Curiosity Marnie’s cup of tea

From a young age, Dr Marnie Gibson and Global Director for People at T2 was curious about the world around her.

This International Women’s Day, the highly professional HR and engagement leader is encouraging young girls to continue asking questions, embrace leadership roles and know their worth.

Expert puts the fun in finance

From 17, Ligwina Hananto took an interest in finance, helping her grandmother manage the household bills.

Fast forward to 2024, and the Curtin finance and marketing graduate is a global financial trainer, business leader and stand-up comedian.

Writer to advocate for most vulnerable

Just days from graduating with a Master of Arts in publishing writing, Amer Saleh reflects on the sacrifices her parents made to give her a better life.

Born to immigrant parents, the 24-year-old hopes to use her writing to give the world’s most vulnerable a voice and to work for an organisation that advocates for something bigger than herself.

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Welcome to Curtin Commons

“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

Articles

Curtin graduate Dr Marnie Gibson

Curiosity Marnie’s cup of tea

From a young age, Dr Marnie Gibson and Global Director for People at T2 was curious about the world around her. This International Women’s Day, the highly professional HR and engagement leader is encouraging young girls to continue asking questions, embrace leadership roles and know their worth.

Expert puts the fun in finance

Expert puts the fun in finance

From 17, Ligwina Hananto took an interest in finance, helping her grandmother manage the household bills. Fast forward to 2024, and the Curtin finance and marketing graduate is a global financial trainer, business leader and stand-up comedian.

Writer to advocate for most vulnerable

Writer to advocate for most vulnerable

Just days from graduating with a Master of Arts in publishing writing, Amer Saleh reflects on the sacrifices her parents made to give her a better life. Born to immigrant parents, the 24-year-old hopes to use her writing to give the world’s most vulnerable a voice and to work for an organisation that advocates for something bigger than herself.

Allan Jones at Perth Children's Hospital Pharmacy

WA pharmacist hailed health hero

At 81-years of age, Perth Children’s Hospital pharmacist Allan Jones is showing no signs of slowing down. A warm and friendly face to all those who visit the hospital, Allan was recently recognised as a health hero at the WA Health Excellence Awards for his 55 years of service.

Isaiah Attkins at Curtin graduation

Expert puts the fun in finance

Despite being told by his high school teachers that he would never make it as a doctor, Isaiah Attkins never gave up hope. This year the Curtin Medical graduate finishes his internship at Fiona Stanley Hospital and has his eyes set on becoming a surgeon one day.

Curtin graduate and Australian filmmaker Zak Hilditch

Girrawheen film buff now esteemed director

Despite feeling like Hollywood was a million miles away, Curtin Film and TV graduate Zak Hilditch chose to back himself and work hard. Now, the Australian director and writer is doing what he loves and has valuable advice to those wanting to follow in his footsteps.

Family time best medicine for premature babies

Family time best medicine for premature babies

When Joanne and Scott Beedie lost one of their twin boys at 21 weeks gestation their world came crashing down.
Six weeks later, their surviving twin was born 13 weeks premature, weighing just 940g. Despite the difficult road ahead, the couple turned their grief to gratitude launching the charity, Helping Little Hands.

Georgia Tree and Grant Tree standing together

Unlikely tale leads to prestigious writing award

In 2020, the Creative Writing graduate put pen to paper and wrote about her dad’s tumultuous life as a heroin addict and drug trafficker in her book, Old Boy.

josh-redmond

Mining boss shares top tips for success

WA School of Mines’ graduate and Harvard Business alumnus Josh Redmond opens up on the triumphs over his 15-year career in the resources industry.

Empowering young minds to be mental health heroes

Empowering young minds to be mental health heroes

Commerce graduate and Founder of zero2hero said the tragedy of losing her step father to suicide ripped her family apart and left her on a quest to help others.

Louise and Hamish Quekett

Stuttering Clinic helps kids with speech disorders

School-aged children in WA with a stutter are the focus of new research being carried out in conjunction with the Curtin University Stuttering Treatment Clinic.

Curtin graduate and Masterchef contestant Ralph Kahango

Life lessons learned in Masterchef kitchen

After experiencing a family tragedy a few years ago, accounting graduate Ralph Kahango decided to steer the course of his career and follow his true passion.

Creative Spotlight

For Creative Spotlight, Curtin Creative Arts student Leila Simpson has created a pink pretzel rug for the Founder of Pretzel Australia, Brittany Garbutt.

Presented to Curtin graduate Brittany at the first Curtin Young Alumni event of the year, Leila was honoured to gift her bespoke creation to the pretzel Queen.

“It was exciting to be asked to create the rug for Brittany because her story and success in her career are so telling of where hard work and dedication can take you, so I feel very honoured,” Leila said.

Leila’s intricate textile practice is rooted in autobiography and introspective reflection, influenced by her years in painting practice. Her work binds the link between materiality and ideology, dissecting the role of women in sex and relationships using figurative, large-scale tufted rugs.

“I think the reason why people engage with my work is not necessarily because it has a message or a meaning as such, but because they’re able to view the irregular and the normal,” Leila said.

Carousel photos L-R: Leila with the bespoke pink pretzel rug created for Pretzel Australia Founder Brittany Garbutt, Leila creating the pink pretzel rug, ‘My sister’s redhead best friend’ (2023) & ‘Permanent Observer’ (2023) pictured together, acrylic and wool yarn on rug backing and ‘You shouldn’t look’ (2023) & ‘Bar1 II’ (2023), acrylic and wool yarn on rug backing. Courtesy of the artist. Photo credit L-R: Curtin University, Dan McCabe.

Leila’s work ‘Permanent Observer’ (2023) is available for purchase. For more information on how to make a purchase please email leilasimpson29@gmail.com.

Leila will also be involved in the group art show titled ‘Sardines’ at the Bellevue Art Space from March 22 – 24. Find out more here.

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‘The Branching Future’ – a digitally-drawn illustration by Curtin student Nina Dakin for Curtin Commons.

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.

‘The Branching Future’ – a digitally-drawn illustration by Curtin student Nina Dakin for Curtin Commons.

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‘The Branching Future’ – a digitally-drawn illustration by Curtin student Nina Dakin for Curtin Commons.

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