Alumni class notes

There’s something special about friendships forged in the halls of Fisher College. More than sixty years on, a group of former residents who first shared life at the College in 1964 gathered in Canberra for an informal catch‑up, continuing a tradition of staying connected long after their student days.

The gathering brought together:

• Emeritus Professor John O’Callaghan AM, BE(Hons) 1965
• Patrick Gourley, BEc 1965, BEc(Hons) 1966, Mec 1970
• Dr John Donnelly, MAgrSc 1977
• Dr Damian Bugg AM KC, LLB 1969
• Paul Kelly, BSc 1969

This reunion is a warm reminder of the enduring bonds formed at Fisher College - connections that have spanned careers, families, and decades, yet remain as strong as ever.

Dr Riley Brice

Dip Ed 1965

After graduating from the University of Tasmania in 1965, Riley and his wife Heather (BA 1965) relocated to the United States. He completed a Ph.D. at Cornell University in 1971 and subsequently joined the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he taught until his retirement in 2005. That same year, he participated in the Semester-at-Sea program, teaching during a 100-day global voyage with 700 students.

He currently holds the title of Professor Emeritus of Geology and Planetary Sciences. In 2024, he co-authored a publication with Silvia S. F. de Figueiroa (Brazil) titled Cornell's First Geologist: Charles Frederick Hartt, Explorer Geologist in North and South America.

Ariel Salleh

BA 1966, BA (Hons) 1968

Ariel Salleh is an Australian scholar-activist whose interests are Global Social Movements, Technology Critique, Ecofeminism, Decoloniality, EcoSocialism. Her latest book is DeColonize EcoModernism! London: Bloomsbury, 2024 - first in a trilogy - The Androcene and its Others.

Appointed Visiting Professor, Instituto de Humanidades, Artes e Ciências, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Brazil for 2025-26; formerly Distinguished Visiting Scholar, Queen Mary University of London, 2023; Foundation Member of the Global University for Sustainability, Hong Kong; Visiting Professor in Humanities, Nelson Mandela University; Honorary Associate in Political Economy, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Sydney; and Senior Fellow in Post-Growth Societies, Sociology Dept., Friedrich Schiller University Jena. She taught in Social Ecology at the University of Western Sydney for a number of years; and has lectured widely including NYU, ICS Manila, York University Toronto, Lund, Ljubljana, and Peking University.

Dr Salleh's sociology of knowledge is seminal to the study of Humanity-Nature relations. The approach - an embodied materialism - focuses on the role of reproductive or regenerative labour in the world system. By relocating value in local, everyday, care giving labour skills, peasant and Indigenous knowledges, Salleh reconsiders conventional approaches to social justice and sustainability questions. Her writing is transdisciplinary and integrates the discourses of political ecology in a way that is designed to encourage social movement transversalism. The work draws on practical experience in anti-nuclear politics, water catchments, biodiversity protection, and support for Asia-Pacific women's community alternatives. Salleh has been a governor of the International Sociological Association Research Committee for Environment and Society and a member of the Australian Federal Government's Gene Technology Ethics Committee. She serves on several editorial boards and is a founding editor of the US journal Capitalism Nature Socialism.

Emeritus Professor Roger Byard AC PSM

BMedSc 1975, MBBS 1978, DSc 2020

Emeritus Professor Roger Byard AC PSM has been awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent service to medicine, forensic pathology, tertiary education, and the broader community.

Professor Byard is internationally recognised for his pioneering work in forensic pathology, particularly in the field of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). He has served as a leading academic and researcher at the University of Adelaide, where he holds the title of Emeritus Professor in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. His career spans decades of impactful research, teaching, and public service, including contributions to legal investigations and public health policy.

The Companion of the Order of Australia is the nation’s highest civilian honour, and Professor Byard’s recognition in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours reflects his profound influence on medical science and his dedication to advancing knowledge and justice through forensic expertise.

Grace Tan

BBus 1999

After earning a Bachelor of Business, Grace pursued a Master of Business Administration with a major in Management at Charles Sturt University. She began her career in an international bank as a Personal Banker and was subsequently promoted to the role of Trainer. Her professional journey then transitioned into human resources, where she served as an HR Consultant and later as a Senior HR Manager. Following many years in the corporate sector, Grace advanced into top management roles before moving into academia as a university lecturer.

Her time in higher education eventually led to the establishment of her own enterprise, Gemini Translation and Training Services - a name inspired by her zodiac sign. Grace is an accredited trainer, certified translator, and certified interpreter. She delivers corporate training both locally and internationally, translates legal documents for numerous law firms, and provides interpretation services for criminal and civil court proceedings, as well as for international and governmental conferences, particularly those involving the Chinese and Malaysian governments.

Grace remains deeply passionate about teaching and training and continues to contribute to global dialogue through her translation and interpretation work. She lives with her mother, whom she cares for attentively, and stays actively engaged with the alumni community through social media and alumni communications.

Frances Yng Ng

BComp 2002

After graduating in 2002, Frances returned home to Singapore and worked as an IT Consultant for more than 8 years before making a career switch to training and Volunteer Management for the past 13 years. Frances was appointed as Volunteer Management Champion by National Council of Social Services since August 2022.

Mark Paplin

BCom 2004

Mark grew up in Hobart and studied at the University of Tasmania. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in 2004. Post-graduation like many young Tasmanians, Mark decided to move interstate and overseas to pursue work and travel opportunities.  He went on to hold senior positions in People and Culture with some of the world’s leading professional services, finance and energy companies. These positions included Business Manager at Hays Specialist Recruitment in London and Sydney, Talent Manager at Westpac Group in Sydney and Specialist Consultant – Employee Development and Inclusion at Origin Energy in Melbourne.

These roles gave him the opportunity to work across the United Kingdom, Europe and the Asia Pacific, and view different approaches to leading recruitment operations, developing and delivering strategic talent acquisition initiatives and inclusive talent pathway programs, as well as designing people-centred workforce strategies and polices. Mark also completed a Master of Business Administration specialising in Human Resource Management at Deakin University in 2021.

Mark relocated to Tasmania in 2022 and now lives in Hobart with his wife Claire and their two young children Madeline and Sophie. Mark currently works for the Department of Premier and Cabinet where he leads workplace inclusion and early careers (youth employment) strategy for the Tasmanian State Service.

Ben Stokes

BNurs 2005

Ben Stokes has taken his Tasmanian roots and entrepreneurial spirit all the way to Washington D.C., where he was recently featured in the newly opened Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream. Drawing on his own journey of authenticity and identity, Ben founded Chasing Rainbows - an early-stage venture fund dedicated to investing in LGBTQ+ founded companies. His investment thesis celebrates the strength, resilience, and innovation often found within the LGBTQ+ community.

The Milken Center, a global beacon for opportunity and inclusion, honours individuals like Ben who are shaping a more equitable future. His work is a powerful example of how lived experience and bold vision can drive meaningful change.

Dr Rhea Longley

BMedRes 2008, BMedRes(Hons) 2009

Dr Rhea Longley was honoured with a 2025 AIPS Young Tall Poppy Science Award for her groundbreaking work in malaria research and global health.

Dr Longley leads the Infection & Global Health Laboratory at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), where she focuses on addressing the persistent challenge of malaria in countries nearing elimination. Her research investigates immune responses to infectious diseases, particularly malaria, and aims to develop tools that can detect hidden liver-stage parasites responsible for relapses - a major hurdle in eradication efforts.

One of her key contributions involves the development of serological markers to identify individuals recently exposed to malaria and at risk of relapse. This approach has the potential to transform disease surveillance, improve treatment targeting, and accelerate elimination strategies in endemic regions.

Dr Longley’s work is deeply collaborative, relying on equitable partnerships with scientists in malaria-affected countries across the Asia-Pacific. Her recognition as a Young Tall Poppy highlights not only her scientific excellence but also her commitment to public engagement and global health equity.

Glenn Wolter

DipFamHist 2019, MBA(I) 2021

Glenn Wolter is a retired Engineer and Project Manager based in Somerville, Victoria, with a career spanning diverse infrastructure projects across Australia, Tasmania, and internationally, including work in Afghanistan. A graduate of the University of Tasmania, Glenn credits his studies- completed off-campus during the COVID-19 pandemic - with enhancing his professional confidence and communication skills.

Now focused on family life with his wife and two sons, he remains a proud UTAS alumnus and holds deep affection for Tasmania, where he spent some of his most fulfilling years.

Kevin Ding

MITS 2021

Since graduating from the University of Tasmania, Kevin has focused on a career in digital transformation and technology innovation. He founded a company that partners with Tasmanian enterprises to advance digital skills, artificial intelligence, and 3D technology. In addition to his professional pursuits, he remains actively engaged in the community through volunteer work and digital inclusion initiatives that support migrants and seniors in building confidence with technology.

Beyond his career, Kevin enjoys exploring Tasmania’s natural landscapes, staying physically active, and keeping pace with emerging technologies. He maintains strong ties with the University alumni community by attending events, collaborating with university faculties, and mentoring students whenever possible.

Caitlyn Socwell

DipSustLiv 2022

Caitlyn is a sustainability strategist and educator dedicated to advancing circular economy principles and digital inclusion. She is a co-host of Millennials Gone Circular, a podcast by The Waste Not Spot, where she engages with global changemakers to explore practical pathways to circularity. Caitlyn also contributes to Sustainability Education for Europe (SEFE), a pan-European initiative focused on integrating climate and environmental education into primary and secondary schools.

Her work spans storytelling, systems change, and stakeholder engagement, with a strong emphasis on empowering communities through accessible, forward-thinking solutions. Caitlyn’s commitment to sustainability is matched by her enthusiasm for international dialogue and inclusive innovation.

Joyce Soh

UGCertAppDes 2024

Joyce continues to work in the public sector while also serving as the founder of the Lupus Foundation Australasia. The organisation is dedicated to advocating for individuals living with lupus and supporting research efforts aimed at finding a cure. Although still in its early stages, the Foundation is actively growing and welcomes volunteers who share its mission and values.

Evette Campbell  and Jennina Porter Boer (L-R)

DipFamilyHist 2025

On 5 May 2025, Evette Campbell and Jennina Porter Boer graduated in Sydney with their Diploma in Family History - exactly 50 years after they first graduated together as registered nurses. Inspired by Evette’s passion for genealogy, they both enrolled in the course in 2023.

Evette undertook the two-year diploma despite a courageous battle with ovarian cancer, which returned during her studies. She completed the course with determination and graduated in May. Sadly, Evette passed away shortly after. Her love of family history was beautifully honoured at her funeral, with a family tree and maternal lineage displayed on her coffin.