Tony Meyer of Golf Australia and Larelle McMillan of CSIRO, Australia’s peak scientific research body, will receive the awards at a University of the Sunshine Coast presentation at 5pm today.

Also receiving top awards are Regional Achiever Emma Williams, a Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) paramedic, and Rising Star Michael Andrews, CEO of St John Ambulance Solomon Islands.

Tony Meyer, who is based in Brisbane as high performance director at Golf Australia, has worked at the highest level of the sport as both coach and sport scientist for more than a decade.

He has helped develop some of Australia’s global golf stars including Cameron Smith, Minjee Lee and Hannah Green, and co-led the Australian team at the Paris Olympic Games.

He said studying Sport and Exercise Science as well as Secondary Education was the result of a “career-defining discussion” with a program adviser about his experience and career stability.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today professionally without the skills and knowledge I picked up during my time studying at UniSC,” Tony said.

He said one of the biggest benefits was quickly learning how to identify and critically analyse the important elements of a complex system such as high performance sport.

“I love seeing young athletes live out their dreams and play major championships for the first time.

“Cam Smith winning the 150th Open Championships at St Andrews in Scotland in 2022 was incredible and probably my biggest highlight so far.”

Encouraging more sustainable food production

Larelle McMillan, who enrolled in UniSC’s first environmental science degree in 1999 as a career change from visual arts, is now research director in CSIRO’s agriculture and food unit in Brisbane.

She leads a team of researchers focused on sustainable, climate resilient, agri-food systems in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region.

“The wellbeing of future communities is fundamentally linked with producing nutritious food sustainably while supporting the stewardship of agricultural land, and I am passionate about partnering to deliver impactful research,” Larelle said.

She has worked across landscapes and value chains on measuring soil health and greenhouse gas emissions, studying the role of people and place in food system change, and developing the tools and frameworks to improve nutrition, equity and security and reduce food waste.

“Studying at the University of the Sunshine Coast set me on a great path towards systems research for sustainability. I became interested in the role of evidence, community values and science policy, and started the first environment club on campus with peers who became lifelong friends.

“It’s wonderful to receive this award, reconnect and share career highlights such as working with a non-government organisation and Traditional Owners across tropical ecosystems in northern Australia. Collaborating on food security partnerships in Africa for six years was also amazing.”

Responding to emergency health needs

2018 Paramedicine graduate Emma Williams will be cited for regional achievements in healthcare and extraordinary volunteer fundraising efforts.

Emma was part of a team that created the QAS Cultural Safety Unit and Governance Framework to improve employment and education pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Her fundraising included: walking from Alice Springs to Broome ($3500 for The Purple House); cycling solo from Alice Springs to Alexandra Headland ($6500 for QAS Legacy); and walking with The Blak Trekkers team to Everest Base Camp ($65,000 for the Black Dog Institute):

She has been an advanced care paramedic and Indigenous liaison officer with the QAS based on the Sunshine Coast for almost a decade and is proactive in community events, stakeholder engagement and within the QAS to role model leadership and cultural safety and improve health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples.

“My passion is finding innovative ways to improve health, education and employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” she said.

Former Caloundra surf life saver and 2019 Paramedicine graduate Michael Andrews, who has flown from Solomon Islands for the presentation, is now also studying a Master’s in Global Healthcare Leadership at the University of Oxford while working in his executive role.

The rising star oversees the nation’s public emergency ambulance service, driving transformative reforms that have expanded services to other islands, reduced emergency response times, and improved patient outcomes across the country.

“I believe that where someone is born or chooses to live – whether in the busiest cities or the remotest villages – shouldn’t dictate their health. I’m working to ensure everyone can access healthcare, regardless of location or circumstance,” he said.

Michael currently also works as an advanced care paramedic with the QAS on the Sunshine Coast, is a non-executive director of a Queensland charity, has founded a company to donate medical supplies overseas, and was Young Volunteer of the Year Queensland.

Find out more about the UniSC Outstanding Alumni Awards.