Alumni Fellows Awards

The Alumni Fellows awards recogniseÌýalumni who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of the University of Adelaide's Alumni Relations program.

The 2025 Alumni Fellows Awards were presented at the University's Distinguished Alumni Awards in December 2025.

Prior to 2007 the Alumni Fellows were titled Alumni Association Fellows and recognised the contribution of alumni to the former Alumni Association.


2025 Alumni Fellows

A professional portrait of Julian

Julian Audras

Bachelor of Commerce in International Business 2016

Julian Audras has shown outstanding commitment to alumni engagement, dedicating extensive volunteer hours to connect early-career graduates. Joining the Young Alumni Network (YAN) Committee in December 2020, he quickly rose to Secretary and then President by December 2021, leading through pandemic disruptions with remarkable success. His strategic leadership delivered impactful events and strengthened alumni ties. In recognition, Julian was appointed to the University’s Alumni Council in 2023 and currently serves on the Adelaide University Alumni Transition Advisory Group. His expertise in governance, project management, and stakeholder engagement has been instrumental across his roles, fostering an agile and collaborative mindset while focussing on meaningful outcomes for the alumni community.

A photo of John in a suit

John Hancock AM

Bachelor of Laws 1969

John Hancock AM is a distinguished law graduate whose decades-long commitment to the University’s Alumni Relations program has had global impact, especially in Southeast Asia. He served on the Alumni Council (2010–2017) and founded the University’s Alumni Network in Thailand, where he continues as Honorary Advisor to the committee. His numerous accolades reflect his exceptional leadership and dedication to fostering Australian-Thai relationships, particularly through his instrumental role in developing and sustaining alumni engagement in Thailand. John’s enduring advocacy and mentorship have strengthened alumni ties and elevated the University’s international presence.

A photo of Elise sitting down in a green dress

Elyce Pate

Bachelor of Nursing 2008

Elyce Pate was appointed President of the Adelaide Nursing School Alumni Network (ANSAN) in 2023 and has been a driving force behind its growth and impact. She played a key role in launching ANSAN in 2022 and has championed initiatives that support nursing graduates’ wellbeing and professional development. Elyce has fostered strong connections across academia, industry, and global alumni, leading collaborations with the Joanna Briggs Institute and securing event speakers on critical topics like sustainable practice and global leadership. Elyce’s efforts have expanded alumni engagement, mentoring, and networking opportunities for nursing graduates, making her a standout leader in building a vibrant nursing alumni community.

Dr Rachel Spencer in a black suit, smiling with hands clasped

Dr Rachel Spencer

Bachelor of Arts 1985; Bachelor of Laws 1986; Master of Laws 1994

Dr Rachel Spencer, President of the Friends of the Library (FOTL) since 2022, brings over 30 years of legal and academic leadership to the role. She has revitalised the committee, expanded alumni engagement, and led successful fundraising initiatives, including the acclaimed Robert Barr Smith film screening. Rachel’s advocacy has forged partnerships across the Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAM) sector and supported student mentoring, resulting in high attendance for network events. She has attracted new committee members and launched a 2025 author webinar series. A skilled public speaker and lifelong learner, Rachel is also a valued member on the Adelaide University Alumni Transition Advisory Group and maintains several board positions including Writers SA.

Emily smiling in a striped top

Her Honour Judge Emily Telfer

Bachelor of Arts in Jurisprudence 1994; Bachelor of Laws (Honours) 1996

Her Honour Judge Emily Telfer has made a transformative contribution through her leadership of the John Bray Alumni Network. As President, she expanded the Network’s reach, strengthened its financial base, and championed key initiatives including the Law Alumni Network Prize, a $15,000 scholarship, and the inaugural John Bray Medal. She led the committee to advance the Continuing Legal Education Program, securing resources to ensure all funds benefit alumni initiatives. Emily also launched a student mentoring program, fostering meaningful connections between alumni and future legal professionals. Her service reflects innovation, generosity, and a deep commitment to nurturing alumni and the future of the legal profession.

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Past Alumni Fellows

  • 2024 Alumni Fellows

    Gill Duck

    Graduate Certificate in Management 2011, Graduate Diploma in Business Administration 2012, Master of Business Administration 2013

    Gill served as a committee member of the MBA Alumni Committee before being elected unopposed to the position of President in November 2023. She has had a significant impact on the Network, building its committee and activities and forming closer ties with the Adelaide Business School to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship. Under Gill’s strategic leadership the committee has flourished with eight new members, generating fresh ideas and enthusiasm, developing exciting new initiatives for the future, and implementing a successful sponsorship arrangement with the Adelaide Business School.

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    Ashleigh Geiger

    Level 4 Certificate of Classical Music 2005, Bachelor of Music (Musicology) (Honours) 2016, Bachelor of Science (Advanced) 2019, PhD candidate (current)

    Ashleigh has served as a member of the Women in STEM Alumni Network (WiSAN) since its inception November 2020, starting as the committee Secretary and serving as President from June 2022 to May 2024. She is extremely passionate about ensuring that Women in STEM are represented and are given more opportunities to connect and support each other. Ashleigh's expert guidance enabled WiSAN to deliver many well-received events, and has empowered committee members to continue providing innovative networking opportunities to the alumni community.

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    Sam Ng

    International Graduate Diploma Environmental Management 2003, Master of International Environmental Management (Singapore) 2005

    Sam joined the Adelaide University Alumni Association Singapore (AUAAS) in 2014 and has served as Vice-President and then President for five consecutive terms. During this time, he has successfully cultivated strong relationships with the University of Adelaide alumni networks in Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and China. His efforts have helped foster a robust and interconnected community among University alumni in these regions. Sam played an instrumental role in hosting the PACE Transformative Leadership Program in Singapore in 2023, and is dedicated to supporting the University’s local recruitment activities.

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    Alan Richardson

    Roseworthy Diploma in Agriculture 1972, Roseworthy Diploma in Agricultural Technology 1973

    A respected member of the Southeast community, Alan was active in the Roseworthy Old Collegians Association (ROCA) from 1987 to 2018, helping to maintain strong links with ROCA members in South Australia’s Southeast and western Victoria. Alan was instrumental in organising and supporting successful ROCA events locally in the Southeast as well as in Adelaide, and utilised his public profile to promote the network’s achievements and activities. In recognition of his wider impact for the network and its members, Alan was awarded the prestigious ROCA Award of Merit in 2013.

  • 2023 Alumni Fellows

    Randolph Brazier

    Bachelor of Electrical Engineering / Bachelor of Science (Physics) 2009

    Randolph joined the South Australian Universities Alumni Europe in 2016 and served as Treasurer and Trustee until his election as Chair in 2019. During this time, he has been instrumental in engaging with alumni members in mainland Europe and has successfully restarted and broadened the network’s engagement with the business community, the Office of the Agent General of South Australia and the High Commission.

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    Jeffrey B K Lam

    Master of Business Administration 2007

    Jeffrey Lam served as a member of the Adelaide University Alumni Association Singapore committee from 2014-2023 and showed exceptional dedication to securing funding and creating opportunities for alumni in Singapore. Serving as President during his final term, he led the association’s successful efforts to engage alumni through diverse online activities during the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring they stayed connected with the University and other significant communities.

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    Lousia Rose

    Bachelor of Applied Science (Wine Science) 1993

    Louisa Rose graduated as dux of her cohort in 1993. One of Adelaide’s leading winemakers, she was a dedicated member of the Alumni Council for more than nine years. Between 2017-2023, she held the role of Alumni Council Chair, in which she contributed immeasurably to the University’s advancement strategies, the Alumni Relations program, Alumni recognition and awards projects, and the operation of the Alumni Council itself.

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    Sunny Wu

    Bachelor of Media 2010, Bachelor of Laws 2012, Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice 2014

    Sunny Wu is the longest-serving committee member of the Young Alumni Network and has served the network with exemplary professionalism and dedication. Sunny continues to make a valuable contribution to the University’s Alumni Relations program, including through the organisation of events, the generous provision of pro bono professional photography, and significant contributions to the network’s business continuity.

  • 2021 Alumni Fellows

    Associate Professor Wayne BoardmanÌý

    Senior Lecturer inÌýWildlife & Conservation Medicine and One healthÌýBiosecurity, University of Adelaide

    Wayne is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Animal and Veterinary Science and was instrumental in establishing the Roseworthy Veterinary Alumni (RVA) Network. Wayne continues to provide support to the committee through his university and industry knowledge.

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    Marilyn Seidel

    BA 1986

    Marilyn has dedicated countless hours furthering the success of the University through volunteering. A member of the University’s bequest committee, the ‘Hughes Society Committee’ and serving as Chair for the past six years, Marilyn helped to engage fellow alumni and promote the Society.

    Marilyn has also supported the University’s international students through the ‘Talking with Aussies’ program and has participated in undergraduate programs within the School of Oral Health for many years as a volunteer patient.

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    Dr Cher-Lynn Soh

    PhD (Bio Sc) 2016

    Graduating in 2018, Cher-Lynn and fellow alumni Reuben Jacob were instrumental in establishing the Sciences Alumni Network (SAN). Cher-Lynn became Vice-President of the committee and remains in this position.

    Cher-Lynn served on the mentoring sub-committee and dedicated time to the Network’s social media planning and posting. Cher-Lynn also served on the Young Alumni Network committee.

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    Reuben Jacob

    B Sc (Biotech) 2008, B Sc (Hons) 2009

    Graduating in 2009, Reuben and fellow alumni Cher-Lynn Soh established the Sciences Alumni Network (SAN). Reuben became the President of SAN and remains in this position. SAN provides a platform for alumni to connect with their University in a meaningful way and fosters interdisciplinary networking, promotes peer to peer mentoring and enables opportunities for alumni professional and personal development. SAN runs various events throughout the year including a mentoring program that connect alumni from around the globe.

    In 2021, Reuben also became the Elected Member – Faculty of Sciences for the Alumni Council.

  • 2019 Alumni Fellows

    Judge Katrina Bochner
    In recognition of her work as Chair of the John Bray Law Alumni Network (JBLAN).

    Lorraine Caruso
    In recognition of her work as President of the Adelaide MBA Alumni Committee.

    Ann Davis
    In recognition of her contribution to London based, South Australian Universities Alumni Europe (SAUAE) committee.

  • 2018 Alumni Fellows

    David Coyner
    In recognition of his contribution to the Roseworthy Old Collegian Association

    Dr Helen McLean
    In recognition of her contribution to the University of Adelaide’s philanthropic and alumni relations program

    Ram Gerthi
    In recognition of hisÌýcontribution to the Adelaide University Alumni Association Singapore

  • Alumni Fellow Rules