Service oriented

Service oriented

Report: Sophie Marcard
Photography: Greg Ford

The contributions of prominent Monash University volunteer Ms Sue Renkin (MBA 1995) have been recognised at this year’s Distinguished Alumni Awards.

Monash presented Ms Renkin with the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Service Award for her commitment to the University.

Ms Renkin is the managing director of her own consulting company and former CEO of Open Family Australia.  She has supported Monash as a volunteer for many years.

In addition to advising senior staff of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences as a member of the Dean's Advisory Committee, Ms Renkin is the current Chairman of Green Chemical Futures and the Victorian Centre for Sustainable Chemical Manufacturing.

Ms Renkin previously held the positions of Chairman of Monash Centre for Synchrotron Science, which over time has evolved into Monash Biomedical Imaging Institute, and Chairman of Monash Centre for Green Chemistry. She was also on the advisory committee for the MBA Program.

“I got involved with Monash because I saw there was a real need for the corporate world to actually engage with academia and to give back,” said Ms Renkin.

“I studied my MBA at Monash ending in ’95 and I realised then that both sides had a lot to give. From an academic point of view, the institution had a lot to give people. But we had a responsibility, and I think an obligation, to support the work that the University did to help the corporate world.”

Ms Renkin finds her inspiration to volunteer from a number of sources.

“I have got a really strong social conscious and I believe that we all have a responsibility to give back,” she said.

“No matter how far you get in life you can always give something to help someone else. Over my life I probably have volunteered a lot, whether it be when my kids were young through their local sporting groups and guides ... I’ve also volunteered looking at homeless youth and working with slums in Kenya.”

In accepting her award Ms Renkin reflected on the work of other volunteers to the University.

“Achieving this award from Monash for contribution to service is something I never ever expected. I don’t believe I deserve it. I think so many people do so much more than I do. I’m humbled by the award and I’m very flattered by it,” she said.

“I hope that what the award means is that I continue to give even more in years to come.”