Nearly 20 years on from graduating from the University of Southern Queensland, Eve Fraser said she could never have imagined being named the 2020 USQ Alumnus of the Year.
“There wasn’t a moment when I thought I would actually win, but this award made me step up and personally acknowledge what I have achieved,” Ms Fraser said.
“USQ had already given me so much in my education but this award took me to another level, and I am now happy to share that for the world to see and hear.”
A 2002 Bachelor of Business graduate, Eve started her swim school and training business Oz Swim Aquatics, which is now recognised as an international success, and for more than a decade has run the Global Aquatic Project in an effort to ensure children in developing countries learn to swim.
Eve Fraser
“The Awards process has connected me to a wonderful community of fellow alumni that has helped me professionally,” Eve said.
“Who would have thought that whilst working on an aquatic program in Uganda the idea of building bores would lead me back to one of the other USQ award recipients Guillermo Capati; or working with Rotary on a library in PNG would lead me back to Scott Young from Young Guns Container Crew also a USQ alumnus.
“Being named Alumnus of the Year also thrust me into a round of public speaking engagements that took me out of my comfort zone, but I was able to connect with people and share my journey to shine a light on the potential and possibilities in their world which has been truly inspiring for me.”
Nominations for the USQ Alumnus of the Year Awards are open now and close on Friday 2 July 2021. The Awards formally recognise outstanding USQ alumni for their achievements within their professional and personal lives, and for being an inspiration to their fellow alumni, current students, and community.
Anyone who has received a formal qualification from USQ or any of our predecessor institutions is eligible to be nominated, however no self-nominations are accepted. The nomination pack and further information can be found here.
For any further information, please contact us at alumni@unisq.edu.au.