News: alumni profiles
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.
[Read more about Peter Anderson: invaluable lessons learned during a successful career]
Dr Helen McLean AM: Orthodontist, educator and mentor
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.
[Read more about Dr Helen McLean AM: Orthodontist, educator and mentor]
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.
[Read more about The FJ and the footbridge - alumni pranksters "pardoned" by Lord Mayor]
Nikki Lohitnavy: award-winning tropical winemaker
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.
[Read more about Nikki Lohitnavy: award-winning tropical winemaker]
Dr Rachel Spencer: lawyer, writer, life-long learner
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.
[Read more about Dr Rachel Spencer: lawyer, writer, life-long learner]
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
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!
[Read more about The romantic legacy of the 1970 University Computer Ball]
Li Tu
Li Tu is a professional tennis player and Bachelor of Commerce graduate whose unusual career path has taught him the value of hard work, reliability, focusing on what's truly important, and having a great team by your side.
Dr Ross Williams and Andrew Hensel jumped out of a plane for O-Week 1986
“We Could Die!” announced the posters that two students plastered across the North Terrace Campus during O-Week 1986. Beneath this provocative heading, they printed a picture of a human figure under a parachute with the strings cut. The dramatic posters drew quite the crowd to the University oval to witness a “demonstration jump”...
[Read more about Dr Ross Williams and Andrew Hensel jumped out of a plane for O-Week 1986]
Kim Sparks
Kim Sparks is currently the Quality Manager at Udder Delights Australia, where she ensures the company’s products meet quality standards and customer expectations. She takes pride in having worked with iconic brands that feature in many people’s fridges and pantries.
