Remarkable Tales

Ever wondered what makes some songwriting collaborations work and others flounder? So has Ant Aggs. The Queensland Conservatorium graduate has travelled the world performing, recording and writing with artists such as Xavier Rudd, Toni Childs and Sahara Beck. He has channelled his frustration from the cancellation of many of his gigs during this Covid year, into his research, and creating two new albums. In this episode of Remarkable Tales, captured in Ant’s home studio, he gives us some insights into the mysterious creative process of songwriting, and how his master classes and research are trying to capture the special magic of what secret ingredients make incredible songs.

From growing up in the tiny town of Mundubbera in western Queensland to becoming the Asia Pacific vice-president of communications for global entertainment giant Netflix, Amy Kunrojpanya has never let a challenge get in the way of success. As she tells us on this episode of Remarkable Tales podcast, when Amy first completed her Bachelor of Asian and International studies at Griffith University, she hoped she was destined for a career in the diplomatic service. But little did she know that her path would lead her to managing complex public affairs and communications for some of the world's biggest brands ranging from global agriculture company, Syngenta, to Coca-Cola, Google, Uber and now Netflix. And all while contributing her growing global expertise in voluntary roles with a range of humanitarian organisations focused on anti-human trafficking and womens rights. She’s continued her studies at Boston College and Harvard Business School, and speaks eight languages. Amy spoke to us from her Netflix base and now home, in Singapore.

Nestled next to Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus, in the heart of the hub that once housed the Commonwealth Games, is what has now become the Cohort Innovation Space. Griffith Pr and Journalism graduate Ariana Margetts is at the helm as the general manager of Cospaces. She works closely with the state government and the Southport Chamber of Commerce to attract big clients to the precinct, and also liaise with smaller entrepreneurs who need shared spaces to make their ideas become reality. In this episode of Remarkable Tales, Ariana takes us on a tour of Cohort.

Griffith University Journalism graduate Taylah Fellows is defying the trend of cutbacks to regional reporting, by snaring an increasingly rare cadetship at new publication scone.com.au. Taylah is working full-time on local news and making sure the local community knows about everything from the great-grandmother turning 100, to what happened in court, and concerns about how urgently needed road repairs will be funded. She tells us on this episode of Remarkable Tales, how a Griffith University overseas exchange program gave her the confidence to move to the Horse Capital of Australia from the Gold Coast, and how she could not have found a better start for journalism career.

Born in Toronto, raised in Australia and living in Lebanon for nearly two decades, Elizabeth Kassab Sfeir is defiantly making her way on the road less travelled. As the self proclaimed "proud Griffith alumni" tells on this episode of Remarkable Tales, her leadership experience as President and Vice-President of Student Guild on the Gold Coast combined with her Griffith University business degree opened up her eyes to social justice issues. She has defied gender conventions in the patriarchal society of Lebanon by rising to leadership positions in tertiary education, and striving to improve opportunities for those she teaches. As well as taking on the role of Assistant Dean of the Business faculty at Antonine University in Beirut, Elizabeth is also expanding community initiatives to combat domestic violence and help support people with disabilities. She says her ongoing connection to Griffith University has been crucial in helping her break through institutional and societal barriers.

Only a few years after graduating from her Griffith business degree, Elise Giles is now one of the leading young minds encouraging us to look to Asia for our future. Last year she was recognised as an ASEAN Australia young leader, having worked and studied across Asia, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea. She grew up in outback Queensland with little interest in the region, but credits opportunities provided by the Griffith Honours College including a pivotal study trip to South Korea, combined with an Asian studies course, for ’catapulting’ her deep interest and love for Asia. As Elise tells us on this episode of Remarkable Tales, she returned from Vietnam to Australia just as COVID-19 hit, and Australia has much to learn from emerging economies such as Vietnam, for the incredible success they had combatting the pandemic crisis.

For Griffith University aviation graduate, QANTASLink pilot and First Officer Cameron Stuart, the freedom and logistics of flying are his constant companion and passion. On this episode of Remarkable Tales podcast, he tells how he has found his skills are still in demand despite the fallout from Coronavirus, and he is optimistic the aviation industry will emerge from this crisis stronger than it was before. Cameron graduated in the top five per cent of Griffith University students, receiving an academic excellence award. He was innovative in his quest to become a QANTASLink pilot, becoming a qualified flight instructor to fulfil his dream of flying whilst also satisfying his passion for teaching and learning.

On this episode of Griffith University's Remarkable Tales podcast, Jan Becker tells her story of how she has combined being a midwife, and a helicopter pilot. She now runs the largest helicopter pilot training academy in the southern hemisphere. Along with her team at Becker Helicopters, Jan coordinates emergency responses in floods, bushfires and other emergencies. And that’s alongside the joy of helping to bring a new life into the world. Jan co-founded a Midwifery Training Clinic in Tanzania and tells how she's changing the lives of mamas and babies one breath at a time.

For television media personality and podcaster Scott Bidmead, completing his journalism degree at Griffith University was just the beginning of a wild love affair with reporting, that has taken him all around the world. At the same time he has honed his entrepreneurial skills by starting his own media company - Mead Media. The former Chairman of Headspace in South Australia left his dream job in LA at the end of last year to pull together his dream, the corporate wellbeing startup, EUDA. And like much of his career before then, Scott has made the most of fortuitous timing, turning the Coronavirus pandemic into an opportunity to provide much needed mental health support to those who need it.

The creativity of Adrian Letilovic knows no bounds, so much so that he is now working in a job he could never have foreseen when he completed his Bachelor of Communication at Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus 15 years ago. His theatrical flair combined with his passion for diversity and inclusion have found their perfect match at one of the Big 4 accountancy firms, Deloitte. As Adrian tells us on this episode of Remarkable Tales, sometimes the best careers evolve from what seem to be the most unlikely partnerships.