holds rank of Wing Commander with the RAAF and in 2012 was awarded the Australia Day Commendation for Distinguished Service: Outstanding Leadership in Combat. Martin attributes much of his success to the lifeline given to him by USQ through the tertiary bridging course that provided him the confidence to complete with Distinction a Bachelor of Business in Accounting (1993) and Master of Business Administration (2001).
Key to success: A "never say never" attitude. Being prepared to jump in the deep end and make things work is what I do; motivating others to jump with me is how I do it.
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Tanya Stevenson
Young Alumnus of the Year
It takes passion, drive, determination, a focused vision and finding your niche in life to succeed. If you have all of this under control before the age of 35, you are doing very well. Tanya Stevenson has worked her way up motivated by her passion for community service to Area Manager of the Wide Bay Burnett Region of UnitingCare Community. Tanya manages 39 staff and counsellors across 16 programs throughout the Wide Bay Burnett Region.
Prior to this, Tanya was Client Services Manager, managing 21 counsellors across 8 counselling programs. Tanya is committed to community service and prior to these key roles, Tanya was also a Youth Support Manager and Coordinator with UnitingCare Community.
Ms Stevenson has completed several degrees, certificates and diplomas to support her management roles including a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) (2006) and Masters in Education (Guidance & Counselling) (2008) at USQ.
To acknowledge her achievements, Tanya was also awarded ‘Young Business Person of the Year’, Fraser Coast, in 2012.
Key to success: Keep learning and trying new things. From reading books to attending trainings but I love to listen to people, anyone and everyone, about their experiences and learn from them. Just keep doing something. Also, I believe in caring for each other. We get so wrapped up with the busyness of our own lives and expectations that we forget to enjoy the simple things in life.
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Craig Scroggie
Faculty of Business & Law Alumnus of the Year
When you think ICT, the name that comes to mind is Craig Scroggie, with over 20 years’ experience in the ICT industry. Craig Scroggie is a well-respected and accomplished business man who holds the position of Chief Executive Officer of NEXTDC, an IT service provider located in Brisbane, Queensland.
Prior to joining NEXTDC, Mr Scroggie was Vice President & Managing Director of Symantec in the Pacific region.
Craig holds three degrees with USQ: a Graduate Certificate in Management (2001), a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (2007), and a Master of Business Administration (2009). |
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Rachael Jacobs
Faculty of Education Alumnus of the Year
Rachael Jacobs is a Lecturer in Creative Arts Education at Australian Catholic University. As part of her role, Rachael has been successful in attaining a number of grants relating to arts education and alternative assessment practices. Rachel completed a Master of Education at USQ in 2007. Her research experience and interests include; creative arts education, performance assessment and assessment in higher education.
Ms Jacobs is an accomplished writer with many publications and conference presentation papers to her name. Since 2008, Rachael has also received several awards for excellence in teaching and innovative approaches to assessment.
Key to Success: An environment conducive to success - that means the ability to make your own choices, a degree of social mobility and a supportive environment. Some luck, and then pure hard work and determination are the keys. I would have loved to throw the towel in a million times, but then I wouldn't be as happy as I am now. |
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Gerard Reiter
Faculty of Engineering & Surveying Alumnus of the Year
If there is a tricky technical problem to be solved, Gerard Reiter is the man to help solve it. He is the Executive General Manager of Capital Program Delivery for TransGrid, a high voltage network company connecting generators, distributors and major end users in NSW and the ACT. Gerard has been a key contributor to the restructure of the TransGrid business unit from a traditional discipline based business, into an Asset Manager, Service Provider Business.
Gerard completed a Bachelor of Engineering Electrical/Electronic (Hons) at USQ in 1992 and since then has been employed in various Engineering positions throughout Queensland, other areas of Australia, as well as overseas in Germany and Switzerland. Gerard has also won several Powerlink Business Excellence Achievement Awards.
He is the Executive General Manager of Capital Program Delivery for TransGrid and previously employed in various engineering positions throughout Australia and overseas. Gerard has also won several Powerlink Business Excellence achievement awards.
Key to success: Being prepared to travel where the opportunities are! I have lived and worked throughout the Northern Territory, Queensland and overseas in Europe and now I am based in NSW.
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Anthony Leicht
Faculty of Sciences Alumnus of the Year
James Cook University (JCU), Townsville is fortunate to have star basketball player turned academic, Anthony Leicht as Associate Professor in the Institute of Sport and Exercise Science department.
Anthony Leicht has completed an astounding four degrees with the University of Southern Queensland, including a Bachelor of Applied Sciences (1990) including honours in (1991), Graduate Diploma of Further Education & Training (1996) and Doctor of Philosophy (1998). Anthony’s employment history is broad, commencing as a Research Assistant at USQ, followed by Senior Lecturer, Director, Deputy Director and current role, Associate Professor at JCU.
Anthony is also an accomplished researcher and writer, with an extensive list of publications including Theses, internationally recognised journal articles as well as International and National abstracts and conference proceedings.
Key to success: Working hard and being focused and doing something that you do enjoy, as opposed to something where you are just going through the grind. Doing tasks that I really enjoy helps me focus on what I want to do. |
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