1. 10
#09 AUGUST 2014
OTHER NEWS
Educating now to own the Future
Over the years Mirvac has provided opportunities for internships to
a number of students in different parts of the business.
To provide even more chances for future leaders to achieve their
goals, Mirvac entered into a partnership with the University of
Western Sydney this year, resulting in the establishment of a
scholarshipprogramforstudentsstudyingpropertyrelatedsubjects.
Urban Research and Balanced Urban Development.
We recently met with the recipients of the Mirvac Scholarship and
to listen to their inspirational stories.
The consistent message from all three winners was to believe
in yourself. Each of our students has overcome some aspect of
diversity in pursuing their chosen careers and putting into action
what it takes to achieve your dreams.
best for their studies and future careers.
TROY HAMER - RECIPIENT OF THE MIRVAC
SCHOLARSHIP AND A CADETSHIP
Troy’s inspirational story started from birth. Born deaf, his parents
threw out the rule book and decided that Troy should have as
ordinary a life as any other child.
TheyspenttimeresearchingprocedurestohelpchildrenwithTroy’s
however Troy is forever grateful to his parents for taking it. After
many years of extensive speech therapy, special education classes
his local school and attend normal scheduled classes, completing
year 12.
Troy grew up in Camden which is an hour and a half south west
of Sydney. On completion of his HSC, he undertook a two year
diploma at TAFE in Architectural Technology.

2. 11
Mirvac has previously had a role in Troy’s career. “I was really
fortunate to be chosen for an internship working at Middleton
experience was what really sparked my love of construction,
however I thought that, because of my hearing problems, I would
never be able to work on a construction site,” said Troy.
After taking a year off studying to work in the planning department
of Campbelltown Council, Troy decided not to let his dream go and
successfully applied to the University of Western Sydney. He is
“There were lots of challenges growing up, in particular I had my
fair share of bullying. Year seven was hard. It’s just that time when
people well, made friends in other areas and just pushed through it.
“By year 8 it had pretty much stopped which was helped by
improved technology as my hearing device improved as well. Thank
goodness for Cochlear! They pretty much helped make my life what
it is today. That and my parents who are an absolute inspiration for
me and have taught me to face life’s challenges head on and not be
daunted by society’s expectations.”
will be commencing a Cadetship with Mirvac Construction based
I realised what a great company Mirvac was. I can’t believe I am
lucky enough to end up back here.”
We are very pleased to have Troy with us once again.
DENA NASSIR - RECIPIENT OF AN INTERNSHIP
When Dena Nassir was sitting her HSC exams, she would walk
home via Mirvac’s Middleton Grange to look at the construction of
new homes, because she said it helped her relax and take her mind
off her exams.
It is therefore no surprise to her that she should be the recipient
of an internship with Mirvac in construction however, she has met
“My dad is a builder, and when I was a child he used to come home
and tell stories about what happened on site that day. He went
into great detail talking about the type of bricks, whether he liked
the house designs, what trades turned up and generally anything
that happened. I always loved his stories and knew that was what I
wanted to do when I grew up,” said Dena.
Dena and her family have recently moved into a new home in
Middleton Grange that was built by her and her Dad.
“I love the fact that you can watch something grow from nothing.
a home. It was such a good thing to do with my Dad to build this
house. We were really conscious of making sure that it included a
facing aspects with the front windows designed to capture only
the winter sun, keeping the house warm in winter and cooler in
summer.”
degree in Construction Management, Dena noticed that she stood
out. She was one of two females in a room of around 100 men.
“Constructionisnotsomethingfemalesdoapparently.Iwasactually
advised during an interview that I should reconsider construction
‘girly girl’ such as myself. When I went home and told Dad, he told
me not to be silly and to follow my dreams.”
“All the negativity I received made me even more determined to
continue as I know that this is the right career path for me. I’m
passionate about construction and would like to one day project
Dena said that it is her belief in herself and her Dad’s support that
keeps her going. She has two more years before completing her
degree, but said that having Mirvac on her CV will really help when

3. 12
#09 AUGUST 2014
OTHER NEWS
LAUREN NIGHTINGALE - RECIPIENT OF THE
LLOYD-HURWITZ FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
When Lauren Nightingale left school 10 years ago after completing
her HSC she was undecided about her future career, but she was
sure of one thing – she wanted to be successful at it.
family. Money wasn’t plentiful in Lauren’s family and, to help make
store during her years at school. On completion of her HSC, she
Administration.
She said she really enjoyed the variety. “While I was at school I
much more to do in property management, particularly in retail. We
had over 200 properties throughout Australia to look after. This is
what made me interested in exploring a career in property.”
Lauren completed a 2 year diploma in Real Estate at TAFE and
while she enjoyed the course, she wanted to learn more. So, she
decided to apply to University of Western Sydney as a mature age
student, was successful, and is currently in her second year of a
degree in Business and Commerce.
After seven years with the one company she recently took up a role
with a fashion retailer, where she is Project Managing the roll out
and launch of a new brand to Australia with 60 new stores.
to complete my degree, but this is nothing compared to spending
When asked what the best thing was about receiving this
“I always knew that I could be successful at what I chose to do if I
reallytriedandpushedmyself.IalwayswantedtobethebestIcanbe.
Winning this scholarship has made me realise that I can achieve this.”
So where does Lauren see herself in the future?
“I don’t like to get ahead of myself, but I really enjoy retail
guess I just want to see where it all takes me.”
We also look forward to seeing where Lauren ends up.

4. Western Sydney University28
IMPACT REPORT 2014
ENGINEERING
A BRIGHT FUTURE
Education lifted Franco
Belgiorno-Nettis beyond
the poor Italian village
where he grew up, to
the top of Australia’s
engineering sector.
His son, Luca, together with his wife Anita,
recently donated $100,000 through
their Foundation, to Western Sydney
University Equity Scholarships to help
today’s students build their own success
stories. The funds will be directed towards
engineering students in financial hardship.
“Engineering is part of our family DNA and
it’s a useful vocation,” says Luca, who chose
to support Western Sydney University
because of its large number of students
from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
This was certainly the case for the late
Franco Belgiorno-Nettis. Growing up in
the south of Italy, in Puglia, he received a
scholarship to study engineering in Turin.
After returning from service with the
Italian Army during World War II, he went
on to obtain a second degree in Electrical
Engineering and Postgraduate Diploma
in Electronics These qualifications led
to a job in Milan with one of the biggest
transmission line companies in the world,
and then to a project in Australia. Settling
in Australia, Belgiorno-Nettis launched
his own construction and engineering
company, Transfield. He became one of
Australia’s most successful industrialists
and was a big supporter of the arts.
Luca is upholding his father’s legacy as
Executive Director of Transfield Holdings, and
has also continued his philanthropic work.
Western Sydney University awarded Luca with
an Honorary Doctorate of Letters last year
acknowledging his contribution to the arts and
Western Sydney University, which includes
chairing the Western Sydney University
Arts Advisory and Promotion Committee.
He was made a Member of the Order of
Australia in 2009 for his service to the arts
and the community through a range of
philanthropic endeavours and executive roles.

5. westernsydney.edu.au
IMPACT REPORT 2014
29
Luca Belgiorno-Nettis AM
“An appropriate vocational
education is often critical
to a young person’s
wellbeing,” he adds.
“I hope this scholarship
will help students reach
their full potential.”
Anita and Luca Belgiorno-Nettis AM

6. John B Fairfax AO
BUSINESSMAN AND
PHILANTHROPIST
Danielle Creek
PRIZE RECIPIENT,
PHD STUDENT
My research focuses on the adaptations that arid Eucalypts
possess to enable them to survive Australia’s harsh outback
conditions. I have a major drought experiment underway on
the Hawkesbury campus using 2m tall arid Eucalyptus saplings
that are repeatedly undergoing drought events. I want to know
whether repeated droughts will better enable these trees to
cope with future drought (through processes such as anatomical
modifications or more efficient use of water) or instead will
they sustain irreparable damage each drought and eventually
succumb to some future event? I have also started to test some
of these theories using mature trees in the National Parks in
Bourke, NSW. This research should begin to shed some light on
the future of these trees in our increasingly dry and hot climate.

7. IMPACT REPORT 2015
15
One hundred and
twenty-five years
of tradition and
academic excellence
at the Hawkesbury
campus has drawn
the support of a
diverse group of
alumni, business
people and politicians
– all with a long-
standing affiliation
with the region.
Businessman and
philanthropist John B Fairfax
AO, 1940s graduate George
Bennett – who worked with
John at the Royal Agricultural
Society, and the Hawkesbury
Alumni Chapter (HAC) are
all passionate advocates
for rural issues, and are
leading supporters of the
Hawkesbury Appeal.
Agriculture and Nursing
students will be the first to
benefit, with recipients of two
Hawkesbury Scholarships
and the $3,500 Hawkesbury
Appeal Prize for research
excellence to be announced.
“No longer do farmers
rely on the wool from a
sheep’s back to sustain their
‘passion’ for a rural lifestyle.
Farming today is a skill to be
learned. These scholarships
enable young people to
become aware of the many
opportunities modern farming
offers,” says John Fairfax.
John, who has started work
on his memoirs, has a long
history of service to the
community through executive
roles with agricultural and
charitable organisations,
including serving on
the board of the Royal
Agricultural Society of NSW
Foundation. As Chairman
of Rural Press for more than
15 years, he helped build the
agricultural and regional
publisher into a highly
successful media company.
“The Hawkesbury campus has
a long and strong tradition
in agricultural education.
Australia has benefitted from
methods and techniques
developed at institutions
such as Hawkesbury. It is
therefore vital to maintain and
encourage this education.”
Throughout history, leaders
in the rural industry have
been educated at the
campus, which opened in
1891 as the Hawkesbury
Agricultural College. Many
heritage buildings remain
in the 1,300 hectare
grounds, which feature a
working farm, extensive
orchards and vineyards.
The Hawkesbury Alumni
Chapter, which celebrates the
past and future of the campus,
donated proceeds to the
appeal from its annual lunch
hosted at NSW Parliament
House by alumni Niall Blair
MLC and Rick Colless MLC.
For more information
about establishing a
prize or scholarship, visit
westernsydney.edu.au/give
DISTINGUISHED RURAL
ADVOCATES SUPPORT
HAWKESBURY APPEAL

8. westernsydney.edu.au
IMPACT REPORT 2015
31
REALISING
WESTERN SYDNEY’S
UNLIMITED POTENTIAL
TheimpactofMatt
andNicoleGraham’s
gifttoWesternSydney
Universityisobviousin
termsoftheopportunities
itopensfortheUniversity
andscholarshiprecipient
JamesHalligan.
But the other great – and unexpected
– benefit is for Matt and Nicole,
themselves.
“The opportunity to sit with young
people at a really important stage
of their career and play a small
role in helping them understand
their own potential, and give them
an opportunity to celebrate the
strengths and gifts they have is so
rewarding,” says Matt.
A Partner at PwC and a member of
the University’s Foundation Council,
Matt and wife Nicole intend to open
doors and expand boundaries for
business students of the region
through the ‘Matt & Nicole Graham
Scholarship’.
“I feel there’s so much untapped talent
in young Australians in Western
Sydney. We have a responsibility to
help young people broaden their
own definitions of their potential and
expand some of the boundaries they
might put around that,” says Matt,
who lived there for almost 40 years.
“Western Sydney will be the engine of
growth for New South Wales for the
next 20 to 30-year period,” he says.
“And the talent who will be the leaders
in 20 to 30 years’ time live there now.
From a business point of view, there’s
definite competitive advantage in
accessing a really talented pool of
young Australians.”
Majoring in applied finance as part
of his Business and Commerce
(Advanced Business Leadership)
degree, James Halligan is one future
leader. His values and work ethic set
him apart from an impressive group
of applicants, to be awarded the
inaugural scholarship.
“He is ambitious and humble in equal
measure,” says Matt, who sat with
Nicole on the selection board. “His
discussions were consistently values
aligned, and he had a really clear
picture of who he wanted to be. As
generations have changed, a strong
work ethic in a graduate is a real
differentiator.”
Matt & Nicole Graham with their scholarship recipient, James Halligan (centre)

9. Western Sydney University28
IMPACT REPORT 2015
BUILDING A CAREER
FROM THE GROUND UP
Tim Dekruif may be at the very
beginning of an exciting career
trajectory, but he already has his
sights firmly set on the fast-paced,
high-pressure environment of a top-
tier construction firm.
Since being awarded one of five
Leighton Properties Scholarships, the
third-year Construction Management
student has already networked with
some of the industry’s most highly
regarded project managers.
But he hasn’t lost sight of the
significance of that first stepping
stone – his degree – from
which he plans to graduate
with First Class Honours.
“By obtaining this scholarship, I
will be able to maintain my focus
towards my studies with the main
goal of achieving excellent results,”
says Tim, who saw the scholarship
as an opportunity to gain valuable
experience and share his passion for
the construction industry with like-
minded professionals.
Tim is photographed with Andrew
Steventon, Leighton’s Project Director
and the Senior Project Manager of
1PSQ, the University’s new flagship
Parramatta campus.
Andrew is one of the ‘highly regarded’
project managers Tim aims to
emulate. He is also a graduate of
Western Sydney University. Andrew
was invited to address the Property
Careers night with students and
employers at the University last year,
where he recounted the launch of his
career in 1997.
The cadetship he had been chasing
with Multiplex wasn’t possible
without a degree, and his tertiary
ranking wasn’t high enough to
get into university. So he visited
the University’s engineering and
construction departments.
“The doors were locked and I thought
I had no hope when a gentleman
with glasses and snowy hair heard
me and approached with a smile,”
said Andrew. “[Lecturer] Mr Phil Love
listened to my story and managed to
secure me a position in the Bachelor
of Building course… I was awarded
that cadetship.”
Andrew took five-and-a-half years
to achieve his degree while working
full-time with Multiplex. He quickly
moved up the ranks from tasks such
as taking lunch orders and copying
drawings, to those tasks he aspired
to do. He project managed many
high-profile developments, including
Sydney’s Macquarie Bank Building at
1 Shelley Street, before moving into
development management in 2010.
“Things seem to have taken me back
to Western Sydney University after
my introduction almost 20 years ago,”
said Andrew.
For more information about
establishing a scholarship and
recruiting top students, please
visit westernsydney.edu.au/give/
scholarships
Tim Dekruif (left), B Construction Management student and Andrew Steventon (right), Bachelor of Building (Construction Management) 2002

10. CELEBRATING
125 YEARS OF
THE HAWKESBURY
CAMPUS

11. The Hawkesbury Appeal
was launched by Western
Sydney University Vice-
Chancellor and President
and the Hawkesbury
campus Provost in 2014.
Last year, the Appeal
received significant
financial support from
John B Fairfax AO as well
as the proceeds of the
HAC lunch.
It is also symbolically
significant that one of our
oldest Hawkesbury Alum,
George Bennett OAM, is a
dedicated supporter and
has contributed to the
appeal.
2016 marks the 125th
anniversary of the
establishment of the
Hawkesbury Agricultural
College. It is also
significant as it is the first
year that the Hawkesbury
Appeal Scholarship and
Prize have been awarded.
MEET THE DONORS
JOHN B FAIRFAX AO
“The Hawkesbury campus has
a long and strong tradition in
agricultural education. Australia
has benefitted from methods
and techniques developed at
institutions such as Hawkesbury.
It is therefore vital to maintain
and encourage this education.”
GEORGE BENNETT OAM
George Bennett is a well-known
Hawkesbury alum, Alumni
Awards finalist, and donor to
the Hawkesbury appeal, as well
as long-time supporter of the
Hawkesbury Alumni Luncheon.
(HAC 1942-44 and staff member
from 1970-1986)
HAWKESBURY
APPEAL

12. MEET THE RECIPIENTS
MEGAN HOUNSLOW
Megan Hounslow is a third
year Agriculture student at
Hawkesbury and the Co-
Leader of the Youth Food
Movement Western Sydney
Chapter. She aspires to
work in communications
with a focus on food. Megan
has received a scholarship
funded by the Hawkesbury
Appeal and is pictured here
outside Yarramundi House at
Hawkesbury campus.
CATHRYN HIBBARD
Cathryn Hibbard is in
her third year of Nursing
and hopes to become an
emergency nurse. Cathryn
has received a scholarship
funded by the Hawkesbury
Appeal and is pictured here
outside Yarramundi House at
Hawkesbury campus.
DANIELLE CREEK
Danielle Creek is a researcher
with Hawkesbury Institute
for the Environment and
the inaugural winner of the
Hawkesbury Prize for her project
“Living With Drought: Adaptive
Responses Of Eucalyptus
Species To Water Deficit”.
Danielle is pictured at the rain
out shelter on the outskirts of
Hawkesbury campus.
2016 marks the 125th
anniversary of the renowned
Hawkesbury Agricultural
College (HAC) and the
Hawkesbury campus.
HAC was the first agricultural
college in NSW, and played a
formative role in developing
the state’s agricultural and
horticultural industries.
Opened by the Honourable
Sydney Smith, Secretary
for Mines and Minister for
Agriculture, on 16 March 1891,
many leaders in the rural
industry have been educated
at the campus. Some of
the more famous names to
study at the College include
the sons of Prime Ministers
Billy Hughes and Edmund
Barton, a member of the Yates
gardening family, several
members of the Lindeman
wine-making family and the
son of Henry Lawson. Today,
many heritage buildings
remain in the 1,300 hectare
grounds which feature a
working farm, extensive
orchards and vineyards. The
Hawkesbury campus legacy of
equipping graduates with the
skills they need continues with
modern scientific techniques
and world-class facilities.

13. WeinviteyoutojoinusinsupportingstudentsattheHawkesburycampus.
KEY AREAS TO MAXIMISE IMPACT ENDOWMENT ANNUAL GIFT
Academic Prize for Excellence $20K $1,000
Undergraduate Scholarships $150K $7,500 pa x 4-5 years
Masters of Research Scholarships $500K $25,000 pa x 2 years
PAYMENT DETAILS
Donation Amount (one-off) $
Annual donation amount $
CONTACT DETAILS – SO WE CAN SEND YOUR TAX DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT
First name Last name
Address
City State Postcode
Telephone Email address
I wish to pay by credit card
Please debit my Visa MasterCard
Card number
Name on card
Expiry date / Today’s date / /
Signature
To find out more about supporting scholarships
and prizes for Hawkesbury students, or to
schedule an informal meeting or tour of the
University, please contact:
The Office of Advancement and Alumni
E: giving@westernsydney.edu.au
T: (02) 9685 9511
W: westernsydney.edu.au/give
I wish to pay by cheque. Please make cheques and money orders out to “Western Sydney University”.
Mail to: Advancement and Alumni, Western Sydney University, Reply Paid 70475, Penrith NSW 2751
I wish to receive an invoice or pay by direct deposit (the University will contact you).
Please send me further information about leaving a gift in my Will to Western Sydney University.
*Please note all donations over $2 to Western Sydney University are tax deductible.

14. Macquarie Telecom Announces Cyber Security Scholarship
Program to Address Skills Gap
December 17 2015
Macquarie Telecom has announced it will sponsor two scholarships in cyber security at
Western Sydney University next year as its contribution to heading off a looming skills crisis
in the cyber security industry.
After participating in the Prime Minister’s cyber security summit in July this year, it became
clear to me that business needs to step up and make a direct contribution to filling what is
emerging as a yawning skills gap in a fast developing field.” said Macquarie Telecom
managing director of Government and Hosting, Aidan Tudehope.
“The Government recognised the importance of the industry – and the huge national
opportunity for it to become a foundation of future prosperity – by announcing the Cyber
Security Growth Centre in the recent innovation statement.
“Businesses of all sizes need to get the message that cyber security is their problem. It's not
a problem for governments to fix on their behalf, or for universities to magically resolve,” he
said.
“This is also not an industry where the private sector can take the lazy way out of importing
all the necessary skills.
“The particular sensitivities around cyber security means that many practitioners working
with Government systems, for example, need to be security cleared, and there are
citizenship requirements attached to this,” Mr Tudehope said.
“So the competition for the best and brightest will become more intense, and today’s skills
shortage could easily become a full blown skills crisis unless more people take a forward
thinking approach and invest in national skills development.”
Macquarie Telecom provides front line security to 42% of Federal Government agencies
through its Secure Internet Gateway.
“Our team understands the importance of cyber security and the complexities of handling
vast amounts of data created by an increasingly connected world.

15. “We understand the criticality in developing skill sets that understand these complexities
and the challenges to tackle cyber security threats at a cyber-national scale hence our
investment in these scholarships” said Mr Tudehope.
Applications for the Macquarie Telecom Cyber Security Scholarship are open from now until
6th
March 2016. Detail at
http://www.westernsydney.edu.au/informationabout/scholarships_home/all_uws_scholarship
s/macquarie_telecom_cyber_security_scholarship
Ends
Contact 0438121114
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Online version:
https://macquarietelecomgroup.com/news/cyber-security-scholarship-
program/?q=/resources/blog/17/12/2015/cyber-security-scholarship-program/
Tweet from Prime Minister and Cabinet:
Interview Panel: