📍Should your postcode shape your maternity care?
@CharlesSturtUni alumna and dedicated midwife Torie Finnane didn’t think so.
Now a scholarship created in her memory is supporting the next generation of regional midwives.
Apply today: bit.ly/TorieFinnaneScholarsh…#Midwife#Nurse
ALT Close-up colour photo of a yawning newborn baby resting against an adult. Overlaid text reads: ‘Scholarships. Delivering the future of regional maternity care. Inspired by alumna Torie Finnane, this scholarship is set to empower the next generation of midwives.’
🏆 2026 Charles Sturt Alumni Award Winners
Congratulations to this inspiring group of alumni creating positive change across Australia and the world. 👏
👉 alumni.csu.edu.au/meet-our-a…
🏆 2026 Charles Sturt Alumni Award Winners
🏅 Jordan Emery: Professional Excellence
🔬 Prof Stuart Blacksell: Research Excellence
🖤 Craig Taylor: First Nations Excellence
💡 Dr Matthew Muir: Innovation
🌱 Dr Annie Fardell Hartley: Social Impact
🌟 Dr Courtney Ierano: Young
Tara James has spent over 20 years helping Australian innovations grow, scale and crack global markets.
Meet our 2025 Alumni Award Winner for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Creativity:
bit.ly/MeetTaraJames
David Windsor is building cultural divide and bringing First Nations knowledge into contemporary emergency management practices.
Meet our 2025 Alumni Award Winner for First Nations Excellence:
bit.ly/MeetDavidWindsor
Anita Geary is determined to reshape the future of mental healthcare in regional Australia.
Her practice supports those so often left behind, ensuring access to care that is safe and inclusive.
Meet our 2025 Alumni Award Winner for Social Impact: bit.ly/MeetAnitaGeary
Dr Sena Semsak serves as Head of Policy Unit and Personal Assistant to the Prime Minister, where he’s shaping the future of education across the country, Cambodia.
Meet our 2025 Alumni Award Winner for Young Alumni: bit.ly/MeetSenaSemsak#AlumniAwards#CharlesSturtAlumni
ALT Amber Johns in a biomedical laboratory, wearing glasses and a black top, standing with equipment and benches in the background. On-image quote: “Science can be slow, unpredictable, even heartbreaking. But it moves. And when it does, it’s nothing short of incredible.” Lower text: “Amber Johns, Cancer Researcher, Bachelor of Medical Science, 2007.” Context: Charles Sturt University Alumni Awards 2025 Research Excellence recipient. Former APGI leader within the ICGC at the Garvan Institute; now Head of Research and Programs at Pankind, driving translational research to lift survival and quality of life for people with pancreatic cancer. Keywords: pancreatic cancer, translational research, genomics, CSU Alumni Awards.
How do you shift survival odds in one of the toughest cancers?
Just ask Amber Johns 💜
Leading global research that turns data into discovery and hope, meet our 2025 Alumni Award Winner for Research Excellence:
🔗 bit.ly/2025ResearchExcellenc…#AlumniAwards#Research#Cancer
ALT Charles Sturt University Alumni Awards 2025 promotional tile. Close-up portrait of Amber Johns, CSU alumna, smiling against a grey background with CSU graphic. On-image text reads: “Alumni Awards. Meet Amber Johns: Accelerating cancer research and shaping global genomic ethics.” Context: 2025 Alumni Award for Research Excellence. Amber helped lead the Australian Pancreatic Cancer Genome Initiative within the International Cancer Genome Consortium at the Garvan Institute and now serves as Head of Research and Programs at Pankind, advancing translational pancreatic cancer research. Bachelor of Medical Science, 2007. Keywords: pancreatic cancer research, genomics, global genomic ethics, CSU Alumni.
ALT Ben Kereopa-Yorke, wearing glasses and a navy blazer, smiling outdoors. Quote overlay reads: “Every day brings new challenges in AI security, and I get to help shape how Australia responds to these evolving threats.” Ben works at NBN Australia, contributes to OWASP’s international AI security projects, and is a Charles Sturt University Master of Cyber Security graduate recognised in the 2025 CSU Alumni Awards.
Amber Johns, our Head of Research and Programs, has been named @CharlesSturtUni's Alumnus of the Year 👏
Her work spans science, policy and care - driving progress where it’s most needed in pancreatic cancer.
Thank you, Amber. We’re proud to have you leading this work.
From starting uni without a bachelor’s degree to shaping global standards in AI security, Ben Kereopa-Yorke’s path shows the power of courage, persistence & perspective.
Meet our 2025 Alumni Award Winner for Professional Excellence:
🔗bit.ly/2025ProfessionalExcel…#alumni#awards
ALT Close-up portrait of Ben Kereopa-Yorke, winner of the 2025 Charles Sturt University Alumni Award for Professional Excellence. Text overlay reads: “Meet Ben Kereopa-Yorke: Proving that diverse paths lead to extraordinary futures.” Ben is an AI Security Specialist at NBN Australia, co-leads the OWASP Machine Learning Security Top 10 global initiative, and is a graduate of Charles Sturt’s Master of Cyber Security program.
ALT Charles Sturt University graphic introducing the 2025 Alumni Awards winners. Six headshots with names: Ben Kereopa-Yorke, Amber Johns, Anita Geary, Tara James, David Windsor, Dr Sena Semsak. Text: “Introducing our 2025 Alumni Awards winners!”
The world expects #gender balance.
We’re making a real effort to notice its absence and celebrate its presence.
It’s not easy making change, but there’s some amazing work being done to bring women closer to true #equality.
For that, we are proud💜
#InternationalWomensDay
Consider applying for this WONDERFUL job in our new Children's Voices Centre @CharlesSturtUni. You will lead interdisciplinary research initiatives aiming to make a difference in the lives of children, families and communities globally external-jobs.csu.edu.au/cw/…
ALT (c) Charles Sturt University Children's Voices Centre
Children and adults sitting in front of a sign saying "Create a world worth living in"
Honoured to be recognised for this award at Charles Sturt University. I have such great memories of my time studying in Bathurst.
Thank you to Matilda Hughes for nominating me!