Recognising our stars
Issue 20 | Spring/Summer 2007
Report: Sophie Marcard
Photography: Paul Phillipson and Greg Ford
Monash University celebrated its prominent alumni at the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Awards in August. The glittering evening, held at the Carousel overlooking Melbourne's Albert Park Lake, also saw the presentation of new categories of awards for young alumni and service to the Monash alumni network.
Chancellor Jerry Ellis presented the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Awards to clinician and health academic Tan Sri Dato' Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman (MBBS 1968, HonMD 1997) and eminent graphic designer Mr Richard Henderson (DipArtDes 1974).
Tan Sri Abu Bakar is Vice-Chancellor and President of the International Medical University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His career includes time working in clinical health care, in government and tertiary education.
Accepting his award, Tan Sri Abu Bakar paid tribute to the founders of Monash, its leaders and his graduating class of 1968. "Monash gave shape to our values. It helped prepare us to cope with our career challenges. This award is a truly exceptional honour and it is a great privilege to receive it," he said.
Richard Henderson is best known for his company's widely recognised visual-identity work for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games and Sydney Olympic Games and high-profile organisations including BHP Billiton and the MCG.
As the first Faculty of Art and Design graduate to receive a Distinguished Alumni Award, Mr Henderson spoke about the importance of creativity and how his studies helped shape his future. "The highlight of my time at Monash Uni was finding my sense of purpose -- to be a creative person. The University nurtured that idea, helped me to express that idea and I met my mentor there. It was the foundation for everything that I have done since," he said.
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| Mr Pakpong Kawprasert, Professor Albert Leung, Mr Rob Gerrand and Dr Yeo Poh Teck |
Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins presented one of the new awards for service to the alumni network. The award was jointly granted to the founders or first presidents of the Monash alumni associations in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and Thailand.
Speaking on behalf of the four recipients, Dr Albert Leung (PhD 1982) commented on the rewards of contributing to the alumni community. "Monash had a big impact on our lives, so we have a strong desire to continue our connection with the University," Dr Leung said.
Professor Larkins also presented the inaugural Distinguished Young Alumni Award to medical researcher Dr Renea Taylor (BSc(Hons) 1998, PhD 2003). Dr Taylor was selected from a very strong field of nominated Monash graduates aged under 35.
Dr Taylor believes that her Monash education gave her a strong foundation. "Every day in my career in prostate cancer biology, I have applied the skills of learning, lateral thinking and interpreting new ideas and concepts," she said.
Students and staff, from the Monash University Academy of Performing Arts and School of Music -- Conservatorium provided entertainment at the awards with theatrical, musical and operatic performances. Alumna Dr Sally Cockburn (MBBS 1982) was the evening's MC. The impressive trophies were designed by Ms Bethany Wheeler.
Monash University Distinguished Alumni Awards 2007
Major sponsor: KPMG
Corporate sponsor: Slade Group
Distinguished Alumni Award 2007
- Tan Sri Dato' Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman (MBBS 1968, HonMD 1997)
- Mr Richard Henderson (DipArtDes 1974)
Distinguished Young Alumni Award 2007
- Dr Renea Taylor (BSc (Hons) 1998, PhD 2003)
Distinguished Alumni |Service Award 2007
- Mr Rob Gerrand (BA 1996)
Monash Alumni Association Incorporated
- Dr Yeo Poh Teck (BMedSc 1969, MBBS 1971, PhD 1976)
Monash University Alumni Association Singapore
- Dr Albert Leung (PhD 1982)
Monash University Alumni Association Hong Kong
- Mr Pakpong Kawprasert (MBA 2000)
Monash University Alumni Association Thailand
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