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2019 Alumni Award winners

Graham Kerr

Graham Kerr

Winner of the Distinguished Alumni Award 2019

Bachelor of Business, 1993

As inaugural Chief Executive Officer of South32, Graham Kerr holds one of the most senior mining roles in Australia, and a position that gives him the platform to advance initiatives that accelerate social, environmental and ethical change. Graham began his career at BHP Billiton in 1994, as a new ECU Business graduate and spent 20 years with the company. For the past five-and-a-half years as South32’s inaugural CEO Graham has led the company through its demerger from BHP to its position today as a globally-diversified miner. It’s been an extraordinary journey for Graham as he forged his own path, while facing the challenges of a rapidly changing world. As the head of a global company with more than 14,000 employees, producing 10 commodities in five countries, Graham’s career demonstrates the power of business — and a business degree — to create new and fascinating opportunities.

Emily O'Shea

Emily O'Shea

Winner of the Community Alumni Award 2019

Bachelor of Science (Nursing), 2016

Emily O’Shea took up nursing after searching for a way that she could make an individual difference in people’s lives, and has since used the skills she developed to transform life for children on the tiny island of Siargao in the Philippines. She is the founder of the Australian-registered charity GROM Nation, a grass-roots charity based on Siargao that works to address social and health issues in the community. The organisation provides free surfing, sports and social activities to children as part of a mentoring program that encourages them to stay engaged and active at school, while Ms O’Shea and her team also provide vital access to life-saving health care for local children.

Linda May Han Oh

Linda May Han Oh

Winner of the International Alumni Award 2019

Bachelor of Music (Jazz) Honours, 2006

Linda May Han Oh is a globally renowned double bassist, electric bassist and composer, composing music for various ensembles and films. Since graduating with honours from WAAPA at ECU, Linda has become one of the most in demand jazz bassists in the world. In addition to her tremendous musical skills, Linda has also pioneered equality in the music industry. Linda is an original member of the "We Have Voice" Collective, an organisation based in the US that is working towards equality for women in the music industry, and fighting against sexism and sexual harassment in the musical workplace.

Samuel Parry

Samuel Parry

Winner of the Young Alumni Award 2019

Bachelor of Music Honours, 2017

Sam Parry is one of Western Australia’s leading woodwind and brass multi-instrumentalists, and a passionate advocator for volunteer and community work. Inspired by the high standard of his WAAPA colleagues and peers, and driven by the lack of musical opportunities in Perth over the summer holiday period, Sam founded WA Charity Orchestra in 2008, at the young age of 18. Since its foundation, the WACO has played a crucial role in WA’s musical landscape, with a mission to change lives through music. Sam remains the music director for all the WACO ensembles, and has launched the professional careers of hundreds of young classical musicians, changed the lives of thousands of audience members, and raised more than $100,000 for WA charities.

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