Outstanding Alumnus of the Year 

Tony Meyer
GradDipEd(Secondary) 2017, BSp&ExSc 2014

Tony Meyer is a visionary leader in Australian golf with a focus on high-performance development and leadership. As Golf Australia’s National Coach, Tony played a critical role in developing world-class players like Minjee Lee, Cam Smith, and Hannah Green, all of whom achieved major championship wins. In his current role as High Performance Director, Tony co-led the Australian Olympic Golf Team with Karrie Webb at the Paris Olympics. He was instrumental in developing the national Cam Smith Scholarship which provides young golfers with opportunities to learn from top professionals. Tony is also a volunteer mentor with the Australian Institute of Sport coach mentor program, currently mentoring the head coach for diving at the Victorian Institute of Sport.

Outstanding Alumnus of the Year 

Larelle McMillan
BSc(EnvSc) 2003

Larelle McMillan was one of UniSC’s first graduates in environmental science and co-established UniSC’s first environment ‘club’. Her passion for science and how it can contribute to evidence-based policy development has continued throughout her career. Larelle has worked with Qld Government, NGOs, the private sector, run her own consultancy, pursued post-graduate study and now leads a team of 110 researchers as Research Director of CSIRO’s Sustainability program in Agriculture and Food. She has catalysed and designed over $20 million worth of research opportunities for the nation, building investment with partners focused on agri-food system sustainability, both nationally and in developing nations. Prior to her current role, Larelle co-managed the Africa Food Security Initiative, a $40 million program over 6 years to improve food and nutrition security and policy influence, supporting deep capacity in African science and innovation leadership.

Regional Achievement Award

Emma Williams
BParamedicSc 2018

Emma Williams is a proud Aboriginal woman of Wakka Wakka descent and an advanced care paramedic with the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) on the Sunshine Coast. Working in senior advisory roles within the QAS Cultural Safety Unit, as Co-Chair of the QAS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership Committee and Indigenous Liaison Officer for the Sunshine Coast, Emma drives CPR awareness, liaises with stakeholders on health equity and works with the community to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Emma mentors UniSC's Indigenous students and has played an integral role in growing the number of QAS Indigenous Paramedic Program (IPP) cadet positions in her region. Emma has also worked tirelessly raising funds for: Purple House by walking 1,700km unsupported from Alice Springs to Broome; the Black Dog Institute by successfully walking to Everest Base Camp with the Blak Trekkers team; and QAS Legacy by cycling 2,500km solo from Alice Springs to the Sunshine Coast. In 2023, Emma was a finalist of the QBANK Everyday Heroes Awards, celebrating the achievements of workers within Queensland police, fire, health, ambulance, corrections, justice, public service, education and volunteers.

Rising Star Award

Michael Andrews
BParamedicSc 2019

Michael Andrews currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of St John Ambulance Solomon Islands, overseeing the delivery of ambulance services on behalf of the government. Michael played a pivotal role in introducing new models of care, including the integration of domestic and family violence practitioners, mental health clinicians, diabetes educators and specialised teams for falls prevention and nurse-initiated triage. Recently, he secured substantial support from the Australian Government to develop a national ambulance service that will connect 900 islands by phone, land, and sea—increasing Universal Health Coverage. As a Director of St John Ambulance Queensland, Michael was a key figure in introducing a mobile eye health service that travels to remote communities across Queensland. Michael is also currently studying a Master of Science in global healthcare leadership at Oxford University while working in his executive role. When home, he continues to work as a paramedic with Queensland Ambulance Service on the Sunshine Coast.