Class Notes 1986–1990

After living four houses apart in Roseville, NSW, then living at Burgmann College at the same time and studying the same Japanese course, Simone and Geoff recently ended up running into each other in Japan before flying back on the same plane. This shows that no matter where in the world you are, you can always find a fellow Burgie!

After her Burgmann College years, Challis went on to complete a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons 1A) at UNSW, then moved to the UK to complete a Masters in Heritage Conservation. Now based in Sydney, Challis currently runs her own architecture practice specialising in adaptive re-use projects and is a mum to twin daughters in Year 7.

Karen worked as a lawyer in Canberra from 1995-2003. She married fellow alumnus Andrew Hughes in 1996 and had four children: Annabelle, Ethan, Grace and Lily. Karen then quit Law to write the Kalika Magic series (see kalikamagic.com) and founded Hunter Valley Writers in 2019, providing workshops for aspiring young writers. Karen now lives in Newcastle, where she is completing her PhD in English Literature at the University of Newcastle.

Dr Emma Leslie has lived in Cambodia the past 25 years and became a Cambodian citizen 5 years ago. She has worked across the Asia region on peace processes and mediation.

Tory has held senior management and creative positions and developed new initiatives to build audiences in the arts and the creative industries for over 30 years. In that time, she has worked for a number of leading arts and media organisations such as the Sydney Opera House, The Guardian newspaper, the Australia Council for the Arts, Bangarra Dance Theatre, CarriageWorks, Bell Shakespeare Company, and Sydney Dance Company. After many years of creating and curating Festivals and Programs, Tory is currently the Ideas Curator for VIVID Sydney.

Jens completed a PhD in Natural Sciences at the University of Aarhus in Denmark, before going on to do postdoctoral research in California. This was followed by employment in the pharma and tech industries in Stockholm and Copenhagen.

Updated Summer 2025

Since leaving Burgmann and completing my university studies, I have worked mainly in the APS in various roles, including senior roles in Health, Finance and Prime Minister and Cabinet. I am currently the CEO of the newly established Parliamentary Workplace Support Service. I am married and have two lovely teenagers who are getting to the end of their schooling.

Updated June 2025

Mark has had an interdisciplinary academic career at the ANU (teaching students like former Burgmann Principal Sally Renouf [2010–2024] and her partner, Brodie Buckland [2010–2024]) and at Charles Sturt University [CSU] in Criminal Law and Psychology, as well as in Counter-Terrorism Law, Policy Research, and Military Discipline Law. PhD and Honours supervision and many administrative roles, including just finishing up as Director of the Centre for Law and Justice at Charles Sturt. He has completed much work with the Council of Australian Law Deans, including co-chairing the First People's Partnership (with Prof Asmi Wood as a member) bringing together First Nations legal academics as well as Law Deans.

He moved back to Port Macquarie in June 2024 with his partner Greg to be close to his elderly Mum and to enjoy being back to where he grew up in Kempsey (which he says is warmer than Canberra and Bathurst).

He said he had many interactions with Wiradyuri Elders in Bathurst and Birpai Elders in Port Macquarie in work roles via CSU.

The highlights of his time at Burgmann include connecting with others from rural and regional Australia and having fun, as well as playing sport and keeping academic progress a priority. He has now seen Peter Garrett twice at Burgmann birthday events. The first time was when Peter and others spoke at a Burgmann birthday event, and Mark was doing vacation WOBCO, and a new band called Yothu Yindi—unheard of down south then—was playing at the ANU Bar!

Former Burgmann Principal Bob Northey became General Manager for the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Music from 1995 to 2011, before retiring in 2012 and writing two novels. Read about Bob's recent visit to Burgmann.

After graduating, Kimberley worked at PWC, then became a Chartered Accountant. She undertook an MBA (Executive) at the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) and worked across Australia and Asia, working with Unilever, NSW Health and NSW Transport as a consultant, and in designing strategy and better experiences. She now sits on a local health district board in New South Wales, chairs an advisory board for a small business, and mentors other CEOs.

Daniel joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade after completing his degree, with postings in Tokyo and Berlin, and the opportunity to work in a wide range of roles in Canberra. Highlights include leading the Pacific Division, responsible for Pacific Island and New Zealand relations. Most recently, he has worked as the Chief People Officer, leading the support of staff, their dependants, and operations across 112 overseas posts and seven national offices, including in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Daniel enjoyed working with current Burgmann resident Chris Seidl, as he developed the Burgmann Alumni app—"I encourage all to use it”. He is now in New York accompanying wife Fiona Webster--also a Burgmann alumna (1990-1991)—on her posting. One son has accompanied them while the other is studying in Melbourne.

David says he has done “a lot” since graduating, and it certainly sounds like he’s kept busy! Currently he is working as the CEO of a community-owned solar farm, running a software sales business, and separately doing IT audit consulting to government agencies through several firms. He’s also the team manager/captain for an ANU hockey team.