Alumni

Nikki Davey, from the Class of 2001, is the co-founder and CEO of Grown Not Flown, a digital platform that supports micro and small-scale farmers globally. Recognised as the 2023 AgriFutures Rural Women of the Year, Nikki is passionate about supporting local producers and fostering sustainable, community-driven agriculture. Her journey into AgTech began on her family farm in Glenmore, where she saw firsthand the challenges faced by small growers.

With over 15 years of experience in change management, project management, and operational excellence, Nikki holds both an MBA and a Master of Analytics Management from Melbourne Business School. Her business experience, combined with a vision for a regenerative and localised flower and food system, led to the creation of Grown Not Flown.

Originally launched to support the cut-flower industry, the platform has since expanded to include other types of producers and agritourism, connecting users in over 37 countries. Grown Not Flown aims to reduce flower and food miles, provide technology tailored to small farmers, and offer consumers more sustainable, locally grown alternatives.

Through her work, Nikki continues to champion a future where small-scale farming thrives, benefiting both local communities and the environment.

Ian Richardson, a proud 2014 graduate, has taken his passion for performing from the classroom to the world stage. It all began in high school, where Ian discovered a love for physical expression in Drama classes while developing his athletic abilities through the Specialist Sport program. It was during his participation in the school production of ‘Grease – The Musical’ that Ian knew he wanted to make performing his career. Circus, surprisingly, became the perfect way to combine his passions for performing, fitness, mindfulness, and making people laugh.

After graduation, Ian was accepted into the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA). The following year, he moved to Melbourne to train in Hand Balancing, Clowning, and Pass Juggling under teachers from Shanghai, Russia, and Australia.

Ian has since travelled the world, with his career taking him the United States, Canada, Spain, Italy, France, Indonesia, North Africa and extensively across Australia. Ian has performed in Big Top circus rings, at sea, private galas, hotel promotions, and sold-out Fringe Festival shows. Along the way, he has worked with incredible artists, technical crews, and coaches who continue to inspire and guide him, making his work both fun and rewarding.

This year, Ian returned to Australia, taking on the lead Character Clown role in “Infamous the Show’, operated by the world-renowned Ashton family, who have been touring big top circus productions for an astounding 174 years.

In addition to performing, Ian co-hosts The Cheeky Podcast, an educational series with over 40 episodes, where he teaches people what Clowning is all about.

Brett completed Year 12 with a partly-formed notion, based on his experience as a Rotary Exchange Student, that he was interested in international relations and public policy.

Six years, and a BA(Hons) degree later, he joined the Department of Foreign Affairs as a diplomat. He loved the policy work in Canberra but his posting to the Australian Embassy in Mexico was frustrating – so much so that he resigned and returned to Australia early in 1977. After a brief stint teaching at what is now the University of Canberra, Brett joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) becoming, in time, the RAAF’s senior intelligence officer and later senior security officer. He then moved into capability development and sponsored a two billion dollars portfolio of Defence projects including several involved with space.

In 2002, Brett retired from the RAAF and joined the space team of Cisco Systems – a global IT company. In 2010, he founded a consulting company that specialises in space and cyber security policy development, advocacy and education. Brett chairs the Advisory Committee of the Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC) and devotes much time to strengthening the Australian space sector.

Brett’s motto: be defined by your values and interests and not your qualifications.

After school, Renata and her ‘high school sweetheart’ (now husband…yes they are still together!), Neil Roberts, made their way to Melbourne to complete university. Unbeknownst to Renata, this would be the first of four degrees she would undertake.

Renata then worked in the mining industry for over 21 years in a diverse portfolio of functions including HR & Capability, Safety & Health, Risk Management & Audit, Industrial Relations, Communications, Community Engagement, and IT.

Renata was awarded in 2020 the NSW Exceptional Woman in Mining Award and then went on to be the first NSW nominee to win the Exceptional Woman in Australian Resources Award for her leadership and work within the industry. In 2022, Renata was selected among the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining for her passionate advocacy for diversity, inclusion, and mental health.

Since July 2012, Renata has worked with The Bloomfield Group in Newcastle, NSW, and is currently the Chief Corporate Services Officer. Renata is a Non-Executive Board member for Firstchance, a not-for-profit organisation providing early intervention for children with disability developmental delays.

Recently, Renata has added author to her list of achievements having self-published a series of children’s books called Join Jackson’s Journey, which is inspired by Neil & Renata’s 7 year-old and is designed to strengthen the leaders of today and build the leaders of tomorrow.