SUNNY PAIA’AUA Graduate Award for Social Impact
ROSEMARY MORROW University of Sydney Alumni Award for International Achievement Rosemary (Rowe) (Fresher 1966) is a pioneer of permaculture and has spent a career of over 40 years providing aid and education to people the world over. Rowe works largely with traumatised people in dangerous and war-torn parts of the world, particularly with communities where generations of knowledge have been lost with those who have died in conflict. Having created a globally applicable coherent framework for cultivated systems that will enable people to live, Rowe provides these people with the practical skills to transform their own lives.
“I think the most significant thing about Sancta is that is a wonderful refuge, it is a place to regroup, a place to have intellectual discussion and it is a place to be accepted. Most of all, it is a place to be safe.”
PROF MARGARET ALSTON OAM Alumni Award for the Empowerment of Women Margaret (Fresher 1971) is currently Professor of Social Work at The University of Newcastle, and Professor Emeritus at Monash University. She has worked for many years to improve the lives of women through gender equity, undertaking national and international studies to identify issues and find solutions. At Monash, Margaret established the Gender, Leadership and Social
Sunny (Fresher 2012) is the founder of OiOiOi, an organisation which spreads mateship through a shared sense of experience, mutual respect, and unconditional assistance between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. This is done by engaging local Indigenous artists and providing them with a platform to showcase their artwork on a national and international scale on the shoes of players from multiple national sporting codes. Sunny is also a World Economic Forum Global Shaper, and the Chair of the QLD Red Cross Youth Advisory Committee. She was invited to be part of the International Red Cross/ Red Crescent movement whereby she mobilised young Australians and gained valuable insights that will contribute globally to the Red Cross’s Strategy 2020.
“It’s no secret that the disparities Indigenous Australians experience – incarceration rates, life expectancy, resilience post-disaster – is not up to standard… While I was at Sancta, I really honed in on the “that’s not right” spirit and that was a pivotal time that led me to what I work for today.”
Sustainability (GLASS) research unit, attracting up to 20 PhD students. She has supported many students, particularly women, through their studies at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She is a member of the UN Women’s Major Group, was awarded an OAM for her services to work and rural women, and has recently completed projects on gender and climate change with OXFAM and UNESCO.
“To all the young people: When you see a challenge, really look it in the face. You’ll be uncomfortable but there’s no room for complacency now. Put rights and social justice at the centre of your work and never stop learning because humanity depends upon it.”
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