“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
26/11/2025. By Carmelle Wilkinson. For William Peucker, discovering graphic design wasn’t just about finding a […]
Dressed in her graduation regalia, Afia Anjum stood beside the stage at Curtin’s 2025 Djiiba Graduations. Just weeks before, she received news no one is ever prepared for.
Amidst the chaos of civil war in Sri Lanka, a young man driven by pure will and an entrepreneurial flair, launched a start-up that later, his daughter would help turn into a flourishing business.
Ed Punchard. From surviving the world’s worst offshore oil rig disaster to uncovering long-lost shipwrecks […]
Matt, Nate and Dan Curran are passionate about celebrating their indigenous roots and sparking meaningful change along the way.
Creative director Ken Leung is the visionary behind Curtin Alumni’s new video. The Curtin alum has an extraordinary career story, which involves working in New York and with major fashion brands like Calvin Klein.
If you suggested to a young Gavin Aung Than that he would one day, be crowned a “New York Times Bestselling cartoonist,” he likely would have brushed it off with a polite laugh.
Rebecca Nadilo (Bachelor of Commerce – Marketing and Advertising) is a formidable leader in the world of marketing and brand creation.
As CEO of Iris in Singapore, Rebecca’s key focus is empowering and leading a high-performance team to success.
Founder of Mediavation, Paul Christian has always had a camera in his hand. Growing up, Paul spent most of his time writing scripts on his dad’s work computer. Fast forward to now, the Mass Communications and Journalism graduate is living out his childhood dream.
In 2015, Tom Johnston swapped his business suit for a wetsuit – opening his own surf school – Perth Go Surf.
Since then, Tom now has the rewarding task of helping people with autism find enjoyment in catching their own waves, through a new partnership – Ocean Heroes.
After winning Curtin’s Talent for Tomorrow Competition in 2023 – there is a name that has become quite popular at our graduation celebrations – 3NA.
For the past two years, brothers Matt, Dan and Nate have been treating our graduation audiences to a finale most universities would be envious of. Dan (Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery) and Nate (Bachelor of Science, Occupational Therapy) are both proud Curtin Alumnus, and together with their brother Matt, are fusing the unlikely worlds of rap and academia together.
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.
From WA’s southwest to photographing stories around the world, Curtin Photography and Illustration graduate Tristan McKenzie has always followed his creative spark.
Raised by a family of painters, Tristan’s creativity was nurtured by his parents from a young age.
“They would drive me to town, do art exhibitions and put my art into shows when I was in primary school and even high school,” he shared.
Following his graduation, Tristan went backpacking for a couple of years, travelling throughout Asia, Europe and America.
On a bus leaving Ho Chi Minh City, a conversation with fellow travellers about photo editing apps ignited his passion for photography and storytelling.
“I realised that I can not only be creative on my computer at home, but I can be creative when travelling and when I’m out and about, and I didn’t realise that until that moment.
“It just totally changed the way I thought about my life and where I wanted to go.”
His advice for aspiring photographers? Put yourself in positions where you can grow.
“It took me ages to learn this, and I still am, but putting yourself in positions where you learn what you like and what you don’t is important.
“Making those mistakes will be worth it in the end because you’ll develop a style and you’ll develop a body of work that is truly you in the end,” he said.
Discover more of Tristan’s work here.
Photo carousel: John Dale (Gwoondwardu Mia) & Sheep (Textile Exchange), Dawson Burrowing Bees (Carnarvon Shire) & Heyscape Esperance and Cygnett Bay Pearl Farm.
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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.
