Above: Alumnus of the Year for Early Career Achievement, Paul Tabone, prepares for a role.
CQUni graduates make an incredible impact on their own life, and that of their family, workplaces, industry and communities.
Each year we recognise a few of these outstanding accomplishments to industry and community through the Alumni Awards.
We’re proud to announce our 2018 winners, and celebrate where their qualifications have taken them, and the impact they are making.
Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
Alexander ‘Sandy’ Horneman-Wren SC (BBus, 1987)
This award recognises a graduate who has made an exceptional contribution to society and excelled in a professional context.
His Honour, Judge Alexander ‘Sandy’ Horneman-Wren’s contributions to industry and community have earned him recognition as the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year. Believed to be the first CQUniversity graduate (including predecessor institutes) to become a Judge, he has also been deeply involved in his local community of Ipswich.
Sandy is currently a Judge of the Children’s and the Planning and Environmental Courts of Queensland. He’s worked in a diverse range of areas including civil, human rights, administrative law, and professional disciplines.
Sandy’s dedication extends to his local community of Ipswich, where his achievements as the President of the Ipswich Arts Foundation and Trustee of the Gallery significantly impacted the financial success of the Ipswich Art Gallery, but more importantly, Ipswich’s cultural capital and community engagement.
More about Sandy’s achievements.
Alumnus of the Year – Industry Achievement
Tanya Orman (BA, 1997)
This award recognises a graduate who has achieved to a high standard and made an exceptional contribution in their industry or profession.
Tanya Orman has focussed her career on empowering people who would otherwise have a marginalised voice, while making an exceptional contribution to her industry as one of the youngest TV executives in Australia.
As the NITV Channel Manager, she led the organisation’s transition into the SBS and launch as a free-to-air channel. Prior to this, she was one of the first Commissioning Editors for NITV. She is the current Chair of the World Indigenous TV Broadcast Network, which represents broadcasts from Norway, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and the USA, with a vision to preserve and promote Indigenous languages and cultures worldwide.
More about Tanya’s achievements.
Alumnus of the Year – Social Impact
Robin Man Amatya (BBus, 2008)
This award recognises a graduate who has made significant social impact through their collaborative social innovation work within the profit, non-profit, community or public sectors or through volunteering.
Robin Amatya is empowering women in Nepal through micro-enterprises. Through his passion for change, and vision and ability, Robin is making powerful community transformation. Robin is the founder and CEO of SAARC Business Association of Home Based Workers (SABAH Nepal) and has led the establishment of 8 community centres, 3 cafes and 6 retail outlets. Through these, SABAH Nepal provides education, training and opportunities for women to grow their skills, earn money and improve social growth. Led by Robin, SABAH Nepal has changed the lives of more than 2 500 home-based workers and impacted an additional 1 500 community members.
More about Robin’s achievements.
Alumnus of the Year – Early Career Achievement
Paul Tabone (BMusTheatre, 2008)
This Award recognises a graduate who has demonstrated significant career achievements or positive impact within 5 years of graduation from CQUni.
Paul Tabone has established a music career that has seen him perform on Broadway, West End and across Europe. Paul is currently performing in a lead role in The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre on London’s West End.
Paul won the CQUniversity Australia Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music ‘Most Promising Voice for Music Theatre Award’ in 2007 & 2009, and immediately after graduating made his solo debut in Opera Queensland’s world premiere of The Dirty Apple. He subsequently was engaged with Dmand Entertainment’s Tenorissimo and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies. In 2012, Paul moved to Italy to pursue his career and has experienced significant success, performing major roles across Europe and in the United States.
More about Paul’s achievements
