From law and international filmmaking to First Peoples education and fire and emergency services, the 2018 Alumni Finalist Awards showcase the rich diversity of Griffith’s Arts, Education and Law graduates.
Outstanding Young Alumnus AwardFinalist
Dean Clifford-Jonesis the Principal Lawyer at the office of the Director of Child Protection Litigation. A Bachelor of Laws withHonoursand Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Government graduate, Dean was the first person in his family to attend university. He became a judge’s associate just a year after graduating and has achieved remarkable success in the legal profession as a Crown Prosecutor and later as a senior child protection lawyer.
As an active community volunteer, Dean founded Australia’s first LGBTIQ+ legal networking association Pride in Law to bring together the LGBTIQ+ legal profession across multiple disciplines.
Outstanding International Alumnus AwardFinalist
PetrTichýis the CEO and chairman of the board ofBarrandovStudios in Prague, one of the biggest and oldest film studios in Europe. The Bachelor of Digital Media Production and Master of Arts in Film and Television Studiesalumnsstarted out as a television journalist, then as a video and multi-media specialist at Microsoft.
Petr and his team atBarranovStudioshasre-established film and TV incentives in the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic is rebuilding its reputation as a prime destination for Hollywood and other international film and TV productions.
Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus AwardFinalist
Bachelor of Arts withHonoursalumnusDonishaDuffis Deputy Chairperson of the Stars Foundation, a not-for-profitorganisationproviding school-based engagement programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and women across 12 schools.Donishahas worked tirelessly to improve pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as an advocate for health and as a supporter of girls and women’s educational and career opportunities. She has held senior roles in government, not-for-profits and as advisor to the Minister for Indigenous Health. She is general manager of the Deadly Choices preventative health brand for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Outstanding Alumnus AwardFinalist
As a trailblazing role model for women in the male-dominated police and fire services,Katarina Carroll APMbecame Australia’s first female fire commissioner in 2015.
As Commissioner of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, she is responsible for all firefighting, rescue, HAZMAT and disaster management operations within Queensland. Her early careercentredaround detective work in a policing career of more than 32 years, and in 2014 she led Queensland’s security efforts at the Brisbane.
With a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice and an Executive Master of Public Administration, Katarina said during her time at Griffith and whilst in policing and emergency services there has been extraordinary change in the industry.
“There is a lot more emphasis on educational qualifications and career development and my advice always to young people is never let those opportunities pass as you just never know where they can take you.”
Awards Night Gala
In a first for Griffith, the university will recognise four remarkable alumni for their outstanding achievements with the finalists in each academic area to be considered.
In the race for the Outstanding Alumni award, the already-known finalists in the Outstanding Alumni groups will be joined byBarry Thomas (GBS), Professor Paul Simshauser (GBS), Professor Phillip Di Bella (GBS) and Dr Jay Gambetta (Science) who join the field for the overall Outstanding Alumnus Award.
Overall and group winners will be celebrated at a gala dinner on Friday, September 7 2018 in Brisbane.