“Curtin Commons is an online storytelling space for Curtin alumni, staff, students and friends. Featuring a series of thought-provoking articles intended to inspire and enlighten, Commons celebrates the many amazing contributions of our Curtin community and how they are striving to create a brighter future for us all.”
– Carmelle Wilkinson, Editor-in-Chief
From executive assistant to celebrity photographer, Kid Chan’s career journey is as vivid and impactful as his images. Today the Curtin Business graduate is one of 100 people you must know in Asia according to Tatler Magazine and a bestselling author.
Former Head of English and current Head of Academics and Innovation at Wesley College Adam Kealley understands the power of words.
With a recent PhD in creative writing and cultural studies from Curtin, the avid reader and writer shares his top tips on improving your writing skills.
Growing up in Singapore, a young Khai Kamarudin dreamt of becoming a nurse one day – just like his mum. However, he found himself on a completely different path before fulfilling his true passion – one which included a short stint as light fabrication engineer and a police officer on the front line in Singapore.
When a terrible stutter started to negatively impact his life, Peter Dhu decided to stop speaking altogether. For 10 years of his life, Peter became an elective mute. Now, the Applied Science graduate and former medical scientist is one of Australia’s most inspirational public speakers – helping others find their voice.
Whether it was working on old cars on his family’s farm in Albany growing up or taking apart computers with his older brothers – WA entrepreneur Brad Hill, always had a passion for innovation. Now, the Curtin MBA graduate is shining the spotlight on fellow WA entrepreneurs in a new TV program on Channel 9.
From a young age, Dr Marnie Gibson and Global Director for People at T2 was curious about the world around her. This International Women’s Day, the highly professional HR and engagement leader is encouraging young girls to continue asking questions, embrace leadership roles and know their worth.
From 17, Ligwina Hananto took an interest in finance, helping her grandmother manage the household bills. Fast forward to 2024, and the Curtin finance and marketing graduate is a global financial trainer, business leader and stand-up comedian.
Just days from graduating with a Master of Arts in publishing writing, Amer Saleh reflects on the sacrifices her parents made to give her a better life. Born to immigrant parents, the 24-year-old hopes to use her writing to give the world’s most vulnerable a voice and to work for an organisation that advocates for something bigger than herself.
At 81-years of age, Perth Children’s Hospital pharmacist Allan Jones is showing no signs of slowing down. A warm and friendly face to all those who visit the hospital, Allan was recently recognised as a health hero at the WA Health Excellence Awards for his 55 years of service.
Despite being told by his high school teachers that he would never make it as a doctor, Isaiah Attkins never gave up hope. This year the Curtin Medical graduate finishes his internship at Fiona Stanley Hospital and has his eyes set on becoming a surgeon one day.
Despite feeling like Hollywood was a million miles away, Curtin Film and TV graduate Zak Hilditch chose to back himself and work hard. Now, the Australian director and writer is doing what he loves and has valuable advice to those wanting to follow in his footsteps.
In 2020, the Creative Writing graduate put pen to paper and wrote about her dad’s tumultuous life as a heroin addict and drug trafficker in her book, Old Boy.
Former Head of English and current Head of Academics and Innovation at Wesley College Adam Kealley understands the power of words.
With a recent PhD in creative writing and cultural studies from Curtin, the avid reader and writer shares his top tips on improving your writing skills.
At 81-years of age, Perth Children’s Hospital pharmacist Allan Jones is showing no signs of slowing down. Allan shares his secret to a long and fulfilling career.
For Creative Spotlight, Curtin Arts graduate Tyrown Waigana shares his latest commissioned works in response to the Carrolup Collection at John Curtin Gallery as part of ‘𝙉’𝙮𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣-𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙡 𝙒𝙖𝙜𝙪𝙧 – 𝙔𝙚𝙮𝙚 𝙒𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙚 [𝘼𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝 – 𝙏𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠]’ exhibition.
Tyrown’s work on display features six large digital illustrations that seek to interrogate the idea that children’s work was never meant to last. The figures in the images don’t have faces – this is to represent the nameless, faceless artists that were once known to their communities but not recorded. The series reflects the collective mindset of children and the similarity in style and aesthetics across the Carrolup artworks.
Through his work, Tyrown wants viewers to remember the contribution of the child artists in Carrolup to art in Australia. He hopes viewers will walk away with a deeper understanding that Indigenous art has been more valued than Indigenous life in Australia.
Tyrown is a Noongar and Ait Koedhal (Torres Strait Islander) multi-disciplinary artist with lineage to people from the southwest of Western Australia and Saibai Island in the Torres Strait.
The exhibition is running at the John Curtin Gallery until July 8. Exhibition presenting partners are the John Curtin Gallery and Lotterywest.
Image Carousel: Image one displays an installation view of Dancing Douglas the Deliberate, Bob Boarded Boxed in, Sitting Slick Suzie. Image two displays an installation view of Heavy Bottom John, Enter Face Ethel, Martha Mangle Stuck Together.
Read our full interview with Tyrown here.
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A ‘commons’ is a space that is shared by and benefits a community.
Our commons is a cultural and virtual one, reflecting the ideas and experiences shared by a proud and distinct Curtin community living in Western Australia and around the world. We hope that this space will inspire us to stay connected in ways that are beneficial to our lives, families and communities.
