Deakin's 2024 Alumni Awards showcase benefits of inclusive and accessible education

Deakin University last night celebrated the achievements of 10 remarkable alumni including the leader of an organisation dedicated to preventing family violence against Aboriginal women, and a play therapist taking progressive therapy techniques to children in remote locations.

Djirra CEO Antoinette Braybrook AM graduated from Deakin's Institute for Koori Education (now the National Indigenous Knowledges Education Research Innovation Institute) with a Bachelor of Laws in 2000. Two years later she was appointed the Chief Executive of Djirra.

Braybrook has since grown Djirra from a one employee service to more than 100 staff across Victoria. She has also represented the rights of Indigenous Peoples on a global stage.

'Djirras's vision is to establish Victoria's first Aboriginal women's centre. The fire in my belly keeps me going because of Aboriginal women who continue to place their trust and belief in Djirra,' Braybrook said.

'One of the biggest highlights so far was speaking at the United Nations Human Rights Council session in Geneva. I presented four interventions which addressed the high rates of family violence and poverty that our women experience, the high incarceration rates of our people, and the devastating removal rates of our children,' she said.

Royal Flying Doctor Service play therapist, Lesley Harvey, was among Deakin's first ever Master of Child Play Therapy graduates. Since finishing in 2020, she's dedicated her career to the long-term health and happiness of children in outback New South Wales and believes play psychotherapy has enormous potential for the broader community.

'People know me for my passion for children – ensuring that their voices are heard, and their right to play and privacy is respected. As we grow up play changes, but I hope that play can remain and become a part of everyone's life because playing benefits us in so many ways,' Harvey said.

Deakin Vice-Chancellor Professor Iain Martin expressed his pride in presenting the awards, adding that these achievements show the power of inclusive and accessible education.

'Deakin is incredibly proud of the achievements of all our students and our award winners are exemplars of the contributions they make across their communities. These graduates show how education can transform lives when barriers are removed – whether it's location, cultural background, financial, or other reasons. When we remove obstacles, we allow people to achieve great things,' Professor Martin said.

'I'd left school at 15 so walking into this big university was quite overwhelming, but it was made easier because I was at the Institute of Koori Education and there were a lot of other Aboriginal students around,' Braybrook said.

'I've been with the Royal Flying Doctor Service since graduating and am so fortunate because I get to stay at home here in outback New South Wales and positively impact my community and region,' Harvey said.

The Vice-Chancellor's Alumni Awards started in 2011 to acknowledge the outstanding work recipients have shown in their chosen fields, as well as their valuable contributions to the University and wider communities - locally and globally.

2024 Deakin Alumni Awards recipients

• Alumni Excellence Award
  • Antoinette Braybrook AM, CEO of Djirra, 2022 Melburnian of the year, 2023 Member of the Order of Australia appointee and 2020 Victorian Honor Roll of Women inductee.
  • Fiona Campbell, Oceania Audit Partner at EY Australia and Australian Accounting Hall of Fame 2023 inductee for her industry setting auditing expertise.
  • Lesley Harvey, Royal Flying Doctor Service Child Play Therapist and SES volunteer.
  • Sheree Marris, Founder of environmental communications company Visions of Blue, and Award-winning environmental author, science communicator and marine biologist.
  • Dr James Mullins, Chief Technology Officer/Founder of FLAIM Systems and third-generation volunteer fire-fighter.
• Young Alumni Excellence Award
  • Rhydian Cowley, Dual Olympian, Sports Environmental Alliance ambassador and Bush Heritage Australia team member.
  • Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann, Victorian Government Anti-Racism Taskforce member and Ark Centre senior Rabbi.
  • James Murphy, Founder of not-for-profit Southern Ocean Environmental Link and eco-tourism operator.
  • Sandeep Namburu, Magsmen founder and High Court of Andhra Pradesh (India) enrolled advocate.
  • Alexandra Viney, Paralympian and Australian Institute of Sport and Lifeline mental health ambassador.

Find out more about Alumni Award winners and watch their inspiring stories here.