CQUniversity alumnus named Sunshine Coast Citizen of the Year
CQUniversity alumnus Dr Selina Tomasich has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to communities both in Australia and abroad, recently being named Sunshine Coast Citizen of the Year.
Dr Tomasich, the Founder and CEO of international charity Hair Aid, said receiving the award was “incredibly humbling.”
“To be recognised alongside so many inspiring people in our region was overwhelming in the best possible way,” she said.
“For me, it’s never been about a title – it’s about the thousands of lives that have been changed through Hair Aid. The award really belongs to our volunteers, our trainees, and the communities who trust us to walk alongside them.”
Dr Tomasich completed her Master of Management (Human Resources) at CQUniversity in 2006 and said her time at CQU played a pivotal role in shaping her future as a social impact leader.
“CQU gave me not just academic knowledge, but confidence. It helped me think critically, communicate clearly, and understand systems and governance in a way that later became essential when building Hair Aid," she said.
"The foundation I gained there allowed me to grow a grassroots idea into an organisation with strong structures, compliance, and accountability."
Since establishing Hair Aid, Selina has led 51 international projects and trained more than 7,000 people in haircutting skills, providing pathways to income generation and financial independence for families around the world.
Hair Aid has also recently been granted permanent access to work inside men’s and women’s prisons in Bali – a first for any charity – and is preparing to open its first permanent training academy in Quezon City.
In Australia, the organisation’s Hair Aid Community Cuts program operates across more than 100 locations, gifting around 20,000 free haircuts each year to people experiencing hardship.
Hair Aid’s work has been recognised through numerous national and international awards, including multiple Gold and Silver Stevie Awards, top three placement in the Telstra Business Awards from 21,000 nominations, and recognition from the Victorian and Queensland Governments.
Despite the accolades, Dr Tomasich said the true impact happens far from the spotlight.
“A skill can change a life. A haircut can restore dignity. That’s the real success story," she said.
Dr Tomasich has also recently completed her Doctorate of Law, another milestone in her remarkable career dedicated to empowerment, dignity, and social change.
CQUniversity congratulates Dr Tomasich on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates her ongoing contribution to communities around the world.
