Outstanding Alumnus of the Year (October 2020)
2010 MBA graduate Colin Vale was the Executive Director of the Anitua Group on Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Under his leadership, the organisation transformed into the most successful and largest landowner Group of Companies in PNG. It grew to more than 4,500 staff and 20 companies operating all over PNG in a diverse range of businesses including mining services, camp catering and management, retail, construction, agriculture and security. Colin’s ability to be inclusive of the cultural customs and collective approach to decision making with landowner groups, whilst implementing international best practice commercial strategy, business planning, financial management and corporate governance, was commended by the World Bank. (Full details via link above).
“I learnt early that I needed to understand the culture I’d been thrust into. I met elders to understand their issues and tried to find middle ground that assisted all parties,” Colin said.
He also demonstrated his commitment to the people of PNG by introducing programs that resulted in domestic violence on Lihir being greatly reduced. The initiatives were so successful at Anitua that it became a national issue. Anitua was also a great supporter of the elimination of malaria program on Lihir Island and was instrumental in its early success.
“I’m proud of what I managed to achieve in PNG and I picked up many strategies within my MBA that helped along the way.”
After many years overseas, Colin has returned home and has started a successful health and fitness centre on the Sunshine Coast with plans to franchise in the future.
Please note: this is archival information and may not reflect the recipients' current work details.