Alumnus of the Year, First Nations Award (October 2025)

Carly Forrest is a proud Mandandanji woman living on Kabi Kabi Country and graduated with a Bachelor of Business (Management) in 2013. In 2023, Ms Forrest founded The Dreaming Collective, a consultancy that partners with First Nations–owned and led organisations to strengthen strategic operations, governance, and business capability. She also works with non-Indigenous organisations seeking to build cultural understanding, embed Indigenous governance principles, and form genuine partnerships with First Nations communities. Through her extensive voluntary service, Carly has led major initiatives including the first NAIDOC Ball on the Sunshine Coast, and a national podcast amplifying First Nations voices. She also contributes her knowledge through governance roles with Deadly Science, Dream a Dream Foundation, The First Traders and Munimba-Ja Arts Centre.