Faculty of Education and Arts Alumni Achievers
- School of Humanities and Social Science
- School of Drama, Fine Art and Music
- School of Education
2011 Faculty of Education and Arts Alumni Achievers
Ms Julie Squires
Resident Artist
The Gasworks Art Park
Victoria, Australia
Master of Fine Art 2006
Graduate Diploma in Art 1996
Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts) 1994
2011 RECIPIENT – THE NEWTON-JOHN AWARD
Originally from Newcastle, Julie is now resident artist at the Gasworks Art Park in Albert Park, Melbourne. Specialising in steel fabrication and bronze cast sculpture, Julie’s work has proved both popular and accessible to the public. Newcastle Port Authority has gifted her major bronze sculpture Destiny to seaports in China as
an acknowledgement of the two nation’s friendship.
In 2004 - 2005, after a speaking tour of Russia, UK, USA and Canada, Julie managed the building and installation of the Australian Pavilion at the World Expo in Japan. After finishing work as a Creative Director of Indigenous Art on the Australian Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, Julie was selected to represent Australia at the Shanghai Biennale in China. Julie’s work with indigenous communities surrounding Alice Springs is a further testament to her abilities to coordinate and manage complex art projects.
Julie’s body of work includes 20 Public Art Commissions in Australia and pieces are held in collections in Australia, Europe, China and the United Kingdom.
Mrs Debbie Barwick
Founding Director and Chairperson
NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce
Diploma in Aboriginal Studies 1998
2011 FINALIST – INDIGENOUS ALUMNI AWARD
Debbie is a Gamilaroi Woman from Bora Crossing NSW and a direct descendant of the Barwick, Wortley and Talbot Families. As a government lobbyist and advocate for improved access to resources and more relevant business programs for the Indigenous business sector, Debbie has spent the last 13 years working with Indigenous entrepreneurs and business operators to assist them in realising their visions. Debbie’s collaborations with some of the country’s most esteemed Indigenous business leaders have led to the establishment of the first Indigenous Chamber of Commerce in NSW, the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council and the Indigenous Business Council of Australia.
In 2011, Debbie’s received the NSW Premier’s Award for Excellence for her for her work as; Founder, CEO and Chairperson Mandurah Hunter Indigenous Business Chamber; NSW Director Indigenous Business Council of Australia; Committee Member NSW Aboriginal Business Roundtable, NSW Trade & Investment, Regional Infrastructure & Services; Chairperson Awabakal Newcastle Aboriginal Cooperative; and Member National Indigenous Business Women’s Network, Australia.
Mr David Berthold
Artistic Director
La Boite Theatre Company
Queensland, Australia
Bachelor of Arts 1986
2011 FINALIST – THE NEWTON-JOHN AWARD
David is one of Australia’s leading theatre directors and has directed for most of Australia’s major theatre companies. During his time as the Artistic Director of Sydney’s Griffin Theatre Company he transformed it into Australia’s leading new writing theatre. As Artistic Director of the Australia Theatre for Young People he transformed the organisation to become Australia’s flagship theatre for young people. During his years as Associate Director of the Sydney Theatre Company, David directed over 20 productions – many of them premiers.
In 1992 David won a Matilda Award for his contribution to Theatre in Queensland and in 1993 served on the Queensland Government Arts Advisory Committee. In 2010 he received a second Matilda award for the repositioning of the La Boite Theatre Company. David has served as an arts advocate and advisor for numerous bodies, including the Australia Council, National Institute of Dramatic Arts, the Australian Musical Foundation and several universities.
Mr Scott Bevan
ABC News Journalist and Television Presenter
Newcastle, Australia
Bachelor of Arts 1989
2011 FINALIST – ALUMNI AWARD FOR NATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Scott began his career in journalism in 1984 at The Newcastle Herald. After a stint reporting and presenting news for commercial radio, he moved to Tokyo to improve the Japanese he studied at university. In 1991 he returned to Australia to become a television reporter. In his role as a news and current affairs reporter at Nine Network he covered major events such as the East Timor crisis, the Australia embassy bombing and the Papua New Guinea and Banda Aceh tsunamis.
Scott is currently a host on the nightly ABC News 24 program, he
is the host of The World - a nightly one-hour international affairs
and current affairs program - and he is a contributory presenter to The 7.30 Report. Scott also anchors the late news each week night. In addition to pursuing journalism, Scott has written two non-fiction books and two plays which were subsequently produced.
Mrs Karen Carey
Director of Music
Methodist Ladies College
Sydney, Australia
Bachelor of Education 1989
Diploma of Music Education 1969
2011 FINALIST – THE NEWTON-JOHN AWARD
Karen’s outstanding professional career and contribution to music education was recognised when she received the National Award for Excellence from the Australian Society for Music Education and the Australian Government Quality Teacher program. In 2011, Karen was the subject of the acclaimed documentary Mrs Carey’s Concert where her work with the Methodist Ladies College was showcased.
Karen’s career in music education has seen her work at a diverse range of schools where she was able to marshal students, staff and parents into performing well received choral pieces. The common thread throughout her career is the integration of school-based music into the community. Karen’s development of strategic partnerships has allowed students to follow their musical passions whether it be to compose music, interact with resident composers, access high-level musicians through the profession’s Partners Program or to perform at the Opera House. She is a community engagement expert at work!
Dr Kerrie Doyle
Associate Professor
Indigenous Health
University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) 1999
Graduate Diploma in Health Science 1993
2011 FINALIST – INDIGENOUS ALUMNI AWARD
Despite commencing her education as a mature age student, Kerrie now holds an impressive number of qualifications. A Bachelor of Arts in Psychology; a Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Mental Health and Social and Emotional Well-being; a Graduate Diploma of Applied Sciences; a Masters of Indigenous Health; and a Doctorate in Integrating Community into Local Health Services. Kerrie is currently enrolled in her second Doctorate on Social Inclusion in Aboriginal Communities at the University of Newcastle.
Kerrie’s early career saw her complete Certificates in General Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, and Renal Nursing, before she commenced a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the age of 33. Now an Endeavour Award Fellow researching identity issues in New Zealand, Kerrie is also an Associate Professor of Indigenous Health at the University of Canberra. Kerrie’s teaching has made a significant impact on ensuring the cultural proficiency of Australian health care practitioners and cemented her place as a role model for Aboriginal people.
Mr James Morris
Companion
Camp Quality
Newcastle, New South Wales
Bachelor of Education 1998
Diploma in Teaching 1990
2011 FINALIST – ALUMNI AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE
James has been a volunteer Companion with Camp Quality for six years, and is heavily involved in the planning, running and mentoring aspects of this charitable organisation. James has helped to develop numerous camp programs and activities for children living with cancer, and mentored new companions on the policies and procedures required of the camp. Going beyond the call of duty, James is actively involved in the 24-hour care required by camp attendees.
James has developed and participated in the numerous fundraising activities required to provide the cash flow necessary for Camp Quality to function. As a founding member of the Giggle Ball, James was instrumental in assisting the Ball to become the biggest fund raising event of the year. The Ball now attracts sufficient funds to support the attendance of over 100 children each year to the programs run by Camp Quality.
2010 Faculty of Education and Arts Achievers
Gerry Collins
Executive Producer
ABC Radio Sport (Queensland)
Bachelor of Primary Teaching
(Newcastle Teachers College), 1969
Faculty of Education and Arts
Gerry was a finalist for the 2010 Alumni Award for National Leadership.
After a few years of teaching, Gerry moved into journalism and is now recognised as one of ABC’s most experienced sports journalists. Broadcasting nationally for the ABC, he has called races for Australia from the last six Olympic Games, all Commonwealth Games since 1986 and all Rugby World Cups since 1999, winning a number of media awards over the years.
He has been a Master of Ceremonies for a range of community events supporting health, sport, and philanthropic organisations, and has mentored a number of young journalists. He has provided media training for athletes at the Australian Institute of Sport, the Queensland Academy of Sport, the Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Rugby Union.
He has also provided his service as a keynote speaker for NUsport at the University of Newcastle Blues Awards.
Nick Mitzevich
Director - Art Gallery of South Australia
Diploma in Education, 1994
Post Graduate Diploma in Fine Art, 1992
Bachelor of Fine Art, 1991
Faculty of Education and Arts
Nick is the 2010 recipient of the Alumni Award for National Leadership.
In 2001, Nick was appointed the Director, Newcastle Region Art Gallery - one of the youngest ever to lead a major gallery in this capacity in Australia. Responsible for expanding the gallery's profile within the region and nationally, his work attracted significant funding from the government and business sectors.
His drive and vision have been emulated in the galleries and museums sector, and his work helped cement Newcastle's reputation as a city with an important and valued cultural history.
In 2007, Nick was appointed Director, Queensland University Art Gallery, and in July of this year he was appointed as the Director of the Art Gallery of South Australia - the youngest gallery director in its 129 year history.
In these roles across Australia, he has been a leading light in engaging communities with the galleries
and is having a significant influence as a leader in the national art sector.
David Williams
Teacher, Utopia School, Northern Territory
Bachelor of Teaching / Bachelor of Arts, 2002
Diploma in Aboriginal Studies, 1998
Faculty of Education and Arts / The Wollotuka Institute
David was a finalist for the 2010 Indigenous Alumni Award.
David starting teaching at Utopia in 2002, a remote indigenous community located 360kms from Alice Springs. He enlisted the help of an English speaking local to interpret in the classroom,
as English is typically the third or fourth language after the traditional languages.
In his first year, he worked with Community Health to introduce a program which saw middle ear infections drop dramatically within 12 months, personally funding most of the needed supplies. With the support of Elders, David has been instrumental in funding and providing transport for students to make and sell handmade items at Market Night in Alice Springs, using the activity to implement experiential learning tasks. He has made an extraordinary commitment and is making a difference in this small community.