The Outstanding Alumni Awards (OAA) recognise graduates of QUT and its predecessor institutions for exceptional professional and personal achievements and contributions locally, nationally, and internationally.
Established in 1991 the awards showcase and celebrate the diverse achievements, leadership, and impact of alumni who are leaders and influencers in their professions and communities.
Award recipients are recognised at QUT's annual Outstanding Alumni Awards ceremony, and their inspirational stories are shared widely with the alumni and broader community.
Know an exceptional QUT Alumnus? Contact the Alumni Office to recommend them for future consideration.
2021 award winners

Outstanding Alumnus
James Burnett
2003 Master of Education (Mathematics Education)
1993 Graduate Diploma in Education (Curriculum- Mathematics)
1989 Diploma of Teaching Primary
James Burnett is passionate about education and strives to make mathematics meaningful, enjoyable and accessible for all primary students and their teachers. James co-founded ORIGO Education in Australia to support primary mathematics education to develop quality, research-based classroom resources and provide professional learning for teachers. He wrote and developed Australia’s first core maths program, which was adopted by more than 60% of the Queensland market.

Outstanding Alumnus
Elena Gosse
2004 Bachelor of Business (Accountancy)
Elena Gosse, CEO and co-owner of AIS Water, has overcome significant life challenges to emerge as a leader and successful businesswoman. Elena’s reputation as a disruptor extends beyond her professional life. From her early years as a Russian immigrant to her passion for public speaking and being an advocate against domestic violence, she believes in championing the changes she wants to see in the world by leading the discussion.

Outstanding Alumnus
Dennis Walsh
1992 Master of Engineering Science (Civil Engineering)
1987 Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)
Dennis Walsh has over 30 years of experience in strategic transport management, civil engineering, traffic and transport planning, road safety, road design and operations and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). His traffic, speed management and ITS leadership has helped make Queensland a national leader in road safety engineering and road operations best practices, consequently reducing road trauma and lowering fatalities.

Bronwen Knox (Outstanding Sports Alumnus)
2020 Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
2019 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)
2014 Graduate Diploma in Public Health
A four-time Olympian, Bronwen Knox has represented Australia in more than 384 games in one decade, classifying her as the highest capped female water polo athlete. In addition to her sporting career, Bronwen is a legal practitioner and works with Sport Integrity Australia as an education presenter, promoting athletes' rights and responsibilities and reinforcing key messages around clean, fair sport.

Daniel Browning (Outstanding Indigenous Alumnus)
1994 Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts)
Daniel Browning is an Aboriginal journalist, radio broadcaster,
documentary maker, sound artist, writer and currently the ABC’s Editor of Indigenous Radio. A former news director at youth broadcaster Triple J, Daniel joined the ABC in 1994 fresh out of his QUT degree. He presents The Art Show on Radio National, and produces Awaye!, which surveys contemporary Indigenous cultural practice across the arts spectrum. Daniel is a descendant of the Bundjalung and Kullilli peoples of far northern New South Wales and south-western Queensland.

Susannah George (Outstanding Entrepreneurial Alumnus)
2004 Bachelor of Mass Communication (Public Relations and Creative Writing)
Susannah George is an award-winning entrepreneur and marketer. She is the founder and CEO of Australia and New Zealand’s largest independent media company, Urban List, an online recommendation source and curated guide to optimise your life. A fifth-generation entrepreneur, Susannah founded Urban List from her bedroom in 2011, landing on a concept that has since become one of the fastest-growing media companies in the country.

Luke Mountford (Outstanding Service Alumnus)
2003 Bachelor of Laws
QUT Medallist and Law alumnus Luke Mountford has been a passionate volunteer and donor to QUT for more than 15 years. His involvement began three years after graduation at the age of 26, when he donated to the QUT Faculty of Law Founders’ Scholarship. In 2006, Luke became a member of the Law Founders’ Scholarship Committee, supporting the work of the volunteer team and Faculty of Law to promote the scholarship and secure backing from other alumni and the legal community more widely.

Ellen van Neerven (Outstanding Young Alumnus)
2011 Graduate Certificate in Creative Industries
(Creative Writing)
2010 Bachelor of Fine Arts (Creative Writing Production)
Ellen van Neerven is an Aboriginal Australian author, educator and editor. Internationally recognised as one of Indigenous Australia’s leading literary voices, Ellen has undertaken national and international residencies which facilitate cultural exchange and community enrichment. They are of Mununjali (Yugambeh language group) and Dutch heritage. Ellen has aided and empowered others through their role in developing Indigenous authors with an Indigenous writing and editing project.

Karina & Samantha Seljak (Outstanding Young Alumni)
2011 Bachelor of Business (Advertising)/ Bachelor of Creative Industries (Fashion) - Karina
2011 Bachelor of Business (Economics)/ Bachelor of Journalism - Samantha
As company co-founders, sisters Samantha and Karina Seljak have built Seljak Brand into a global brand in just five short years, participating in systems innovation, and advocating for climate action and a circular economy. Sam and Karina’s unwavering curiosity allows them to continue innovating, working towards achieving their mission of creating beautiful things that are regenerative and sustainable by design.
Past winners
Outstanding Alumni Awards Winners 2020
Outstanding Alumni Awards Winners 2019
Outstanding Alumni Awards Winners 2018
Outstanding Alumni Awards Winners 2017
- QUT Alumnus of the Year and Faculty of Law Outstanding Alumni Award
- Darryl McDonough
- QUT Young Alumnus of the Year
- Kate Gifford
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship Outstanding Alumni Award winner
- Joel Pobar
- Young Innovation and Entrepreneurship Outstanding Alumni Award winner
- Michael Brett
- Special Excellence Award for Achievements and Contributions to Indigenous Communities
- Wayne Denning
- QUT Business School Outstanding Alumni Award winner
- Christine Corbett
- Creative Industries Faculty Outstanding Alumni Award winner
- Peter Greste
- Faculty of Education Outstanding Alumni Award winner
- Hon. Leeanne Enoch, MP
- Faculty of Health Outstanding Alumni Award winner
- Tina Coco AO
- Science and Engineering Faculty Outstanding Alumni Award winner
- Michael Dempsey
Outstanding Alumni Awards Winners 2016
- QUT Alumnus of the Year and Creative Industries Outstanding Alumni Award
- Kate Miller-Heidke
- QUT Young Alumnus of the Year
- Jessa Rogers
- QUT Business School Outstanding Alumni Award winner
- Caitlin Wilson
- Faculty of Education Outstanding Alumni Award winner
- Maryanne Walsh
- Special Excellence Award for Achievement in Podiatry and Faculty of Health Outstanding Alumni Award winner
- Greg Dower
- Faculty of Law Outstanding Alumni Award winner
- Roman Quaedvlieg
- Science and Engineering Faculty Outstanding Alumni Award winner
- Richard Eastes
- QUT Business School Special Excellence Award for Service to the Community
- Paul Quilliam
- Special Excellence Award for Contributions to the Nutrition Profession
- Lim Su Lin
Outstanding Alumni Awards Winners 2015
- QUT Alumnus of the Year and Science and Engineering Faculty Outstanding Alumni Award
- Dr Abigail Allwood
- QUT Young Alumnus of the Year
- Andrew Blackman
- Andrew Northcott
- Special Excellence Award for achievement in education and Faculty of Education Outstanding Alumni Award
- Carmee Lim
- Special Excellence Award for innovation in youth support and education
- Andrew Gourley
- QUT Business School Outstanding Alumni Award
- Carolyn Dawkins
- Creative Industries Faculty Outstanding Alumni Award
- Leigh Sales
- Faculty of Health Outstanding Alumni Award
- Karni Liddell
- Faculty of Law Outstanding Alumni
- Dominic McGann