Oliver Dupen walked straight from Griffith University into his dream job after graduating with a Bachelor of Nursing. The walk was short, from Griffith’s Gold Coast campus across the road to the Gold Coast University Hospital’s cardiology ward.
His first experience in the ward came during second-year placement. Oliver decided he wanted to return to work there full-time, but he knew that it would be a competitive selection process and he would need to work hard to secure a graduate position.
Oliver credits Griffith University for providing him a pathway to attain his dream job. “My experience at Griffith was great: they prepared me well. Six months down the track and I’m working in my dream job. Griffith facilitated a massive part of that, which shows the calibre of the University.”
“It says a lot about Griffith that a student can get that kind of outcome.”
Oliver was an outstanding student. He was a member of Griffith Honours College, a school for high-achieving students, and took a role as a Griffith Student Ambassador. His tutors were aware of his aim to work in cardiology, and they worked with him to get there.
“It’s part of my nature — I want to excel at things,” Oliver said. “I completed the placement and did what I could to get back to the cardiology ward upon my graduation. I knew where I intended to go, and Griffith gave me the opportunity to get there. It says a lot about Griffith that a student can get that kind of outcome.”
He is rapt with his new job. “I’m loving it; it’s fantastic,” Oliver said. “It’s a full-on environment. You can be thrown curve balls even on a good day. You’re always making sure the patients are getting the care they need and are avoiding adverse events.”
“I knew where I intended to go, and Griffith gave me the opportunity to get there.”
Oliver is still associated with Griffith University as a teacher. “I remember where I was at as a first-year, and it’s great to feed into the next generation. It helps me solidify my knowledge, as well. The students are eager and ready to learn. I talk a lot about my experience and they get excited. It’s cool to see them gain knowledge.”
Zoe Gill had been a social worker for 15 years when she enrolled in a Master of Social Work at Griffith University.
Already a leader within her industry, Zoe took on the degree as a personal challenge. She felt like ‘something was missing’, and that something was a qualification commensurate with her substantial lived experience.
What impressed Zoe about Griffith was how much her supervisors really cared as they guided her through the university system. Zoe saw her lecturers, tutors and convenors bringing social work values into education.
“They cared about me as a social worker would: They saw me, my whole life and my professional experience,” Zoe said.
“If you meet them at their expectations, they will do anything for you, as they want good outcomes for their students. They cared about the outcomes that I had.”
One moment when Zoe felt like Griffith University cared was her final placement. Her course supervisor, Joanne Williams, helped create a personalised experience that offered a Zoe a new challenge.
“Jo committed to the project, and I grew so much more because of her efforts,” Zoe said. “I really got a challenging project working with passionate people living wonderful lives. I was able to hear their voices and produced a graphic story as my assessment. Voices really matter.”
Zoe graduated in 2017. She often thinks back at her time studying with affection and warmth, and she says it’s left her with a wider view of public health and society. “It was incredibly important that I see the bigger picture,” she said.
Taking a wider view of social work was important to Zoe in her role as a systems navigator in the disability services sector. She helps deliver positive outcomes for clients and their doctors by guiding them through the complex health system.
“A barrier for people with a disability getting the help they need isn’t just accessing the system, but it is also understanding how to navigate the system. It’s not easy. People can get lost and fall through the cracks,” Zoe said.
“I’m the navigation point. I am the vehicle to get people the information they need, empower them and give them space to live their lives.”
Roshan Rigby is a PhD candidate, researcher and teacher at Griffith University. She is studying how dietitians use behaviour change theories in practice so they can provide better tailored interventions and improve outcomes for clients.
More than two-thirds of Australian adults, and one-third of children, are overweight or obese. Understanding how behaviour change works in practice is crucial to guiding improved health outcomes for Australians.
Roshan has been interested in health and fitness for as long as she can remember. She grew up playing touch football and represented Queensland in the sport when she was a high school student on the Gold Coast, her home town.
She went on to complete a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics at Griffith and is continuing with the University as a PhD candidate. She is using her own passion to help other people through research.
“I think it is in my nature to help other people, and I doing that through food is something that I think is really important,” she said.
“I like research and the power it has to inform better outcomes for patients. I hope it will make an impact on whole range of people, patients and dieticians.”
A collaborative approach to the obesity crisis is vital, and Griffith University fosters an interdisciplinary, team-based approach to health and learning. It’s one of the reasons Roshan feels so comfortable and happy at Griffith.
Roshan has an autonomous role within the research sphere, but also works closely alongside her supervisors and other researchers. It’s one of the strengths of the University, Roshan says, that it puts such a focus on teamwork and support.
“Griffith fosters interdisciplinary learning and teaching ethos, which is what you will expect in a ‘real life’ setting, and I always feel supported by my supervisors. The focus is always on patient-centred care, which is delivers the best outcomes for patients.”
Griffith University has selected its representatives for the CFA Institute Research Challenge 2019.
Bachelor of Commerce student Tanner Noakes was selected to represent Griffith Business School at the national competition, from the team that won the internal challenge. The top four teams from the national will compete at the national finals to be held in Sydney in September,. Also gaining a coveted spot on the team are Alexander Bryne, Hamish Morton, Celena Music and Sanuri De Silva Wimalatunga.
The team was carefully selected as the result of a thorough observation of their performance in the internal challenge. Tanner’s team, comprising the Bachelor of Commerce student Samantha Carter and Bachelor of Business student Andy Nguyen, were the winners of the challenge on the day, with Tanner progressing to the next stage.
The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an annual global competition that provides university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis and professional ethics. The competition sees students tested on their analytical, valuation, report writing, and presentation skills. They gain real-world experience as they assume the role of a research analyst.
Tanner says the unusual step of having the team feature only one finance student (himself) may have given them the edge to succeed. “Our team was the only one that contained students who weren’t in finance, and having that gave us some different and interesting views,” he says.
“These kinds of competitions are the best way to learn, hands down. The amount of progress you get in this short period of time is unlike any other experience.”
Fellow team member Samantha Carter agrees. “Participating in the numerous activities offered by Griffith Business School is something I would encourage all students to do,” she says. “Not only does it allow you to engage with these awesome opportunities while meeting new people, you also gain a sense of confidence that I have seen directly reflected in my studies and motivation.”
Andy, the third member of the team, says he was inspired to enter the competition by Griffith Business School alumnus Enoch Pun. “Having studied in Shanghai under Senior Lecturer John Fan, Enoch Pun and Tingxi Zhang [who has previously represented Griffith at the CFA Challenge national and regional finals] last year as part of the Work-Integrated Learning program, I was inspired to apply,” he says. “I saw the Challenge as a potential for both personal and academic growth.
“When we won, I didn’t believe it at first. It took me a few seconds to register, as the other competitors did so well!” Andy says. He explains that having access to these opportunities in addition to his degree will put him ahead when it comes time to being his career. “Having competitions like this allows me to apply what I have learnt into a real-world application, reinforcing what I’ve learnt. The Business School has great integration with other work environments, learning is just not in class and opportunities to learn outside the classroom are incredibly valuable. Additionally I’d say they benefit me much more personally as pathways after graduation, opening up a lot more doors for me.”
Tanner says it was Griffith University’s reputation that led him to enrol, a decision that has only been confirmed throughout his time studying. “I’ve long held the belief that Griffith is one of the best commerce universities in Australia,” he says. The community aspect of the Business School is better than anywhere else and the senior lecturers are fantastic. I am constantly surprised by the insane amount of personal time they give up to help students.”
“The opportunities at Griffith are endless,” Samantha explains. “When I was deciding where to study, Griffith University really ticked all the boxes. The wide range of co- and extracurricular activities you can be involved in is so beneficial.”
Tanner says he’s already busy studying for the CFA Institute Challenge national competition. “I’ve known people who’ve competed in 2016, 2017 and 2018 so I feel like I have three generations of my ‘ancestors’ cheering me on to do well. I have an insane amount of work to do in the next few months but I know it’s going to be a ton of fun as well.”
Griffith has announced a strong 24-player squad to compete at this year’s AON Rugby Sevens’ Series and defend their series champions title.
With the first tournament set for September 14, preparations are well underway and regular squad trainings and a round of development tournaments helped final squad selection.
Laura Waldie
Bachelor of Oral Health and Dental Science student Laura Waldie, who was a standout in the 2018 series, returns to the fold this year along with a number of fresh faces.
“We had such a fantastic year in 2018 and this year we have been off to a really positive start as well,” Laura said.
“We were involved in a number of development tournaments which gave girls a chance to put their hand up for selection.
“I’m excited to see what our new players bring to the squad as well as the impact of our returning squad members.”
Griffith University finished with three first place tournaments last year, securing the title of 2018 series champions.
Griffith University secured the 2018 AON Rugby 7s Series in Adelaide.
Coach Moana Virtue credits last year’s stellar season to hard work and a positive team environment but knows there’s no place for complacency this year.
New squad inclusions and high school students Lucy Single and Tiana Raftstrand-Smith caught the eye of coach Virtue with strong performances during the development tournaments.
“To have just over half of the squad as returning players this year is great for our experience, although I’ve been really impressed with the new talent especially with how young they are,” said Virtue.
“The series win meant a lot to us in 2018 but it’s a new year and teams are working just as hard.
“Our attention is now on coming together as a squad and putting the work in so we’re ready to go, come the first tournament.”
This year the AON Rugby Seven’s series will hold four tournaments over October and September with Brisbane to host the first tournament, followed by the Gold Coast the following fortnight.
AON 7s Griffith rugby squad:
Ellen Field, Kiri Lingman, Samantha Lingman, Eloise O’Brien, Georgie Friedrichs, Marama Thomas, Ngaupoko Masters, Taylor Fenton, Laura Waldie, Katie Curtis, Kahli Kenwood, Eloise Schlecht, Ivania Wong, Cecilia Smith, Georgia Devlin, Marlugu Dixon, Shannon Mato, Charlotte Kennington, Tiana Raftstrand-Smith, Alana Elisaia, Courtney Hodder, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Lucy Single, Yolanda Gittins.
An international hub set to bring together researchers fighting current world issues like climate change and infectious disease outbreaks has opened at Griffith University.
The Centre for Environment and Population Health (CEPH)Hub for Global Health Security opened at Griffith’s Nathan campus on July 22, providing a space for international and Australian researchers to collaborate on matters of public health.
The hub aims to improve methods of forecasting major events for better preparedness, from extreme weather and climate change, to Dengue Fever and Ebola outbreaks, mosquito-borne diseases, hand-foot and mouth diseases, diarrhoea and heart diseases.
CEPH Director Professor Cordia Chu said while there was a plethora of research being carried out in these areas internationally, the new initiative would help avoid missed connections.
“The key objective is to build capacity to strategically address priority health security issues with a focus on climate change-related extreme weather events, floods and emerging infectious disease outbreaks,” Professor Chu said.
“Too often there are many different sectors working on important health security issues… however, because they do not work together, they duplicate each other’s work, struggle to identify gaps and resource less effectively.
“The Hub will coordinate a network of international and in-country networks on global health security which can help link the many sectors working on these health issues.”
The CEPH Hub has an Indo-Pacific focus, with the intention of strengthening the capacity of researchers and policy makers in Australia, China, Indonesia and Vietnam.
It includes a multi-office suite housing three country program offices (China, Indonesia, Vietnam), a Risk Communication, Emergency Management and Adapting to Climate Change for Health corner for visiting post-doctoral fellows from the global communities, and a shared training and meeting room with video conferencing facilities to communicate with the global partners.
Important research outcomes
Dr Maria Antonio studied her PhD at the CEPH under Professor Chu and Dr Larry Crump and is a prime example of the type of exceptional research facilitated by the new hub.
The recently graduated PhD candidate focused on the issues of organ trafficking and surrogacy regulation in the Philippines, with her findings and recommendations resulting in policy change in her home country.
“I discovered there was ongoing trafficking for organ removal in the Philippines where brokers came from Turkey, kidney patients came from Israel and paid donors came from Eastern Europe,” Dr Antonio said.
Dr Maria Antonio at her July 2019 graduation.
“They all flew to the Philippines for organ transplants, which were done by a Filipino transplant surgeon in a government hospital.”
She discovered there were existing regulations and policies on anti-trafficking and organ donation, but there were also gaps in those policies and regulations.
In August 2018, Dr Antonio organised a meeting with the Philippine Secretary of Department of Health (DOH), Department of Justice (DOJ), the World Health Organization, the Vatican, Declaration of Istanbul, The Transplant Society and lawmakers in Philippine Congress to discuss her findings and recommendations.
“As a result, the Renal Replacement bill is now being deliberated in Congress to strengthen the organ donation and transplant program and prevent organ trafficking in the country and I am actively participating in the policy advocacy of this bill.”
Dr Antonio also discovered there was no law to regulate surrogacy services in the Philippines and her recommendations have resulted in the the DOH and DOJ drafting a bill to create regulations, which they hope to push to Congress later this year.
Second year Bachelor of Pharmacy student Kelly Meuleman is one of six Griffith students to receive a total of $40,000 and mentorship as part of the Women in STEM2D joint Johnson & Johnson Innovation and Griffith University scholarship project.
Griffith is one of just 13 universities worldwide, and the first in Australia, to participate in the program.
Kelly Meuleman
Based at Gold Coast campus, Kelly learned she’d received a scholarship while on an overnight train in India.
“My elated response caught the attention of the train carriage and I am sure a number of people wondered what was wrong with me. It was very difficult to contain my excitement as I have had a difficult few months and knowing that a complete stranger had read my application and saw something they deemed worthy of a scholarship helped to restore some of the self belief that I had recently lost,” she said.
“The scholarship means a big financial weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I can really focus on my studies.”
Kelly says travel inspired her decision to study pharmacy.
“The more I travelled the more I saw first hand how the lack of access to basic healthcare was impacting the lives of so many people and it became something that I wanted to change. When I was in Iran I met a pharmacist and she helped me see the incredible impact a pharmacist can have on healthcare, so I decided to study pharmacy.”
Ela Heiniger
22 year old fourth year Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electronic and Biomedical Engineering student Ela Heiniger lives at Burleigh, also studies at Gold Coast campus and competes in surf lifesaving.
She has had to extend her studies to allow fulfil a large training workload, which means she will complete her degree at the end of 2020.
“This financial assistance will allow me to complete my final year of studying without additional financial burden and stress,” she said.
“Studying to become a biomedical engineer is a rewarding experience as it offers me a range of opportunities to develop and improve medical devices which may then be utilised to enhance the lives of others.
“This scholarship is a great honour ….. I would love to apply my skills and experience to a healthcare company such as J and J, with an ultimate goal of improving the ultimate wellbeing of society.”
Luana Ross
39 year old nursing student Luana Ross said the scholarship would ensure she finished her degree at Logan campus.
“Prior to being notified ofthe scholarship, completing my degree this year was questionableand discussions of deferring courses had begun,” she admitted.
“Growing up I had a lack of self confidence in believing I had the ‘smarts’ to continue education after high school.
“I had previously enrolled in four Universities but never had the courage to attend. It was out of necessity to improve our current family situation andthe (late but necessary) epiphany that we needed tocreate positive generational change in attitude toward higher education. The change in mindset and ease of enrolling into Griffith is what was the final push that drove me to face my fears and do it anyway.
Fellow award recipient Kathleen Jackson said attending Griffith was a privilege but admitted the “expense of studying, placements and ordinary living expenses can be overwhelming and discouraging at times.”
“Being awarded a scholarship has made me feel like everything I was working towards in my future is finally within reach.
Kathleen Jackson
“I love nursing because it’s a profession that never stops giving I learn new things every day… and I feel so good inside when I see improvement in my patients.
“My short-term goal is to obtain a Graduate Program at Logan Hospital within there Surgical Wards. Even though the competition is fierce to get a Graduate Program in Metro South Hospitals, I want to give back to my community. When I was in a time of need the Logan, community was there for me and I just feel the best way to give back is to work at the community’s main hospital.”
Professor Debra Henly, Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, said the partnership was an important means of increasing the number of women working in STEM-related areas.
“Griffith University is delighted to be working with J&J to promote careers in STEM to our female students through mentorship from J&Jand the generous provision of scholarships that support talented women to stay at university to complete their studies,” she added.
The joint scholarship project, launched in January this year, is part of Johnson & Johnson Innovation’s commitment to developing and implementing high-impact strategies to support female students undertaking degree courses in the fields of STEM2D.
Students will be mentored by commercial leaders at the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, with first-hand experience of site tours, mentorship, and project and career workshops allowing them to visualise a career in STEM outside of academia.
Award recipients include four Gold Coast based undergrads and two studying at Logan campus.
1. Ela Heiniger: Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electronic and Biomedical Engineering, 4th year, Gold Coast Campus
2. Jacquelyn Wilson: Bachelor of Information Technology, 2nd year, Gold Coast Campus
3. Kelly Meuleman: Bachelor of Pharmacy, 2nd year, Gold Coast Campus
4. Katharina Gutjahr-Holland: Bachelor of Health Science, 2nd year, Gold Coast Campus
5. Kathleen Jackson: Bachelor of Nursing, 3rd year, Logan Campus
6. Luana Ross: Bachelor of Nursing, 3rd year, Logan Campus
The project also provides research funding to identify barriers that prevent female students from joining and staying in STEM-related degrees and solutions to overcome those barriers.
The world’s best calligraphers, sign writers and typographers will descend on the Gold Coast this week for a creative conference focusing on the art of typography.
The Typism Conference is in its fifth year and devoted entirely to the beauty of the written word. From humble beginnings, it has evolved into an online global community, with more than 90,000 followers on Instagram.
“I wanted to find a way to inspire and motivate my graphic design students,” she said.
“Many of them showed an interest in typography and lettering but didn’t believe it was possible to make a living from it.”
By bringing together the world’s most successful lettering artists, Associate Professor Falla is both showcasing the craft and profession, and helping to inspire the next generation of designers.
She is known for her unique string typography work, and has completed stunning one-off commissions for companies like Google, Woolworths and Penguin Publishing.
Many of her students have become successful typographers and letter artists in their own right, using a range of distinctive techniques, from custom chalk lettering to hand drawn ink and pen designs and calligraphy.
She believes developing a point of difference gives young designers an edge in a competitive job market.
“There is so much generic stuff out there, it’s about finding a way to stand out,” she said.
“People get tired of design that is too slick or polished looking.
“If they can offer clients something unique, it definitely makes them more employable.”
This year’s Typism Conference is held at Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus and the Home of the Arts (HOTA) from 1 – 3 August.
Nearly two decades ago, Melissa Lucashenko was a delivery driver in Brisbane’s northern outskirts. Today, the Griffith graduate and Griffith Review contributor is a recipient of Australia’s most prestigious literary prize – the Miles Franklin Award.
‘Too Much Lip’ is Lucashenko’s sixth title of contemporary Aboriginal life. It centres on a character named Kerry Salter, who after avoiding prison and her family for years, is forced to return home to Bundjalung country to deal with a crisis involving Goorie politics and struggles. Race, class, land and family are key motifs for the novel also shortlisted for the 2019 Stella Prize.
“I feel shocked and I feel really pleased to be honest to win such an acclaimed prize”, Ms Lucashenko said.
A graduate of Griffith University with a major in Public Policy, the path to the literary stardom she now holds has been unconventional to say the least.
“I was working as a delivery driver in 1982 and applied to go to Griffith. I had no real concept of what it meant to go to university or how life would change. And here I am 25 years later and I’m a novelist,” Ms Lucaseneko told Griffith Review in a 2013 interview.
One of the most published authors in the Review’s history with 12 pieces, Ms Lucashenko credits the publication with being pivotal in her writing career.
“It’s been a critical development platform for me. It allowed me a space to think out loud and to refine my writing and think about issues that go to the heart of what Australia is and what Australia can be.
“I’m very grateful for Griffith Review for not just what they’ve done for me but what they’ve done for the climate of Australian public intellectualism.”
Miles Franklin Award 2019 shortlisted writers. Photo via Facebook
Griffith Review Editor Dr Ashley Hay said to have a Miles Franklin prize winning novelist closely aligned with the publication speaks for itself.
“Melissa has been associated with Griffith Reviewsince its second edition in 2003; we’re grateful to have been able to host her words in a dozen editions — including an early extract fromToo Much Lip(GR60)—and to support and celebrate the growth of her career.
“Hers is one of Australia’s most important and exciting voices: she is fierce; she is funny, and she pins her places and her people to the page like no one else”, Dr Hay said.
Also an accomplished essayist, the Brisbane-born writer won a Walkley Award in 2013 for her feature writing long-form piece ‘Sinking Below Sight: Down and Out in Brisbane and Logan‘, a story partly informed by her studies in public policy at Griffith.
Melissa joins acclaimed author Frank Moorhouse as the only recipients of both a Walkley and Miles Franklin with both receiving their Walkleys for Griffith Review pieces
The Miles Franklin Literary Award was established in 1957 through the will and bequest of Maria Miles Franklin, author of ‘My Brilliant Career’.
Longlisted for the Award in 2014 for her novel ‘Mullumbimby’, Ms Lucashenko receives $60,000 for this year’s success.
A who’s who of our literary giants including Patrick White, Tim Winton, Thea Astley to indigenous author Alexis Wright are recipients of the prize which celebrates its 62nd year in 2019.
Inspired by an eclectic set of musical influences, from Björk to Bach, Monique has forged an exciting career as a genre-bending musician.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Music in 2015, she has toured the globe with folk band, The Maes, has begun carving out a solo career as a singer-songwriter and performs freelance gigs with some of the world’s biggest artists.
‘You had to grit your teeth and hang on to your bow’
One of the most memorable gigs was with Grammy-award winning artist Eminem at the MCG earlier this year in front of 80,000 fans.
Photo credit: Dean Swindell
“I was part of the string sextet backing Eminem at the MCG – it was a huge production,” she said.
“The show rolls on like a high-speed train for two hours, and there is no stopping for anything.
“There are these huge explosions as part of the show that shake your whole body, so you just had to grit your teeth and hang on to your bow!”
Breaking down barriers
Another memorable gig was playing with fellow Queensland Conservatorium alumni Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall at Woodford Folk Festival. Kate Miller-Heidke is another classically-trained musician who has broken down barriers with her fusion of pop and opera, and she has been a role model for Monique.
“Kate is a real inspiration,” she said.
“Seeing a fellow artist from Brisbane who has used her classical training to do something really unexpected gave me the impetus to pursue my solo career.
“Someone like Kate makes it feel possible and attainable.”
Adventures in Afghanistan
As well as being a multi-genre performer, Monique is also a passionate educator. After graduating from the Queensland Conservatorium, she spent several weeks in Kabul teaching at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music.
“I got a phone call out of the blue from some friends whose string trio had been asked to be guest lecturers at ANIM, asking if I wanted to come along,” she said.
“I was incredibly naïve when I said yes. I didn’t realise that frequent bombing and kidnapping was still a reality in Afghanistan.
“While I was teaching though, it felt surprisingly normal, just like teaching back home.
“But you would get these sudden reality checks. It’s common at that school for young girls to go missing from classes in mysterious circumstances, and you might find out later that they had been married off. In the course of a lesson, a student might mention their father being killed by the Taliban.
“It was an impossibly complex place, but it was amazing how music brought us all together and helped us connect in such a fundamental way.”
The benefits of a classical education
Photo credit: Lauren Bartkowiak
Monique’s own musical journey began at the Queensland Conservatorium, where she was selected for the prestigious Australian Youth Orchestra, and won the Vada Jeffries award for solo Bach performance.
“I really threw myself into my classical studies at the Con, but I realised I wasn’t passionate enough about orchestral playing, so after graduating I focused on folk gigs and writing my own music,” she said.
“The main thing I took away from my time at the Con was the importance of having a good work ethic – you practice and work hard, and it pays off.
“I’ve applied that to everything I’ve done since graduating.
“And so much of what I do on the cello goes back to my musical training — controlling tone, obsessing over intonation, metronome practice.”
“I had an amazing time with Di, who shared all of her wisdom and experience with us, and helped us think outside the practice room,” she said.
“We did an assignment on grant writing, and I was able to use those skills to apply for grants from the Australia Council and Queensland Government that allowed me to spend three months in the US attending folk music festivals, workshops and lessons.”
‘To pursue a performing career is a dream’
Her debut solo EP, By The Stars was released in 2017, backed by a Pledgemusic campaign that drew supporters from the USA, UK, Germany and Japan. Since then, she has toured her music across Australia, with performances at Woodford Folk Festival and the Port Fairy Folk Festival.
Photo credit: Jax Oliver
Monique undertook a songwriting residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts earlier this year, writing new material that will form her debut album, to be released next year.
“Four years after graduating, I’m still growing my career,” she said.
“It will take a while to get there, but I have a whole bunch of new songs, and I now have a manager in the US, which has helped a lot.
“To be able to pursue a performing career is a dream, and I’m so grateful that it’s all panning out.”
