Grads making a difference honoured at 2026 QUT Outstanding Alumni Awards

First published 30 October 2026

From improving Indigenous health outcomes and advancing space exploration to transforming women's football, championing inclusion and creating globally acclaimed works of art, 12 exceptional QUT graduates have been recognised at the 2026 QUT Outstanding Alumni Awards.

The awards celebrate alumni whose achievements are making a lasting impact locally, nationally and internationally across business, health, science, technology, the arts, sport and community service.

QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil said this year's recipients reflected the breadth of talent, innovation and leadership found across the university's alumni community.

"For 35 years, the Outstanding Alumni Awards have celebrated graduates whose achievements have made a lasting impact in their professions, communities and society," Professor Sheil said.

"The recipients recognised this year exemplify the highest standards of leadership, innovation and service, and their accomplishments reflect the remarkable contribution QUT alumni continue to make locally, nationally and internationally.

"Their success demonstrates the transformative power of education and reinforces QUT's commitment as the university for the real world to empowering students and graduates to create meaningful change.”

The 2026 QUT Outstanding Alumni Awards were presented at a gala event in Brisbane last night at the university’s Gardens Point campus.

Outstanding Alumnus: Dr Ali Drummond, CEO, Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives

Dr Ali Drummond is a Meriam and Erubam man of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) and a Wuthathi man from Far North Queensland. An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leader, academic and registered nurse, he leads national efforts to strengthen the Indigenous nursing and midwifery workforce and improve health outcomes for First Nations communities.

With more than 20 years' experience across clinical practice, policy, research, education and leadership, Dr Drummond has held senior roles across Queensland Health, academia and the community-controlled health sector. He is Chief Executive Officer of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives.

Outstanding Alumnus: Dr Robert Backhouse, Principal, Chair and Head of Design, Hassell

Award-winning interior designer Dr Robert Backhouse has built an international reputation for innovation and design excellence during a 26-year career with global design practice Hassell.

As Principal, Chair and Head of Design, Dr Backhouse has led award-winning projects across workplace, residential and aviation sectors throughout Australia and Asia. He is a Fellow of the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers and the Design Institute of Australia, received the IDEA Gold Medal in 2017 and was inducted into the Design Institute of Australia Hall of Fame in 2022.

Outstanding Alumnus: Ravin Mirchandani, Executive Chairman, Ador Powertron Limited

Business leader and entrepreneur Ravin Mirchandani has been recognised for his leadership across technology, manufacturing, clean energy and road safety industries.

As Executive Chairman of Ador Powertron Limited and Chairman of Acusensus Limited, he has helped drive the development and global deployment of technologies supporting carbon-free mobility and AI-enabled road safety solutions. The QUT MBA graduate is also a passionate advocate for strengthening trade and business connections between Queensland and India.

Outstanding Alumnus: Dr Sarah Wittig, Photonics Components Engineer, European Space Agency

Dr Sarah Wittig has established an international career at the forefront of space research and technology.

As a Photonics Components Engineer at the European Space Agency's European Space Research and Technology Centre, she develops advanced laser and photonics systems for major international missions, including the Carbon Dioxide Monitoring Constellation and Laser Interferometer Space Antenna projects.

A Fulbright Scholar, Dr Wittig has undertaken research roles with institutions including CERN, the University of Maryland and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, while also championing STEM education and careers.

Outstanding Alumnus: Dr Suzie Miller, playwright, screenwriter and novelist

Internationally acclaimed playwright, screenwriter and novelist Dr Suzie Miller has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to contemporary storytelling and the arts.

Best known for the global success of Prima Facie, Dr Miller's work explores justice, power and social change. The former criminal defence lawyer has written more than 20 plays, with productions staged across the world.

Her body of work includes RGB: Of Many, One, The Mathematics of Longing, Inter Alia and Strong is the New Pretty which premiered at this year's Brisbane Festival. Her work has earned widespread critical acclaim and major theatre awards in Australia, London and New York.

Outstanding Young Alumnus: Amy Gomes, critical care paramedic and founder, One Little Heart

Critical care paramedic, author and community advocate Amy Gomes has dedicated her career to improving health outcomes both in emergency care and through charitable initiatives.

Ms Gomes founded One Little Heart in 2014 to support a range of community causes, including improving access to automated external defibrillators in regional and rural communities.

She is also the author of What Paramedics Do and co-author of What Little Heroes Do, helping young Australians better understand emergency services and lifesaving first-aid skills.

Outstanding Indigenous Australian Alumnus: Dr Alethea Beetson, writer, director, producer and creative leader

Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi and Wiradjuri creative leader Dr Alethea Beetson has been recognised for her contribution to Indigenous storytelling through theatre, film, music and digital media.

The founder of Digi Youth Arts and Blak Social, Dr Beetson has developed innovative First Nations-led creative works exploring culture, identity and future thinking.

Her production Meet Your Maker received the 2023 Matilda Award for Best Video Design, while her role as Spotify's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program Lead has supported the growth and visibility of First Nations musicians.

Outstanding Entrepreneurial Alumnus: Pete Horsley, founder, Remarkable

Pete Horsley has become a leading advocate for inclusive innovation and accessible technology.

As founder of Remarkable, the disability and assistive technology accelerator established by Cerebral Palsy Alliance, he has supported entrepreneurs developing products and services that improve the lives of people with disability.

Mr Horsley is also co-founder of the Inclusive Innovation Network, a global community focused on advancing innovation in disability, ageing and mental health.

Outstanding Sports Alumnus: Melissa Andreatta, Head Coach, Scotland Women's National Football Team

Melissa Andreatta has built an impressive coaching career at the highest levels of women's football.

A former Brisbane Roar premiership-winning coach and A-League Women Coach of the Year, Ms Andreatta played a key role in the Matildas' international success during her tenure as Lead Assistant Coach.

She now leads the Scotland Women's National Football Team and continues to be recognised as one of Australia's most influential football coaches.

Outstanding Sports Alumnus: Dean Boxall, Head Coach, St Peters Western Swimming Club

Dean Boxall is one of Australia's most successful swimming coaches, guiding athletes to Olympic, World Championship and Commonwealth Games success.

His coaching achievements include mentoring some of Australia's best-known swimmers, including Ariarne Titmus, Mollie O'Callaghan and Elijah Winnington.

A three-time Swimming Australia Coach of the Year, Mr Boxall was named Australian Institute of Sport Coach of the Year in 2024 and elevated to Master Coach status in 2025 at the SWIM Coaches and Teachers Australia Awards.

Outstanding Community Impact Alumnus: Carolyn Robinson, Founder and Managing Director, Beyond DV

Carolyn Robinson has been recognised for her tireless commitment to supporting women and children recovering from domestic and family violence.

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in education, she founded Beyond DV in 2018 to provide trauma-informed programs focused on long-term recovery, wellbeing and independence.

Her initiatives include the Love&Learn and Ask a Mate apps, and Australia's first HOPE Hub for domestic violence recovery. In 2026 she was named Queensland’s Volunteer of the Year.

Outstanding Community Impact Alumnus: Tim Oberg, founder, Parkrun Australia

Tim Oberg has transformed community participation in physical activity through his leadership of Parkrun Australia.

After launching Parkrun Australia in 2011, he grew the movement to more than one million participants across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Mr Oberg later founded the Healthy Kids Project, which delivers programs promoting physical activity, healthy eating and positive mental wellbeing among young Australians. He also serves on the Australian Sports Commission's Play Well Strategy Leadership Group and the Little Athletics Queensland Board.

Main photo: Left Strip from top: Melissa Andreatta, Dr Suzie Miller. Centre photo from left: Pete Horsley, Carolyn Robinson, Ravin Mirchandani, Amy Gomes, Tim Oberg, Dr Alethea Beetson, Dr Robert Backhouse, Dr Ali Drummond. Right strip from top: Dean Boxall, Dr Sarah Wittig.

Media contact: QUT Media, media@qut.edu.au