Federation University recognises prominent past students with its annual Alumni Awards

The Alumnus of the Year was jointly awarded to Hawthorn Football Club head fitness coach Andrew Russell, and educator and social justice advocate Dr Maryann Brown.

Mr Russell also undertakes his own endurance running and coached Australian middle distance runner Jeff Riseley to a world championship 800 metre semi-final and a fifth place at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Dr Brown has taught and held senior leadership positions at schools across Victoria and is also a life member of Teachers Across Borders.

She also works with the Macpherson Smith Rural Foundation, helping young people from rural regions.

The Young Alumna of the Year Award went to the Catherine Harris, who works with youth across the Katherine region in the Northern Territory and supports students from remote communities to access mainstream education.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award was jointly given to Peter Blackburn, Robert Foo Hee Chong and Jacqueline Dark.

Mr Blackburn represented Australia in badminton at two Olympic Games, four Commonwealth Games and five world championships.

He was Australia’s number one ranked badminton player for 10 years and captained the Australian team for a decade.

He will be heading to the Rio Olympic Games to commentate on tennis, badminton and beach volleyball.

Mr Chong oversaw the establishment of many migrant services in Melbourne and has been a City of Whitehorse councillor since 1997.

He has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal, Centenary Medal and is a member of the Order of Australia.

Ms Dark has performed in many major operatic productions and is currently performing the lead role of Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music.

She has won two Helpmann Awards and two Green Room Awards and was awarded an Encore Award for excellence in Ballarat theatre.