We create leaders

Many of our graduates have gone on to become inspirational leaders who have made a positive difference in Australia and around the world.

From the corridors of power in Canberra to championing Aboriginal Australians’ rights, a star turn in Hollywood, to improving our understanding of human illness, painting a masterpiece and even Olympic Games greatness, our alumni transform lives.

Read about: Geraldine Brooks, Noel Pearson, Chris Brown, Adam Ridgeway, Besa Deda, Glenn Stevens, Gustav Nossal, Ben Quilty, Charles Perkins, Romilly Madew, John Bradfield, Berrick Barnes, Clover Moore, Adam Spencer, John Bell, Edmund Barton, John Cornforth, members of The Chaser, Malcolm Turnbull.

"It opens you up to ideas," says Geraldine Brooks of university study.

Geraldine Brooks (BA 1979, Hon LLD 2007) has always told other people’s stories, whether as a highly respected journalist or a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist. Studying Arts at the University of Sydney was a transformative part of her own story. “It opens you up to ideas, and gives you an essential toolbox for an ongoing intellectual journey,” she says.

Indigenous leader Noel Pearson (BA 1987, LLB 1993) completed a history and a law degree at the University, a perfect study path for a man who would go on to be one of the foremost activists for Aboriginal Australian rights, especially land rights. He was heavily involved in negotiations over the Native Title Act 1993, one of the most important Indigenous milestones in Australia’s history.

Chris Brown (B VSc 2001), now better known as the ‘Bondi Vet’, lived in student accommodation at Nepean Lodge while he studied in the Faculty of Veterinary Science. The death of his dog convinced him to become a vet: “It showed me that I not only cared immensely for [animals] but that I was also fascinated by how they work and how to keep them healthy.”

Adam Ridgeway (BVA 2008) studied Visual Arts here, graduating with honours, and is an Indigenous ceramicist based in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. He was supported during his studies under the Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS), and says tutoring helps “people who want to achieve and perform at a higher level”. In 2009 he designed the 'Sea of Hands' installation for Reconciliation Week at the University.

“I can't imagine doing anything else,” says Besa Deda (BEc 1996), one of the youngest chief economists at St George Bank. As a child she always watched the Federal Budget with her dad, so perhaps it was a foregone conclusion that she’d study economics at the University.

Every day, Glenn Stevens (BEc 1980) makes decisions that affect Australians’ spending and savings. His degree in economics gave him a grounding in the skills he needs to be Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia. “It was an enormous privilege to attend the University of Sydney,” he says, “and to have encountered some remarkable teachers.”

Sir Gustav Nossal (BSc 1953, MBBS 1954, Hon DSc 1985) is a world-renowned science researcher and commentator who heavily influenced our modern understanding of how the immune system works with his clarification of cell capacity in antibody formation (Burnet’s theory).

"Someone changed my life every week." Artist Ben Quilty reflects on his university days.

Artist Ben Quilty (BVA 1994) captures both his subject and audience with his painting, having learned new techniques and skills during his time at the Sydney College of the Arts, where he says, “Someone changed my life every week.” In 2011 he won the Archibald Prize for his portrait of artist Margaret Olley.

Charles Perkins (BA 1965) was the first Aboriginal Australian to graduate from an Australian university, completing a Bachelor of Arts here in 1965. It was a time of “very exciting people with great intellect at the university”, he said. His passion and tenacity led to his participation in the Freedom Ride, a national protest against racial discrimination in Australia.

Romilly Madew (BAgrEc 1990) is the CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia, a group that encourages the building industry to adopt green building practices. She studied agricultural economics at the University and her decision to base her thesis on a cost analysis of Landcare ignited her interest in sustainability. It also helped to lead her to her current role working with environmental activists such as Al Gore.

John Bradfield (BE 1889, ME 1896, DSc 1924) studied engineering as an undergraduate and postgraduate student at the University of Sydney. He applied his learning to the design and building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge – one of Australia’s best-known landmarks – and traversed by hundreds of thousands of people every day.

John Bradfield (right) on the partially completed Harbour Bridge with then Chancellor of the University Sir William Cullen and Sir William's daughter.

Thanks to the ease of combining his study and sport here, Berrick Barnes is able to play for the NSW Waratahs and nationally for the Wallabies and study commerce. He says: “The athlete programs at Sydney Uni are fantastic … About 10 guys from the Tahs [Waratahs] are studying at Sydney University this year.”

Clover Moore studied Arts and Education at the University, giving her skills that transfer into her work as a member of NSW Parliament and the Lord Mayor of Sydney. Moore donates 100 per cent of her mayoral fees to charitable community ventures within the City of Sydney and is well known for her work to make Sydney’s streets greener.

Adam Spencer made a global name for himself as a top-ranked debater while studying here. “The greatest moments at uni were debating at three world championships (Glasgow, Cork and Dublin) and on the theatresports stage at Manning Bar in front of 700 students,” he says. He puts those skills to good use as a radio presenter, comedian and media personality.

As an undergraduate, John Bell (BA 1962, Hon LLD 1996) was heavily involved in the Drama Society at the University, and this inspired him to pursue a career in the dramatic arts and begin the renowned Bell Shakespeare theatre company. “Sydney University gave me a lot of encouragement and self-confidence,” he says. His work has influenced two generations of Australians to take an active interest in the dramatic arts.