Alumni GradLife eNewsletter, Autumn 2013
UWS graduates are now given a warm welcome into the University’s alumni association on graduation day by a member of the Alumni Unit team.
Alumni Profile: Lillian Adnan, Bachelor of Commerce 1998
Working in the not-for-profit sector, Lillian is the Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Partnerships Coordinator and Australian representative.
Storage King are now offering UWS Alumni 10% off storage rates and 20% off boxes and packaging materials at select locations across the GWS area.
Indigenous doctors, coming to a hospital near you
The recent UWS Summer 2012 Graduation ceremonies saw four high-achieving Indigenous medical students make the transition to university graduate, hospital intern and junior doctor.
Starting the next chapter
University of Western Sydney graduates are now given a warm welcome into the University’s alumni association on graduation day by a member of the Alumni Unit team.
The new initiative was introduced in April 2012 as part of the official graduation process, which sees every new graduate receive a GradLife alumni membership card.
Alumni Coordinator Rosemary Sargeant says they chose to have a physical presence at this event, as the last opportunity for official student business before graduates head out into the world, to broaden student engagement after graduation. Alumni Unit staff work together with current students from the UWS Contact Service Centre (CSC) to welcome our newest UWS Alumni as they begin their next chapter with UWS.
“A lot of the students aren’t hearing the word alumni or don’t know what the word it means until graduation, so we just wanted to be up there in person to welcome them to the alumni association, give them their card and answer any questions,” she says.
“Just because they’re finished being a student doesn’t mean that they’re finished with the university – they’re life-long alumni and we hope to maintain a close relationship with them.”
Every UWS alumnus is eligible to become a free member and will receive a new-look GradLife card, providing many benefits including discounts and the opportunity to network, attend events, volunteer and engage with the university post-graduation.
Not already a member of GradLife? Join online now(opens in a new window).
Alumni Profile: Lillian Adnan
Bachelor of Commerce 1998, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Partnerships Coordinator
When the Global Financial Crisis struck in 2009, UWS Bachelor of Commerce graduate Lillian Adnan found herself faced with redundancy – on her birthday. Rather than seeing this as a setback, she used the downturn as a new starting point. Encouraged by her husband to seek a more fulfilling career, Lillian made her way out of the corporate world in favour of a not-for-profit.
She has now been the Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Partnerships Coordinator and Australian representative for four years, and says finding this job was the “best thing that has ever happened” to her.
Leading the charity’s corporate fundraising, Lillian’s role sees her dabbling in photography, writing and PR, as well as representing the organisation at networking events and in corporate circles – all in the name of securing much-needed funding. It costs $30,000 to train one puppy.
“One day I could be running around in jeans, playing with little puppies, doing a photo shoot and getting licked all over my face, then I could be suited up, jumping on a plane to Melbourne to pitch a partnership for Guide Dogs Australia to a board of directors,” she laughs.
With the competition for funding reaching fever pitch as more and more charities are established, Lillian says organisations like Guide Dogs are now taking more of a professional, corporate approach to securing money.
“You used to be able to knock on a door and say ‘We need a donation’, but it’s not like that anymore – it’s professional, it’s measurable, it’s tangible,” she says. “They want a return on investment, so it’s really serious. You have got to build relationships and rapport.”
What really appeals to Lillian about working in the not-for-profit sector are the people.
“In not-for-profit, people have consciously made a decision to be of service. Even though the job can be challenging and you work a lot harder for a lot less, it’s like a family,” she says.
Working with Guide Dogs puts Lillian in touch with inspiring individuals and animals every single day – a fact she says makes her realise how lucky she is. Guide Dog graduation ceremonies are a highlight, where the furry graduates run an obstacle course and are applauded for their achievements. Just as amazing are the above-and-beyond efforts of her clients and their fundraising activities.
“When you see little kids that have a birthday party or a special occasion and they choose not to have presents, and instead have their friends and family give money to donate to Guide Dogs. You get a hand-drawn card with $300 and it just makes your day – you think, you are five years old, you are amazing.”
When she’s not working with Guide Dogs, Lillian can be found on the weekends cooking at her husband’s new café in Darlinghurst and helping lesser-known charities get ahead with her consultancy, Life’s a Pitch.
Looking to the future, Lillian hopes to continue to spread the word giving to those in need.
“We’re more aware now that others are going through difficult times, because so many things are happening around the world. I won’t stop trying to get people to really understand how important and how awesome it feels to be a giver.”
Storage King Discounts
If you have storage problems, Storage King has the solutions!
Storage King are now offering UWS Alumni 10% off storage rates and 20% off boxes and packaging materials at select locations across the Greater Western Sydney area.
To find out more about this GradLife offer and to locate a participating Storage King near you, visit the Storage King Benefit webpage(opens in a new window)
Indigenous doctors, coming to a hospital near you
The University of Western Sydney’s recent Summer Graduation ceremonies(opens in a new window) saw four high-achieving Indigenous medical students make the transition to university graduate, hospital intern and junior doctor.
Anysia Den, Angus McNally, Rachel Farrelly and Paul Saunders have all completed the University’s intensive five-year Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) (opens in a new window) program.
The Honourable Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for Health, delivered the Occasional Address at the December 20 graduation ceremony and took the opportunity to congratulate the doctors on their achievements.
To continue reading this story, visit the UWS News Centre(opens in a new window)
