By Lucy Blair
A lack of inspiration can quickly drain the joy from gift giving. Not to fear, Contact’s gift guide is here!
From the adventurers to the readers, we’ve got the special people in your life covered. Better yet, all pressies are supporting UQ alumni. Scroll through the full selection of presents below or skip straight to who you’re shopping for using the menu bar above.
Famin Makes
Give the gift of giving with a handmade hat by the generous Famin Ahmed (Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Law (Honours) ’19). The UQ alum founded Famin Makes between graduating and starting work as a full-time lawyer in 2019, and was motivated by her first-hand experience with the lack of funding for domestic-violence victims trying to access legal advice.
Three years later, Famin has raised more than $55,000 by sewing after hours and donating all proceeds to the Women’s Legal Service Queensland to help victims of domestic violence.
“Buying a hat means you have a unique, handmade gift, while helping women and children to escape domestic violence at the same time.”
A meaningful pressie and a cause well worth your support. Visit the @FaminMakes Instagram to find your gift.
Lad Collective Sheets
Bachelor of Business Management student Ed Ovenden and his brother Bill have designed an innovative and easy-to use range of bedwear that takes the pain out of making the bed.
"We created The Lad Collective to help Aussies sleep well and make the bed easily. We find new and logical ways to revolutionise your everyday bedroom and bathroom essentials that, frankly, have been ignored up until now. Our mission is to improve the lives of Aussies through good sleep and cleanliness."
We can’t wait to see where the brothers take it from here!
Give the gift of a good night’s sleep.
DYFM Card Game
Created by the popular Alexis Fernandez (Bachelor of Arts ’12), this question-based card game keeps the convo rolling and helps you build stronger connections with yourself and your friends through thought-provoking questions.
“The game aims to get you more open, honest, vulnerable and closer to yourself and those around you. Time to cut through all the fog and get real!”
Alexis is best known for her podcast, Do you F*****g Mind. In addition to her Bachelor of Arts degree from UQ, she holds a Masters in Neuroscience and is an author and qualified personal trainer.
Use the code UQ15 for 15 per cent off your gift.
Alton
From camping hammocks to sleeping bags and bug nets: adventure awaits with Alton’s range of high-quality outdoor equipment. Founded by Sam Schumann (Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Law ’15) in 2015, Alton was born at the intersection of Sam’s appetite for adventure and fascination with well-crafted outdoor gear.
“We create high-quality outdoor equipment with meticulous attention to detail and with lifelong functionality in mind.”
Backed by a lifetime warranty, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Two Good Co.
Founder of Two Good Co., Rob Caslick (Bachelor of Engineering '98), believes one good meal has the potential to change the course of someone's life. Two Good Co. donates 800 meals a week to women refuges and creates social employment opportunities for the women from shelters they serve. With all sales reinvested into these programs, the Two Good Cook Book is the perfect addition to any kitchen countertop.
“Recipes of resilience. Stories of courage. Take a page from Two Good Cookbook Two, and harness the nourishing, healing power of food, whilst supporting women at risk of homelessness as they rebuild their self-worth and independence.”
Prior to founding Two Good Co., Robert served as a lieutenant in the Royal Australian Navy during the second Gulf War before establishing Australia’s first organic soup kitchen in 2010. He received a UQ Vice-Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Award in 2020 to recognise his incredible service to others.
Use the code UQCOOKBOOK for 10 per cent off your order.
Tirtyl
Known for their sustainable foaming hand soaps, UQ alumni May Bandi (Bachelor of Engineering ’12) and Lachlan Hill (Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Arts ’13) have created a ‘just-add-water’ home, hands and body range through their company Tirtyl.
"We launched Tirtyl to prove that it’s possible for businesses to do the right thing and be successful. We've had this philosophy embedded into how we develop and price our products since day one. Two years later, we’re so proud of the positive impact we've made. Since January 2021, we've prevented over 1 million plastic bottles from being purchased, and collected over 2.7 million bottles of ocean-bound plastic with Plastic Bank!"
Use UQALUM20 for a discount until June 2023.
Vessel Nundah
If you’re looking for a Brisbane-based gift for the sustainably minded, look no further then Marion Glover’s (Bachelor of Environmental Management ’10, Graduate Certificate in Public Health ’16) social enterprise, Vessel Nundah – a zero-waste skincare and cleaning product-delivery service for the Brisbane City Council area.
“I started Vessel Nundah in 2018 to challenge the situation at the time; that refill options in Brisbane were limited, and very expensive. Every time you refill your containers at Vessel Nundah, you are making a tangible positive impact, and casting a vote for the alternative, lower-impact models of consumption we need to transition to.”
A gift they’ll use again and again and again.
Monty Compost Co
Monty Compost Co. is the next generation of smart composting. Brought to you by the innovative Ashley Baxter (Bachelor of Business Management ’18, Bachelor of Information Technology ’19), this is a clever gift to help optimise the composting process.
“I founded Monty Compost Co to help make composting easy and efficient for everyone through the power of technology.”
Ashley tried her hand studying psychology, business and IT before finding her place in the UQ Ventures program, which helped her launch Monty. In 2019, Ashley won the Shane Chidgzey Young Entrepreneurs Prize for Monty Compost Co (then, EarthOffset) in the UQ Ventures iLab accelerator program.
Use the code CONTACTMAG22 before the end of the year to receive 20 per cent off.
Miks Chai
For Mikhara (Miks) Ramsing (Bachelor of Laws (Honours) ’14, Bachelor of Economics (Honours) ’15), brewing her Aaji’s (grandmother’s) chai was synonymous with starting conversations and sharing stories. Ten years after coming out to her family, Miks bought a ute and travelled rural Australia to share her story with local communities to increase awareness around mental health. During this trip, the idea for Miks Chai was born – when you make chai, you share stories and sharing stories saves lives.
“I knew that I’d found my place to make an impact in the world. Sharing my story years ago had saved my life, making me feel connected. Miks Chai supports mental health and wellbeing through a range of teas and donates 50 per cent of profits to suicide prevention.”
Buy a cuppa for someone you care about.
Lyre's Spirit Co.
If this is the first you're hearing of Lyre's Spirit Co., we can guarantee it won't be the last. Stocked in supermarkets globally, as the most awarded non-alcoholic spirits in the world, Lyre’s Spirit Co. is guaranteed to be a quality gift!
UQ graduate and serial entrepreneur Carl Hartmann (Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Business Management '05) co-founded Lyre’s Spirit Co, so people could indulge in a drink and still drive.
“Enjoy your favourite cocktails at-home. Sophisticated Serves have been meticulously crafted to bottle that true made-in-a-bar quality, so you can enjoy a premium classic cocktail anywhere, anytime.”
Before Lyre’s Spirit Co., Carl co-founded Temando, one of Australia’s largest and most successful technology start-ups, and Compono, a human-resources software company. In 2021, Hartmann also established the Carl Hartmann Scholarship for Future Entrepreneurs, UQ’s first permanently endowed scholarship for entrepreneurial students.
Use code HUZZA10 for a discount on the Lyre’s range.
Milton Rum
Managing Director Alexander Bell (Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Business Management ’18) has the rum-lovers in your life covered with Milton Rum’s fresh approach to the Australian rum scene. The Spiced Cane Spirit is his pick for the holiday season.
“With lemon myrtle, citrus, rose petals and Christmas spices, it’s Christmas in a glass. A beautiful representation of an Australian spiced rum.”
During Alexander’s time at UQ, he nurtured and developed his idea through UQ’s Idea Hub – a startup pre-incubator for aspiring entrepreneurs. In 2020, only 2 years after launching, Alexander was a finalist in the Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd Award for Young Business Person of the Year.
Use the code uqalumni22 for a discount on your order.
Luke Maninov Jewelry
If you’re shopping for a meaningful gift, you can’t go past the striking collection of Luke Maninov Jewelry. Combining art and science, Luke Hammond’s (Bachelor of Science (Honours) ’05) range of fine jewellery is influenced by his background as a neuroscience imaging scientist at UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute.
“We are amidst a revolution in scientific imaging, especially for brain science. Our growing capability to make the invisible visible is revealing previously unknown worlds of hidden beauty within us. As we explore these worlds, we are making profound discoveries about disease, consciousness, and ourselves.”
These unique jewels are inspired by glimpses of the invisible microscopic universe within, and combine diamonds and sapphires with organic textures and precision hand-detailing.
Use the code CONTACTUQ for 15 per cent off any purchase until May 2023.
Bush Journal
Published and edited by Jessica Howard (Bachelor of Journalism ’03), Bush Journal is a beautiful gift for those whose hearts lie in regional and rural Australia. After pursuing her journalism education at UQ and then her career overseas, she’s now back in Queensland and sharing regional stories through Bush Journal.
“Most Australians live on the coastal fringe within cooee of a neighbour, and yet there’s an enduring sense the spirit of our country lies beyond the Great Dividing Range.”
Explore the soul of rural Australia with a subscription to Bush Journal, a quarterly publication featuring heartfelt writing and stunning photography from around the country.
Use the code UQ10 for a 10 per cent discount on an annual subscription.
Kurin Organics
Taking an artisanal approach to the science of soap-making, Ian Ling (Bachelor of Business Management ’18) and Dr Kok Leong Chong (UQ Centre for Clinical Research biochemist) have combined their expertise to create a range of designer hand soaps and detergents.
Kurin Organics is one business in a long list of successful startups to come out of UQ's Ventures’ accelerator program, ilab.
“Kurin's Secret Scenta Hand Wash is inspired by the festive pumpkin-spiced latte. Take a sniff and you'll discover notes of clove, cinnamon, almond and vanilla. How Christmas-y is that!”
Use the code UQChristmas22 to buy 3 Secret Scenta Christmas Handwash and get one free.
Books
From fact to fiction to finance and fitness – this selection of suggestions is sure to satisfy the range of readers in your life.
- For advice on teen girls
L Platers by journalist, author, media commentator and former host of Mornings on ABC Radio Brisbane, Madonna King (Bachelor of Arts ’85). - For financial freedom
Ditch the debt and get rich by one of Australia's most popular personal finance commentators and Canstar's Editor-at-Large, Effie Zahos (Bachelor of Economics ’90). - For an insiders account on foreign affairs
The Consul by former head of Australia’s consular service, Chair of the UQ ChangeMakers Alumni Board and Vice-Chancellor's Alumni Excellence Award recipient, Ian Kemish (Bachelor of Arts ‘87). - For good gut health
Eat more, live well by internationally renowned gut health expert, Dr Megan Rossi (Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Science) ’15). - For feeling empowered and educated
Egg Shell Skull by best-selling and award-winning author, journalist and activist, Bri Lee (Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Hons) ’14, Master of Philosophy ’20). - For a connection to country
Bush Life by photographer, writer and journalist, Jessica Howard (Bachelor of Journalism ’03). - For reflections on Tiddaism, identity and reconciliation
Sister girl by Bidjara and Birri-Guba Juru woman and internationally recognised author, historian and activist, Jackie Huggins AM (Bachelor of Arts ’87, Doctor of The University honoris causa ’06).
We hope you've found some present inspiration! You can support our alumni by following them on social media and sharing this guide with your friends.
If you know an alum who should be featured above – please reach out via email at contactmagazine@uq.edu.au.
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