The University of South Australia is well known for being the leading institute in higher education, offering great programs and opportunities to students, and for having some South Australia’s most stunning architecture. But did you know that UniSA had some famous graduates? Check out these 15 famous alumni from the University of South Australia.
Guy Sebastian is one of the most famous and successful musicians in Australia. He rose to fame after winning the first season of Australian Idol in 2003 and since then, has released eight chart-topping albums, represented Australia at Eurovision 2015, and is currently a judge on the popular talent show X Factor Australia. In his early career, Guy Sebastian studied Medical Radiation at UniSA, but left to pursue music.
Penny Wong is an Australian politician. Throughout her career she has held positions, such as Minister for Climate Change and Water (Energy Efficiency added to title in 2010), Minister for Finance and Deregulation and Leader of the Government in the Senate (until 2013). She currently holds the title of Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. Wong completed a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at UniSA.
Rohan Dennis is a professional racing cyclist who rides for the BMC Racing Team (UCI World Team). He has competed in the 2012 Olympic Games, the Tour de France, the Commonwealth Games Time Trial, and much more. Rohan competed in UniSA’s cycling team until 2012.
Poh Ling Yeow is an Australian artist and actress, most known for being the runner-up winner in the first season of MasterChef Australia. Since her time on MasterChef, she has produced a number of her own cooking series on SBS One and the ABC network. Poh completed a Bachelor of Design at UniSA; pursuing design and art, and a bit of acting after her degree before her cooking debut.
Steven Marshall is another well-known Australian politician. He currently is the South Australian Leader of the Opposition for the Liberal party. Previous titles he has held in his career include candidate for the South Australian Division of the Liberal Party of Australia as the seat of Dunstan and Deputy Leader of the Opposition. He pursued and completed a business degree at UniSA.
Jane Crafter is an Australian-American (dual citizenship) golfer and broadcaster for ESPN. She has competed at the LPGA tour in the final qualifying tournament, SAFECO Classic, Rail Charity Golf Classic, LPGA Corning Classic, S & H Golf Classic, USX Golf Classic, and much more. She won her first LGPA tournament in 1990.
Kelly Nestor is a news presenter/journalist best known for her work on Channel Nine and ABC. Over the course of her career, Nestor has done broadcast work across commercial and ABC television, has worked on commercial radio, and recently, performed live webcasts for Rupert Murdoch’s New Limited online. Nestor completed a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) in 1989 at UniSA. If you’re in journalism, this is one famous alumni from The University of South Australia you should be inspired by!
Jessica Trengove is an Australian athlete known for competing in sprints and marathon events. Her highest achievement was being selected to represent Australia in the marathon event at both the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Trengove completed a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at UniSA in 2009.
Frank Jeffrey Edson Smart (Jeff Smart) was renowned for his work as an artist and draughtsman. He also worked as an Art teacher for many years and as an Art critic for the Daily Telegraph from 1952 – 1954. Smart first graduated from the South Australian School of Art and Crafts (now UniSA’s School of Art, Architecture and Design). He received an honorary doctorate from UniSA in 2011. In 2014, UniSA decided to name their new building the ‘Jeffrey Smart building’ to honour his life and contribution to art.
Stephen Yarwood was the Lord Mayor of the City of Adelaide from 2010 – 2014. Yarwood achieved many great things while in office, but the greatest achievement he holds is the record for being the youngest Lord Mayor in Adelaide history; he was 39 years old when he was elected into office. He graduated from UniSA with a Bachelor of Arts (Planning) degree in 1993.
Christopher Pyne is another well-known Australian politician. Over the course of his career, he has held titles, such as Leader of the House, Minister for Education (renamed in 2014), Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science and Minister for Defence Industry. He currently holds the title for the House of Representatives seat of Sturt and Minister for Defence Industry. Pyne completed a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at UniSA.
Sally Sara is a journalist and TV Presenter, most known for her role as war correspondent for ABC. Her greatest achievements as a journalist include being the first woman to be ABC’s African correspondent and receiving the Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship award. She was also ABC’s South Asian Correspondent in 2008. Sara completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication at UniSA.
Mark Parnell is another well-known Australian politician. He is the parliamentary leader of the SA Greens party in the South Australian Legislative Council. Parnell was a founding member of the SA Greens party, which is why it was no surprise that he was first SA Greens representative to be elected in 2006. He completed his Master of Regional and Urban Planning at UniSA.
Sarah Cumming is an Australian journalist, acting as a reporter and presenter for Channel Seven News. Along working for Seven News, Sara has also previously worked as a Saturday news presenter on Weekend Sunrise, a weather reporter on Seven News Sydney and as a fill-in presenter on The Morning Show, The Daily Edition and Weekend Sunrise. She has also done work in broadcast radio at Southern Cross Ten and Nova 91.9. Cumming completed a journalism degree, with a major in international relations, at UniSA.
Katrina Webb is a Paralympic athlete with cerebral palsy. As her parents didn’t inform her of this disability, it was only after she won a netball scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport and staff re-diagnosed her that she found out and decided to become involved in disability sport. Her greatest sporting achievements include winning Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in athletics across three Paralympic Games. Webb completed a physiotherapy degree at UniSA. One of the most inspiring and famous alumni from The University of South Australia!
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