Media releases

From supporting diverse communities, to promoting Gippsland’s prosperity, Federation University Australia’s alumni are being recognised for their distinguished contribution to their chosen fields.

Five leaders in science, engineering, business and economics have this month been honoured in Federation University’s 2023 Alumni Awards.

The awards formally recognise the achievements of distinguished alumni of Federation and its predecessor institutions.

The Gippsland recipients of the Federation University 2023 Alumni Awards are:

• Brooke Tahir - Young Alumna of the Year

Brooke graduated from Federation University with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and is making a difference in the Mornington Peninsula community, establishing the Main Street Greenery and Fairy Kingdom - welcoming social spaces for people living with Autism and ADHD. A Gunai Kurnai woman, Brooke runs children’s gardening and STEM workshops, birthday parties, as well as tutoring for children with all abilities, all while living with her own health conditions.

• Associate Professor Abdel Halabi - Alumni Award for Community Service

Abdel is an Associate Professor in Accounting, working at Federation University and its predecessor institution, Monash University for nearly 33 years, where he has held various leadership positions. Abdel is widely respected for his contribution to the Islamic community including the support of staff and students and sport and community events. In 2013, he became the Founding Secretary of the Gippsland Australian Muslim Community Inc, and in 2018 became the regional voice to the Board of the Islamic Council of Victoria.

• Jane Burton - Distinguished Alumna

Jane holds a master's degree in chemistry and more than three decades of public and private sector experience. In 2019 Jane was the Victorian Winner of the Minerals Council of Australia’s Exceptional Woman in Resources Award and through her leadership roles within the Department of Jobs, Precinct and Regions, Jane worked to identify opportunities for alternate, low emissions uses for brown coal including the Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC) Pilot Project. In June 2023, Jane became the Project Director for the CarbonNet project with Invest Victoria.

• Richard Elkington OAM - Distinguished Alumnus

Richard is recognised for his commitment to the Latrobe Valley community and industry, including as former chair of Regional Development Gippsland. He was General Manager at Loy Yang Power Station and has held leadership roles at Gippsland Water, East Gippsland Water and the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as working with the Latrobe Valley Authority and community organisations like the Mid Gippsland Football League and Baw Baw District Scout Association. Richard has served as Grand Master of Freemasons Victoria since 2020.

• Toni Wakefield - Distinguished Alumna                       
  Toni is the Commercial Manager and co-founder of award-winning business Safetech Pty Ltd, which employs more than 180 staff nationally, the majority based in Moe and Morwell. She was a longstanding Board Director of the Committee for Gippsland and Chair from 2018 – 2020. Toni also served from 2006 - 2009 as a member of the Monash University Gippsland Advisory Council and offers a positive and influential voice to skills educators, industry and government, helping create a thriving and sustainable future for the region.

The award recipients were honoured at an award ceremony in Morwell on 24 October.

Quotes attributable to Federation University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley

“Our alumni are supporting communities to prosper and sharing their rich knowledge with the next generation, whether that be in their own regions or across the state and our nation.”

“We are thrilled to recognise this tremendous work through our annual alumni awards and celebrate the lifelong connection our graduates have to Federation.”