News: alumni

Peter Anderson: invaluable lessons learned during a successful career

Motivated by positive reinforcement from his Honours supervisor at the University of Adelaide, Peter Anderson, a “less-than-confident law student from Adelaide’s working class” applied his dedication and work ethic to a 41-year career, achieving great success. Recently retiring from his position as Deputy President of the Fair Work Commission, Peter wrapped up an outstanding career that began at the University in the late 1970s.

Dr Helen McLean AM: Orthodontist, educator and mentor

Dr Helen McLean AM, President Adelaide Orthodontic Alumni Network

Dr Helen McLean AM is an Orthodontist who has dedicated her career to teaching and mentoring students and postgraduates since 1979. In 2020, she was recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). Helen continues to contribute to multiple professional organisations and community outreach dental projects in Australia and internationally.

The FJ and the footbridge - alumni pranksters "pardoned" by Lord Mayor

They’ve been “on the run” since 1971 after they were accomplices to the dumping of an FJ Holden into the River Torrens. But in April 2025, they had to face the music, confessing to their “crime” to Adelaide Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith.

Nikki Lohitnavy: award-winning tropical winemaker

A portrait of Nikki in front of wine barrels, holding a glass of red wine

Nikki (Visootha) Lohitnavy is an oenologist who has overseen winemaking at GranMonte Co. in Thailand for seventeen years. With her significant experience in tropical viticulture and wine making, alongside new winemaking innovations and techniques that she adapted, the company has led the way for wine tourism in Thailand and amassed more than 100 awards from international wine competitions.

Dr Rachel Spencer: lawyer, writer, life-long learner

A portrait of Rachel smiling widely in front of a huge book case

Dr Rachel Spencer is an independent consultant as well as a writer, editor, academic, and speaker. An avid reader, Rachel also works part-time at Mostly Books, where she hosts a monthly "Law and Literature" book club. She is also the President of the Friends of the Library. She holds an impressive collection of tertiary qualifications, including a Bachelor of Arts (1985), Bachelor of Laws (1986) and a Master of Laws (1994) from the University of Adelaide.

How mentoring changes lives

Mentoring has benefits that extend far beyond professional development for mentees, as mentor Xinyu Dai explains. Hear both sides of the story from an experienced mentor and a recent mentee in the University's Career Access Mentoring Program.

The romantic legacy of the 1970 University Computer Ball

Black and white photo of Clinton and Maureen in their Ball attire, 1970

Posted on Feb 7 2025 by Claire Bowman

At the University of Adelaide in 1969, a program authored by two students was employed to match up nearly 1000 people with their ideal counterpart for the University’s first AUScA ‘Computer Ball’. Five decades later, the legacy of that night still lives on for at least one couple ... and perhaps many more!

Emeritus Professor Derek Frewin AO

Emeritus Professor Derek Frewin AO is a former Senior Consultant Physician at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and former Dean of Medicine and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Adelaide, as well as a respected pharmacology educator, mentor, researcher and academic leader.

Dr P Raymond Begg AO

Dr P Raymond Begg AO was an Orthodontic pioneer and Australia’s most celebrated dentist. He opened the first orthodontic practice in Adelaide and joined the University of Adelaide as the first lecturer in orthodontics. The P R Begg Museum was officially opened in 2022 to celebrate his work, which revolutionized orthodontic diagnosis and treatment with a new technique for straightening teeth.

Gail Kovatseff: Head of Programming & Industry at Adelaide Film Festival

Gail at Cannes Film Festival in France 2022

Posted on Oct 16 2023 by

Gail Kovatseff is the Head of Programming & Industry at the Adelaide Film Festival, South Australia’s premier screen event. To celebrate AFF 2023, she speaks about entering the industry, the importance of accessibility, and her personal picks for the top titles from this year's program.