Victoria University congratulates 2019 Alumni Award winners
Victoria University congratulates the outstanding achievements of VU alumni recognised in its 2019 Alumni Awards on 3 October.
The annual Alumni Awards acknowledge exceptional accomplishments from alumni across a range of fields, this year including graduates from the fields of engineering, science, public service, community development, and sport.
Victoria University 2019 Alumni Award recipients
Lifetime Achievement Alumni Award
The VU Lifetime Achievement Alumni Award is for outstanding contributions to profession or community.
Dr Collette Burke, VU
Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)
Dr Collette Burke is the state of Victoria's Chief Engineer, managing director at Exner Group, VicTrack director, and former national director of the National Association of Women in Construction. With more than 25 years in the engineering and construction industry, Dr Burke is also an internationally acknowledged researcher, with a PhD in risk management and value for money on major infrastructure projects.
In her current roles, Dr Burke provides expert advice to government on the design and engineering of major projects, including Melbourne's Metro Tunnel. She is also helping establish a government registration system for engineers to ensure the industry is properly regulated.
Professional Achievement Alumni Award
The Professional Achievement Alumni Award is for contributions to profession and inspiring others.
Dr Hanatsu Nagano
Bachelor of Exercise Science & Human Movement, Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours), Doctor of Philosophy
Dr Nagano is a biomechanics expert and the inventor of a shoe insole that prevents falls among the elderly. He was inspired to create the insoles as part of his PhD after two of his grandparents in Japan suffered debilitating falls.
The ergonomic design of the insole was patented and named ISEAL Insoles, acknowledging the role of VU’s Institute of Sport, Exercise & Active Living (ISEAL), now the Institute for Health & Sport (IHES) in his invention's research and design. Sales commenced in May 2018 with some 100,000 pairs of insole-integrated footwear now sold to customers worldwide.
Dr Nagano received an international Global award in 2017 and 2018 for Most Innovative New Care Product, the first person in the organisation’s 20-year history to receive this award two years in a row. Dr Nagano donates part of the profits from his insoles to Peace Boat, a global non-governmental organisation headquartered in Japan.
Meritorious Service Alumni Award
The Meritorious Service Alumni Award is for voluntary contributions to VU or broader community
Councillor Kim McAliney
Ms McAliney is a Wyndham City Councillor first elected in 2005. She is also deputy chair of the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, director of Think Pink Foundation, and a member of the Victorian Veterans Council.
Cr McAliney served as Wyndham Mayor in 2007–8 and 2011–12, and Deputy Mayor in 2009–10 and 2016–17.
She currently holds the Wyndham City Council’s Safer Communities portfolio, which covers perceptions of safety, justice, family violence, gender equity and emergency management.
Cr McAliney has worked at accountancy firms, in the aged care and retirement sector, at a multi-national company and at a national crisis counselling service. She has held numerous board directorships including Salvation Army Melbourne Central Division, State Social Command Victoria, and City West Water.
Rising Star Alumni Award
The Rising Star Alumni Award is for early career and/or community service achievements
Mr Ayden Shaw
Bachelor of Exercise Science & Human Movement/Bachelor of Psychological Studies
Mr Shaw is Sport & Recreation Manager for Disability Sport and Recreation and manages the sport of Wheelchair AFL, establishing the first ever Robert Rose Foundation Victorian Wheelchair Football League.
He was always inspired by the diversity and connectedness of Melbourne’s west, and the power of sport to create and strengthen community and individuals.
Soon after graduating from VU, Mr Shaw began contributing to a variety of sports and community-building projects including the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation, and Relay for Life as community engagement coordinator. He is currently co-chair of Connectwest, a network aimed at connecting community groups, leaders and volunteers in Melbourne’s west.
Dr Ryan Storr
Dr Storr is a lecturer and academic course adviser in sport development at Western Sydney University, with a research focus on diversity and inclusion in community sport, in particular LGBTI+ inclusion. He is co-founder and director of Proud2Play, a LGBTI+ sport charity in Australia.
He was awarded an international PhD scholarship attached to an ARC Linkage project entitled Participation vs Performance: Exploring how community sports clubs respond to diversity, exploring how volunteers in community sports clubs engage with diversity work.
Prior to moving to Australia, Dr Storr taught sport development at Northumbria University in the UK. His current research includes an exploration of LGBTI+ supporter groups, and engaging LGBTI+ young people in sport and exercise.
Spirit of Victoria University Alumni Award
The Spirit of Victoria University Alumni Award is awarded to finalists who were unsuccessful in their category but who still impressed the judges.
Mr Mark Riley
Graduate Diploma in Marketing, Graduate Diploma in Public Sector Management, Master of Business (Marketing)
Mr Riley’s career in Australia’s energy industry spans more than 30 years. His roles have included engineering, operations, energy market design and regulation, as well as work on the Victorian wholesale gas market and the national gas short-term trading market.
He has been active in community groups all his life, starting with the Queenscliff Parish Council, and Apex Clubs. His volunteer work includes Williamstown Little Theatre, Royal Melbourne Philharmonic, Melbourne Singers of Gospel, and Melbourne’s international arts, jazz, and film festivals.
Mr Riley has chaired VU’s Alumni Events Committee and Alumni Advisory Group, and supports the VU Mentoring program.
