The Alumni Reunion Day, held on 10 August, coincided with the University Open Day. The event saw approximately 715 alumni, 22 volunteers, and friends of the University from Australia and around the globe, including Cameroon, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, China, Fiji, India, the Philippines, New Zealand, and Thailand, return to celebrate their shared history and achievements.

Established 60 years ago as the first university north of the harbor in New South Wales, the institution has transformed from its origins on reclaimed land into a vibrant, global community. "Macquarie University has become a diverse and inclusive community," Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton noted in the opening speech. "We now have students from all corners of Australia and around the world, with representation from 119 countries this semester alone. Our students of today can study, play, and work with colleagues from many different cultures and contexts around the world."

Macquarie University is more than just a place to earn a degree—it's where lifelong friendships and a supportive community are formed.

On the day of the event, Ms Felicity Brown (BA 1989) reconnected with Professor Dowton and brought along a photo album. They shared the memory of her late grandmother, who had been a librarian at the Vice-Chancellor’s school in Dubbo. Despite the library's modest size, her grandmother recognised the Vice-Chancellor’s strong interest in science and went out of her way to provide additional science books and magazines. As Ms Brown flipped through the photo album, she and the Vice-Chancellor reminisced about those meaningful moments.

Ernie Kim (MA/MIntRelations 2011) recalled his first day at Macquarie University: “Nervous and alone in a new place, I was approached by Kylie Sturday (MIntRel 2015), who introduced herself with a smile. We quickly became friends, shared study notes, travelled abroad, and began our careers. This past weekend, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the university, I was no longer nervous—because I was with a friend of nearly twenty years. People come into our lives for different reasons, but some stay for a lifetime.”

Karen Wong (BComm 2007) from Hong Kong arrived at Sydney Airport at 9:30 a.m. on 10 August and went straight to the event. She fondly recalled her time enjoying the sunshine by the lakeside and watching the ducklings. Sylvestre Mang (GMBA 2023), who traveled from Cameroon to Australia for the event, had the chance to participate in the reunion day after missing both his Master of Commerce and GMBA graduation ceremonies. This visit also gave him the opportunity to take his long-awaited graduation photo. Wong and Mang are among the many alumni who travelled from overseas to attend Alumni Reunion Day.

Many attendees brought their families to celebrate, with some including multiple generations of alumni and others bringing children of various ages, reflecting the enduring connection and ongoing tradition of the Macquarie University community.

The event featured a panel discussion on "The future of careers and education," moderated by Nicole Gower, Vice-President of Professional Services. The panellists included Macquarie alumna Amanda Rose (GradCertEducationStudies 2018), international alumnus Sylvestre Mang (GMBA 2023), and Professor Rorden Wilkinson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). The discussion addressed the evolving landscape of careers and education, focusing on the impact of technological advancements, the role of education in preparing students for future challenges, and strategies for adapting to a changing global job market.

Jade Bunt, a Law and Psychology student and scholarship recipient, thanked alumni and friends of the University for their profound impact. The University looks forward to sharing more about how the "60 for 60 Campaign" will continue to support and inspire future generations. She concluded the ceremony with her heartfelt words: “You are changing so many people’s lives, and while you might not get to see every one of our stories individually, know that it makes such a difference in students’ lives and changes their entire career and life trajectory.”