Young Alumna Award

Phoebe Thomas is an experienced Interior Designer who works for a commercial architectural practice. Phoebe loves mentoring and nurturing talent within her team, sharing knowledge and providing opportunities for growth and new experiences. Phoebe endeavours to foster a collaborative environment where people can all learn from each other.

Phoebe’s passions outside of work lie with Rotary, a global community service organisation that unites and takes action to create lasting change within our communities. Through Rotary, Phoebe has led a number of successful leadership and development youth programs, has been president of her Rotaract Club and has organised fundraisers which in total have raised over $150,000. The Rotary motto of “Service above Self” is one which Phoebe has aspired towards, and believes all individuals can change the world for the better.

• B. Design (Interior Design), QUT (2015)

Risa is a recent graduate and works at Seven News Brisbane as an Assistant News Producer.

During her degree, she undertook internships in event management, business and entrepreneurship, and was an intern in radio, print, digital and television newsrooms. She hopes to secure her dream job as a news reporter so she can share stories that matter with her community.

Risa’s commitment to community and volunteering began when she was 15 years of age. She wrote, illustrated and published a children’s picture book Benny Bilby’s Wish to raise funds and awareness for the Save the Bilby Fund. She distributed her book to Gold Coast, Ipswich and Charleville libraries, conducting more than 25 author talks at local schools, kindergartens, public libraries and literature festivals. She raised over $3,000 for the Save the Bilby Fund and volunteered at their events.

While studying, Risa enjoyed working with Women in Media Queensland as a volunteer at their national conference. She was fortunate to meet mentors who supported her pursuits in the journalism industry.

Currently, Risa volunteers with Red Frogs as a team leader, for university events and Schoolies, where she supports young people dealing with alcohol, drug, sexual abuse and mental health problems.

• B. Journalism / B. Business Management (Marketing), UQ (2021)

Georgina Hopson is one of Australia’s rising musical theatre stars. She is currently starring as Lorelai Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes at Sydney’s Hayes Theatre, a role made famous by Marilyn Monroe.

2022 saw Georgina playing the lead, Christine Daaé, in The Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour (Opera Australia), with Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber in attendance at the opening night performance. She also starred as Lina Lamont in Singin’ in the Rain at QPAC, Emma Carew in Jekyll and Hyde (Hayes Theatre), and performed as the alternate to Natalie Bassingthwaite in the lead role of MJ in Jagged Little Pill (GWB).

Georgina has received a number of awards including a 2021 Sydney Theatre Award nomination for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical, the 2019 Green Room Award for Best Performer in a Lead Role, the 2017 Rob Guest Endowment Award, and the 2015 Matilda Award for Best Emerging Artist.

• B. Music (Musical Theatre), Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University (2014)

Anna McDougall currently works for BHP as a fly-in fly-out Project Engineer, based at Saraji Mine in Central Queensland. In this role, she is responsible for managing and executing projects of various sizes and complexity as part of the civil and mining portfolio.

During her residency at The Women’s College, Anna discovered her interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) and that she wanted to pursue a career in the mining industry. The opportunities and co-curricular involvement led her to be recognised as part of UQ’s Class of 2015 Future Leader’s Program.

As she continues to navigate through her career journey, Anna has gained a deep appreciation for the value of mentorship and guidance, which she pays forward through her involvement in the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy Women in Mining and Resources (WIMARQ) Girls Mentoring Program. Over the past three years, Anna has been privileged to work with inspiring and curious young women who are interested in careers in the resource sector.

• B. Environmental Management (Hons), UQ (2015)
• M. Architectural Science, University of Sydney (2017)
• B. Engineering (Hons), UQ (2024)

Izzy Graham grew up on her family’s cattle property in Western Queensland and completed her schooling at Somerville House in Brisbane.

Izzy commenced her professional nursing career in 2016 at the Wesley Hospital in Brisbane, working predominantly in the Intensive Care Unit. Between 2020 and 2021, she completed her Graduate Diploma in Midwifery on the Central Coast of NSW.

In January, 2022 Izzy commenced her career aspiration – working for the Royal Flying Doctor Service at the Charleville Base in Queensland as a Flight Nurse (Midwifery) in the Aeromedical Retrieval service and Primary Health Care service.

In October of 2024, Izzy took on the role of Nurse Education Officer – Aeromedical for the Charleville Base. During 2023 and 2024, Izzy was also a committee member of the Channel Country Ladies Day, an event for rural and remote women of Queensland, creating inspiration in isolation.

• B. Nursing, QUT (2015)
• Grad Cert. Critical Care, University of Tasmania (2019)
• Grad Dip. Midwifery, Charles Sturt University (2021)

Bronte Langbroek grew up on the Gold Coast before moving to Brisbane and studying business management. Drawn to storytelling and entertainment from a young age, she launched her media career in 2012 at Nova 106.9 – an experience that sparked the beginning of a vibrant and varied journey across the Australian broadcasting landscape. Over the following decade, Bronte built a dynamic career in Australian radio, progressing through roles in promotions, sales, producing, and eventually becoming a full-time announcer. Bronte has worked with major networks including Southern Cross Austereo, the Australian Radio Network, Nova Entertainment and Grant Broadcasters, hosting both drive and breakfast shows across Queensland, NSW, Victoria and the ACT.

Since 2022, Bronte has co-hosted the Hit Queensland Breakfast Show, bringing an energetic, fresh and engaging voice to listeners across the state. With a deep love of pop culture, sport and connecting with audiences, Bronte continues to craft a vibrant and authentic presence in the world of radio and presenting.

• B. Business Management, UQ (2015)