Kerry Betros AM
2023 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Alumnus of the Year and 2023 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Outstanding Alumnus in Business & Enterprise
Bachelor of Business 1971
Kerry Betros AM has been a leader in the business and banking community for almost 50 years. He served as the Chairman of the Heritage Bank Board from 2012 until the merger with People's Choice in March 2023 and played a crucial role in steering the organisation’s success. Prior to his role as chairman, Kerry served as a director on the board for three decades. Kerry was selected as the inaugural chairman of Heritage’s finance committee, as well as chairman of the audit committee. Kerry also holds the position of Managing Director for Betros Bros Holdings Pty Ltd and associated companies. Established in 1938, Betros Bros is a Darling Downs-based wholesaler and retailer well known in the community for supporting and employing locals. He has made many valued contributions to the community and his service has been recognised on many occasions. He was honoured with the Centenary of Federation Medal for distinguished contributions. In 2021, he was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). Kerry is also a Fellow of CPA Australia. He was a previous Director of St Vincent’s Hospital (Toowoomba) and is still involved in this organisation.
Judith Hickson
2023 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Outstanding Alumnus in Creative Industries & Humanities
Bachelor of Arts (International Relations & Anthropology) 2010
Judith Hickson’s passionate belief in each person’s unique history shines through her work as an anthropologist and curator. She is currently a member of the Australian Museum & Galleries Association and Australian Migrant History Network and serves as Review Editor on the Editorial Board of the Australian Historical Studies Journal. She has previously worked at the National Museum of Australia. Judith has also served as a member of the Australian Museums & Galleries Association and the Australian Migrant History Network. Judith has generously contributed to the communities in which she has lived over many decades, most recently volunteering in a leadership role for Rosie’s Friends on the Street. She has also given many presentations over her career and is regularly involved with ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø as a speaker and advisor.
Alan Jones
2023 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Outstanding Alumnus in Education
Bachelor of Arts (English Literature) 1996; Graduate Diploma of Professional Communications (Public Relations) 2002; and Master of Communications (Public Relations) 2004
Alan Jones is widely recognised as a respected educational leader who has made substantial contributions to the field of education in Queensland. After graduating from ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, he began his career in the classroom before progressing through roles including Head of Department (English), Deputy Principal, and Principal. He now serves as Regional Director for Darling Downs South West in addition to advocacy roles such as Torres Strait Islander Ambassador, recruiting teachers to some of the most remote classrooms in the state. Throughout his distinguished career, Alan’s exceptional leadership qualities have enabled him to bring about positive change and cultivate a culture of excellence in education. He has exhibited a profound understanding of the intricate dynamics of educational administration.
Floyd Leedie
2023 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Outstanding Alumnus in Health & Wellbeing
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) 1999
Floyd Leedie, Chief Executive Officer of Goondir Health Services, is passionate about making a positive difference to Indigenous peoples and communities and has made it his life’s work, especially the Luma LUma Nation in Far North Queensland Coastal Region, Kullillee Nation in the Far South West Queensland Region and the Wakka Wakka Nation in the South Burnett/Central Burnett Region. He has made significant contributions to the health and wellbeing of communities across Darling Downs, South Burnett and Southwest Queensland. Floyd has been recognised nationally as a recipient of the AGPAL Aboriginal Medical Service of the Year Award (2013-2014), Quality Improvement awards from the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (2013), and several business excellence awards. Floyd is an innovator who has played a critical role in providing important Indigenous knowledge and cultural insight. His work utilises the integration of research and practice to improve Indigenous health outcomes and healthcare delivery through a collaborative approach with various research teams and stakeholders, including ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, CSIRO and the Menzies School of Health Sciences.
Jane O’Donnell
2023 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Highly Commended Alumnus in Health and Wellbeing
Bachelor of Nursing 2003
Jane O’Donnell has dedicated her nursing career to caring for rural and remote communities – providing exemplary, community-centred care in remote locations across four states over two decades. She spent four years as the sole emergency responder in a 200km radius in central Queensland, where she founded a preventative health clinic teaching local children about health. Jane later oversaw 85 staff in a leadership position at Western Australia’s second-largest regional hospital. She has since returned to her hometown of Dalby and now serves as Director of Nursing and Midwifery. In this role, Jane has led a culture of transparency, accountability, and consistency. Jane also actively champions for ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø students and graduates as they prepare for their own health careers. Jane continues to be committed to the community, including leading the establishment of a Community Advisory Group and as lead member of the District and Disaster Management Group.
Christopher Trace
2023 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Outstanding Alumnus in Law & Justice
Bachelor of Laws 2016
Christopher opened his legal practice in 2019 consisting of Heritage Conveyancing, Heritage City Legal and Heritage Family Law to serve the Ipswich and Springfield communities. He is passionate about giving back to the community and he and his firm routinely provide pro-bono services. His firm regularly employs current ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø students and alumni as he appreciates the quality of the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø experience.Christopher has held positions within Neighbourhood Watch as Assistant Treasurer for the Ipswich Region and Coordinator of Augustine Heights where he organised Halloween fundraising events. He is currently a member of the James Cook University Business and Law School Alumni Advisory Board. He was the previous president of the Ipswich City Orchestra and guided the organisation through the process of incorporation and establishment as a registered charitable entity under ACNC. Christopher is a pro-bono lawyer for Metro Arts in Brisbane and has provided assistance to the Domestic Violence Action Centre in Ipswich. He is an ardent supporter of Drought Angels, which supports farming families, an active member of Rotary and advises the Ipswich Show Society Inc.
Prabal Barua
2023 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Alumni Award for Excellence in Research
Doctor of Philosophy (Business) 2020
Prabal Barua is the Academic Dean at the Australian International Institute of Higher Education. He has distinguished himself through professional, academic and community service. He is an entrepreneur who has established several successful companies that employ over 200 staff, including many ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø alumni. Prabal is also a highly successful entrepreneurial researcher who regularly partners with a wide range of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø staff in research. Through his companies, he has been an essential industry partner for competitive research grants and has also directly awarded grants to ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø research teams and provided scholarships for ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø research students.He has built a strong research profile with over 100 publications. Prabal is also the CEO of Cogninet Australia, an Adjunct Professor at the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, University of New England, Talyor’s University-Malysia, a Visiting Professor at SRM University-India, an Industry Fellow of the University of Technology - Sydney, a member of the ICT Industry Advisory Board at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø; and a member of the ICT Programs Leadership & Governance Committee at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.
Michael Armstrong
2023 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Alumni Community Service Award
Master of Arts (Creative Arts) 2021
Mike Armstrong is an award winning contemporary artist, author and veteran of the Australian Army for 23 years. He began his art studies at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø while deployed in Iraq and now works in a variety of mediums from his art studio in Canberra. Mike is mentor to artists and works with art galleries, museums and events around Australia. Mike supports veteran health through art, movement and connection. He uses his art to explore his and other veteran experiences after service as they live with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He offers regular opportunities for people through his projects, Voices of Veterans and Rogue BJJ. Mike created Voices of Veterans in 2021 – an award winning art photography project that uses molasses as a metaphor for living with PTSD. Since then, Voices of Veterans has influenced countless veterans and their families to get help. It has created awareness of the veteran health crisis by exhibiting the artworks as exhibitions around Australia. Mike facilitates art workshops on everything from life drawing to classic oil painting and paint making. He has studied martial arts for most of his life and holds black belts in several arts, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). His organisation, Rogue BJJ is a revolutionary studio that supports the Canberra community with small group and individualised training to support growth, community and personal expression. He supports veterans and first responders connect to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a healing modality. Mikes’ contribution to community through art and movement is outstanding. He has successfully supported multiple Australians to reach out and take the necessary steps toward a better life after service.
Jake Clark
2023 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Young Alumnus of the Year
Doctor of Philosophy (Astronomy) 2022
Jake Clark completed his highly successful PhD studies at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø in 2022 and has since dedicated a public service career to ensure underserved young people can better access science and research that reveals the wonders of space. After graduating in August 2022, he began working at the intersection of science communication, social science and data science to better tell the many stories and far-reaching impacts of science for Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre, Questacon.In May 2023, only 10 months into his employment, Jake won the government-wide award Australian Public Service Early Career Data Award, highlighting his innovative and resourceful solutions to real-world problems. During his time at Questacon, Jake has been spearheading an evaluation community of practice with Australia’s leading STEM providers, including CSIRO, Australian Space Discovery Centre, The Australian Academy of Science and SciTech. The aim of this community of practice is to lift the evaluation conducted in STEM outreach across Australia to better articulate the impacts and outcomes of STEM engagement.
Keegan Peace
2023 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Highly Commended Young Alumnus of the Year
Bachelor of Education (Primary) 2019
Keegan is a successful and respected young educator who has made significant contributions to the Ipswich and Brisbane communities. In 2020, he was awarded the Independent Education Union's Beginning Educator Award, highlighting his early achievements in the field of education and advocacy. In 2022, he received the Algester Queensland Day Award after being nominated by a parent in his class. Keegan's commitment to energising his learners and engaging with the parent and school community has also earned him a spot as an excellence awardee in the 2023 Australian Education Awards. Beyond his work in the classroom, Keegan actively contributes to his school community by running a successful after-school history club. His work with Vietnam veteran outreach and education recently earned the club the Queensland Anzac Day award - the funds of which he is using to create a memorial project with Veteran's in the community. He also serves in varied roles through the Queensland Teacher's Union and actively volunteers his time for many groups. He has authored and released two books, "The Polka Dot Prince" and "Conrad Curlew Makes a Newspaper”.