“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
Abbey Cullen was 19 when she had her first seizure.
Now, the morning Triple M radio announcer and journalism graduate is using her media platform to raise awareness and bring epilepsy out of the shadows.
Curtin’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Lindy Fitzgerald, has always been driven to make a difference. Inspired by her parents, she pursued higher education and now leads groundbreaking research at Curtin University.
Captain Ian Cheng, a seasoned pilot with Singapore Airlines, continues to find awe in the skies after 28 years. As Vice President and Chief Pilot for Boeing 777s, he oversees a fleet of 27 aircraft and 450 pilots. His passion for aviation remains undimmed, a testament to the enduring thrill of flight.
This month, our Editor-in-Chief, Carmelle Wilkinson, interviewed James Chen, PBM, President of the Singapore Alumni Chapter.
James is a finance and marketing alumnus with a fascinating career. He’s currently the CEO of Athena Best Financial and co-founder of Every Little Helps charity.
Hi James! When did your interest in finance begin?
“It would have been in my late teens,” James replied. “I enjoyed reading about the stock market and decided to study commerce at Curtin.
A Curtin University speech clinic is helping brain injury survivor Jordan Bowling regain his voice. Two years ago, Jordan fell 13 meters down a cliff, leaving him paralyzed. The clinic offers hope on his long road to recovery.
Whether it was working on old cars on his family’s farm in Albany or taking apart computers with his older brothers – making things better and finding better ways of working fuelled his passion and curiosity.
Changing the world may seem like an impossible feat, but for mechanical engineering graduate Eldin Rostom that dream is one step closer, thanks to breakthrough technology, which could change the lives of those suffering respiratory disorders.
“Despite being extremely unwell throughout her cancer journey, Sally remained cheerful and alwayas expressed gratitude to her doctors and nurses.
After completing a Bachelor of Commerce (Acc & Fin) at our Perth campus in 2006, he returned to Kuala Lumpur and founded Planters – a conservation program which now being incorporated as a public company whose main goal is to preserve biodiversity through strategic reforestation.
After years of working as a freelance designer around the world, Curtin Commerce graduate Emilie Otto became burnt out and exhausted.
Fast forward to 2024, she is now the owner of House of Hobby, which is a space that helps people find a creative hobby while supporting and empowering local artists and makers to share their skills.
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 Visual Arts graduate Robin Wells shares her exquisite 2024 Christmas ornament collection inspired by the beauty and awe of Australian native plants and flowers.
Based in Perth, Australia, Robin has become renowned for her unique and intricately handcrafted Australian contemporary jewellery and designs, inspired by the beauty and fragility of Australian native flora and fauna.
Growing up, Robin spent hours tinkering and creating alongside her father in his workshop, making little objects from found bits and pieces.
These memories and experiences became so precious to Robin when her father passed away when she was just 11 years old. A few years later, this passion for creation and design manifested into a thriving jewellery-making career.
Shop Robin’s 2024 collection here. Read our full interview with Robin here.
Photo credit: Claire McFerran – Gathering Light.
Subscribe to our Curtin Commons Noticeboard newsletter, and you’ll receive the latest news, profiles and in-depth essays in your inbox every month!
If you’re already a Curtin graduate, update your details to receive our newsletter automatically.
What do you think about Curtin Commons and the stories we’re sharing? Have any ideas or a story you think we should cover? We want to know.
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.