Media releases

Six distinguished graduates from Federation University Australia have been presented with Alumni Awards at the Mt Helen Campus.

The awards recognise a series of outstanding local and international alumni members.

The award recipients are:

• Associate Professor Ann Gervasoni, Alumna of the Year: As part of her PhD Ann developed an early mathematics intervention program used in hundreds of schools across Australia
• Leon Newnham, Alumnus of the Year
• Saeed Al Muharrami, International Alumnus of the Year
• Martin Andanar, Distinguished Alumnus
• Dr Kenneth Ogden, Distinguished Alumnus
• Dick Richards, Posthumous Distinguished Alumnus

“The University is extremely proud of all of our alumni award recipients this year,” Professor Todd Walker, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Engagement), said.

“The success of our alumni is testimony to the hard work and application of many of our students.

“We are delighted that this year’s award recipients have achieved so much in their life and career since they left the university.”

Details of the award recipients are below. 

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR ANN GERVASONI

Ann has made a distinguished contribution to education in teaching, research and community engagement, focusing on early and primary Mathematics Education. 

As part of her PhD, Ann developed an early mathematics intervention program that is used in hundreds of schools across Australia. 

She has partnered with The Smith Family and schools in Ballarat to introduce Maths Clubs for children living in financially disadvantaged communities, and currently partners with a number of principals and mathematics leaders in New South Wales to transform mathematics learning and teaching. 

In partnership with Professor Bob Perry, Ann developed the Let’s Count Program for the Smith Family.

In 2008, Ann led the introduction of the Clemente Program in Ballarat in partnership with seven Ballarat institutions, including FedUni. The Clemente Program enables Australians who are marginalised to engage in tertiary education.

Ann is the author and editor of several books. She was invited to chair the International Commission on Mathematics Instruction 2015 Student on Early Number Learning, and has been visiting scholar at Aarhus University in Copenhagen, Denmark and Bielefeld University in Germany.

LEON NEWNHAM

Leon has distinguished himself in the field of information technology in the ten years since graduating from FedUni.

Whilst an Honours student, Leon’s research project involved the use of podcasting for enhancing student study opportunities. In 2007 he volunteered his time to teach the staff in the school of Nursing how to podcast lecturers in order to enhance study opportunities for nursing students at our Wimmera Campus.

Leon is a great ambassador for FedUni and has given freely of his time during and after his study to assist in events such as mentoring, orientation, marketing events and speaking with prospective students.

He began his professional career with IBM during his studies. He them moved to London, working for Price-Waterhouse Coopers. He returned to Australia to continue working with Price-Waterhouse Coopers in Melbourne. 

In 2010 he took a position with Vista Entertainment Solutions in Los Angeles as Project Manager. In 2016 he was appointed as President. Vista Entertainment solutions is the leading supplier of cinema management software worldwide.

SAEED AL MUHARRAMI  

Saeed achieved a high standard of grades throughout his studies and was a proactive member of the university community.  He was inducted into the Golden Key International Honours Society in 2011.

During his studies at the University, he was an outstanding ambassador through his leadership as President of the Ballarat Arab Student Society and the United Arab Emirates as Student Ambassador. 

At the time of his enrolment in 2007, there were no other United Arab Emirates students at the University, and he took the initiative to encourage more students to study at our University.

Saeed was also involved through his personal networking, in attracting and encouraging more Saudi students to move to Ballarat and study at our University.

In 2009 and 2010, he worked with the Kuwait government to help facilitate students moving to Ballarat after completing their English programs.

Saeed was one of three finalists in The Minister of Interior’s Excellence Award in 2017 in the United Arab Emirates. 

The award is presented to overseas students working and serving university communities during their academic programs.

Saeed now works for the United Arab Emirates Government in Washington DC.

MARTIN ANDANAR   

Martin often credits the University as laying the foundations for his successful career and providing the hands on learning opportunities that gave him the skills to land his first media role and break into the industry.

He is a former Filipino TV media executive, news anchor, radio commentator, podcaster, audio blogger and voice-over artist on national broadcasting network TV5.  He has organised and partnered with community and civil organisations advocating volunteerism and good governance, all the while incorporating his innovative ideas in media and politics.

During his impressive media career, he was recognised with many awards, including the TV Broadcaster of the Year award in 2015.

In 2016, Martin became Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office of the Philippines, where he supervises government news and information agencies, television and radio stations, and acts as a presidential spokesperson in press conferences.

DR KENNETH OGDEN                                                   

Ken is a distinguished member of the civil engineering community and has made a substantial contribution his profession both here and overseas.  He was a member of the Council of the Ballarat University College from 1989 to 1994.

He has a long and distinguished career in academia, consulting and advocacy.  Ken played a significant part in Australian transport policy, research and education over five decades. 

Ken’s interest in transport policy was accelerated by his development of graduate courses at Monash University. He had a lead role in the preparation of the government’s Transport Policy ‘Transporting Melbourne’ in 1995.

He then took up the position of General Manager of Public Policy with the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria. He also prepared a pioneering publication entitled ‘Driving the Issues’ in 1998, which presented RACV’s advocacy position on behalf of its members.

Ken now runs his own consultancy specialising in transport policy and road safety.

R W (DICK) RICHARDS

Dick Richards was an Australian science teacher who joined the Ballarat School of Mines in 1914, and soon afterwards was granted leave to join an expedition to Antarctica. 

In 1915 he sailed from Australia with the Antarctic Exploration Expedition, led by Sir Ernest Shackleton.

He spent three freezing years in Antarctica, travelling south with Sir Ernest Shackleton. Temperatures were as low as minus 68F. 

After rescue in January 1917, and his return to Australia, Dick resumed his work at SMB as Lecturer in Physics and Mathematics, and developed many pieces of experimental equipment. 

During World War II he acted as a scientific adviser in the production of optical apparatus in Australia.  He was awarded the Albert Medal in 1923 for his efforts on the ice to save the lives of two fellow explorers.  This award was converted in 1971 to the George Cross.

In 1946 he was appointed Principal and twelve years later he retired after a total of 44 years service.

After returning to Australia, Dick was honoured through the naming of a Ballarat School of Mines prize – the R W Richards Medal.  It has been awarded annually since 1959 to a Bachelor of Applied Science graduate considered to have achieved the most outstanding academic performance of their course. 

He outlived all other members of the expedition, and became the last survivor of the ‘Heroic Age’ of Antarctic exploration, dying at the age of 91 in 1985.

Picture: Leon Newnham; Martin Andanar; Ann Gervasoni; Patricia Lathlean, daughter of Dick Richards; Saeed Al Mulharrami; Kenneth Ogden