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UNSW Alumni Awards past winners

We acknowledge and celebrate the tremendous achievements in our alumni community in art, culture, innovation, entrepreneurship, research, and social impact making a profound impact here and around the globe.

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UNSW 2021 Alumni Award winners: Jessie Tu, Philip Lowe, Alison Creagh, Will On, Nicholas Talley, Khadim Ali, Cassandra Goldie and Rob Hango-Zada.

  • Art & Culture

    Seb Chan

    Seb Chan is the Director & CEO of ACMI and has driven the digital and experiential transformation of museums globally, fostering innovation at the intersection of media, technology, and culture, while promoting open access and collaboration in the arts and heritage sectors.

    Professional Achievement

    Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM

    Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM is an author, columnist and keynote speaker. Kirstin champions leadership, gender equality, and workplace culture, leveraging her diverse experience across sectors to inspire positive change in organisations and promote inclusive leadership on a global scale.

    Research and Teaching Achievement

    Dr Jessie Christiansen

    Dr Jessie Christiansen is an astronomer and has advanced our understanding of exoplanets and shaped the future of space exploration through her leadership at NASA, contributing to groundbreaking discoveries and inspiring the next generation of scientists.

    Yao May Wong

    Yao May Wong is the Head of Mathematics and Science at Kincoppal-Rose Bay and has advanced excellence in mathematics and science education, fostering innovation in teaching practices, and inspiring both students and colleagues through her leadership and dedication to lifelong learning.

    Social Impact & Service

    Adjunct Professor Kieran Hynes

    Adjunct Professor Kieran Hynes is Founder & CEO of Willyama Services and has championed cybersecurity across government and commercial sectors, advocating for the security of national supply chains, and empowering Indigenous and disability communities through his leadership in both industry and non-profits.

    Young Alumni Award

    Chanel Contos

    Chanel Contos is the author and Founder of Teach Us Consent and has lead the national movement for consent education in Australia, championing legal reforms against sexual violence, and advocating for gender equality, earning recognition for her efforts to dismantle rape culture and inspire lasting societal change.

    Chancellor's Award for Exceptional Alumni Achievement

    Alexis George

    Alexis George — CEO of AMP Limited and has lead major financial institutions through complex transformations, advocating for women in leadership, and driven strategic initiatives that shape the financial services landscape both in Australia and globally.

  • Research & Teaching Achievement

    Professor Leon Flicker AO

    Leon’s research activities have focused on the major health issues of older people, including falls, depression, and cognitive impairment. His work has made an enormous contribution to geriatric medicine and dementia prevention and care.

    Professor Si Ming Man

    Si Ming’s work in immunology has been crucial to our collective understanding of discovering new ways to fight drug-resistant bacteria and how to harness the body’s natural defence mechanisms to fight diseases.

    Professional Achievement

    Lucy McCallum

    In 2019, her Honour was elevated to the New South Wales Court of Appeal where she sat on a wide range of matters until her Honour’s appointment as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory in 2022.

    Art & Culture

    Suzie Miller

    Suzie Miller is a contemporary international playwright, screenwriter, and librettist, drawn to complex human stories often exploring injustice. Her plays have been produced in over 40 productions around the world and have won multiple prestigious awards.

    Social Impact & Service

    Michael Brosowski AM

    Michael Brosowski AM is the Founder and Strategic Director of Blue Dragon Children's Foundation in Vietnam, which is an organisation working towards the end of human trafficking. Michael is a CNN Hero and a Member of the Order of Australia. He is leading the strategy of Blue Dragon's ambitious 10-year plan to eliminate human trafficking in Vietnam.

    Innovation & Entrepreneurship

    Frances Atkins

    Frances is the co-founder of givvable.com, a tech-platform using artificial intelligence, big data, and advanced modelling to automate supplier sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) diligence for companies.

    Young Alumni

    Rix Smith

    Rix’s passion for sustainability and business with impact has led him down the entrepreneurship path to help solve the plastic waste crisis in Southeast Asia. Ministry of Waste’s work built critical infrastructure to divert waste away from landfills and the ocean, while simultaneously improving gender equality outcomes in local Indonesian communities.

    Chancellor’s Award for Exceptional Alumni Achievement

    Senator Jim Molan AO DSC

    Our 2023 Chancellor's Award for Exceptional Alumni Achievement was awarded posthumously to the late Senator Jim Molan AO DSC. Andrew James (Jim) Molan was a soldier, a pilot, an author, a linguist, a diplomat, a volunteer firefighter, and a senator. Jim entered the Senate in December 2017, and through committee and other advocacy work campaigned tirelessly for a national security strategy.

    Jim died on 16 January 2023. His legacy is his family, and his immeasurable contribution to a safer and more secure Australia.

  • Research & Teaching Achievement

    Professor Michelle Coote

    Professor Michelle Coote is a Matthew Flinders Professor in Chemistry at Flinders University, having recently moved from the Australian National University (ANU).

    Professional Achievement

    Gabby Costigan MBE

    Gabby Costigan is Group Managing Director, Business Development for BAE Systems., and a passionate advocate for championing women in defence and women in STEM across Australia.

    After graduating with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering Gabby joined the Australian Army, eventually retiring as a Colonel after a distinguished career that included operational experience commanding logistic operations for both Australian and US deployed military forces.

    Art & Culture

    Patricia Adjei

    Patricia Adjei is a Wuthathi, Mabuiag Islander and Ghanaian woman and arts and ICIP advocate from Warrane/Sydney.

    Patricia holds a B.Arts and Law from UNSW Sydney and is the Head of First Nations Arts and Culture at the Australia Council for the Arts.Patricia has worked on developing the Protocols for using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property in the Arts.

    After graduating with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering Gabby joined the Australian Army, eventually retiring as a Colonel after a distinguished career that included operational experience commanding logistic operations for both Australian and US deployed military forces.

    Social Impact & Service

    Simone Abel

    Simone Abel was Capital Punishment Justice Project’s Chief Executive Officer (‘CPJP’, formerly Reprieve Australia) since 2020.

    Simone joined CPJP in 2020, having previously been a Director of Reprieve UK for seven years. In this time, Simone helped professionalise and grow Reprieve. Her focus has been on strategy, policy and governance of organisations that seek accountability of governments for extreme rights abuses, including the death penalty.

    Innovation & Entrepreneurship

    Dr Aengus Tran

    Dr Aengus Tran is the cofounder and CEO of harrison.ai, a Sydney med-tech company that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to build powerful tools for clinicians that help scale the global capacity of healthcare.

    Aengus trained as a medical doctor at UNSW Sydney. At the same time, he is also a skilled AI engineer with a deep passion for applying the latest advancement in technology to save lives.

    Young Alumni

    Dr Mayooran Namasivayam

    Dr. Mayooran Namasivayam is a staff specialist cardiologist and cardiac imaging specialist at the St. Vincent’s Hospital Campus, Sydney. He is the Associate Director of Echocardiography at St. Vincent’s Hospital.

    Mayooran is actively involved in the structural heart interventional program as an interventional echocardiography specialist and has performed over 1000 transoesophageal echocardiography procedures.

    Chancellor’s Award for Exceptional Alumni Achievement

    Dr Robyn Denholm

    Robyn Denholm is a leading global technology executive. She is Chair of the Board of Directors of Tesla Inc., Operating Partner of Blackbird Ventures and Chair of The Technology Council of Australia.

    Robyn joined the Tesla Board in 2014 as an Independent Director and Chair of the Audit Committee. She was appointed to serve as Independent Chair of the Board of Directors in November 2018 and re-elected as Chair in 2020. Robyn joined Blackbird Ventures as an Operating Partner in January 2021, in this role she works with the founders of later stage technology companies to help them scale and succeed.

    In addition, Robyn is actively stewarding the Australian technology sector as Chair of The Australian Tech Council, which was launched in 2021, with an ambition to get 1.2 million people into Australian tech jobs by 2030.

  • Research & Teaching Achievement

    Professor Nick Talley AC

    Laureate Professor Nick Talley is an expert clinician, educator and researcher, with extensive experience as a leader in the medical and university sectors. Professor Talley completed a Bachelor of ‪Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery with UNSW in 1979. A neurogastroenterologist, Professor Talley has published over 1000 papers in the peer-reviewed literature and is considered one of the world’s most influential clinician-app.

    Professional Achievement

    Brigadier Alison Creagh AM CSC (Retd)

    Brigadier Alison Creagh AM CSC (Retd) is aChair, Non-Executive Director and Strategic Adviser and in 2021 was recognised as anoutstanding Defence Ambassador for theAustralian Capital Territory.Following 30 years of dedicated service, Alison retired from the Australian Regular Army in March 2015. Over her career, Alison planned and supported numerous operations in Australia and overseas,includingdeployments to Cambodia, East Timor, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

    Art, Design & Culture

    Khadim Ali

    Khadim Ali is a Pakistani Asian Modern & Contemporary artist whose work has featured in numerous exhibitions at key galleries and museums, including the Institute of Modern Art (IMA) and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Khadim studied miniature painting at the National College of Arts, Lahor, calligraphy at Tehran University, Iran and completed a Master of Fine Art at UNSW Art & Design in 2015.

    As a child, Khadim was deeply influenced by his grandfather, a Shanamah singer, and by the miniature paintings that illustrated the stories of the Shanamah, a tenth-century epic poem. Khadim’s intricate works encompass imagery from history, politics, literature, poetry and mythology to explore contemporary events such as the civil war in Afghanistan and personal experiences of persecution, displacement and discrimination.

    Social Impact & Service

    Dr Cassandra Goldie

    Cassandra Goldie is CEO of ACOSS, the peak body for the community sector, and Adjunct Professor at UNSW Sydney. With public policy expertise in economic and social issues, civil society, social justice and human rights, Cassandra has represented the interests of people who are disadvantaged in national and international processes, as well as in grassroots communities. Prior to joining ACOSS, Cassandra held senior roles with the Australian Human Rights Commission, Darwin Community Legal Service and Legal Aid in Western Australia.

    Innovation & Entrepreneurship

    Robert Hango-Zada & William On

    Rob Hango-Zada is the Co-Founder & Joint CEO of APAC’s fast-growing shipping platform, Shippit. He brings a common-sense & customer-centric approach to Australian retailing. Having spent a decade working for the world’s leading FMCG businesses (Procter & Gamble, Unilever) across Asia, Rob has vast experience in converting customer insight and analytics into growth driving strategies for retailers such as Woolworths, Coles, Tesco & Priceline and numerous global brands. Rob’s frustration as an online shopper drove him to co-found Shippit with William On to enhance the post-purchase experience from cart to doorstep and back again. Shippit now powers delivery for leading retailers such as General Pants, Cue Clothing, Sephora, The Athlete’s Foot and more. Outside of work, Rob is a big fan of bold red wine, fancy socks and good design.

    Will On is Co-Founder and CEO of Shippit, APAC’s fast-growing shipping technology company founded in Australia. Hailing from management consultancies Deloitte and PWC, Will spearheaded the platform’s 300% year-on-year growth across Australia and New Zealand and now oversees Shippit’s expansion into South East Asia. Shippit currently handles over 50 million shipments annually, looking after some of the world’s largest retailers such as Sephora, UNIQLO, Cotton On and Harvey Norman. In his spare time Will plays competitive basketball, enjoys a run and a glass of red!

    Rob & Will were both UNSW Co-op scholars, graduating from BSc BIT (Business Information Technology)with 1st Class Honours. Learn more about the

    Young Alumni

    Jessie Tu

    Jessie Tu trained as a classical violinist for more than 15 years and undertook a B.Music/B.Music Education at UNSW.She is the emerging book critic atThe AgeandSydney Morning Herald, and a journalist and cultural editor atWomen's Agenda. Her work has been published inThe Guardian,L.A Review of BooksandSouth China Morning Post. Jessie has won several poetry and writing awards and her first book of poetry,You Should Have Told Me We Have Nothing Leftwas released in 2018.A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thingis her first novel.

    Chancellor’s Award for Exceptional Alumni Achievement

    Dr Philip Lowe

    Philip Lowe is Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia.

    Mr Lowe holds a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a B.Comm (Honours) in Economics/Econometrics from the University of New South Wales. He has authored numerous papers, including on the linkages between monetary policy and financial stability. He commenced as Governor on 18 September 2016.

  • Research Achievement

    Professor Tamara Davis,AM BSc/BA ’99, PhD (Physics) ’04

    Tamara Davis isa cosmologist working as a Professor and Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow at the University of Queensland.Her research explores new fundamental physics, particularly the properties of dark energy and dark matter. Her work and insights are significantly advancing our understanding of the universe, helping us better understand the fundamental laws of nature.

    Professional Achievement

    The Honourable David Dak Wah Wong BCom ’76, LLB ‘77

    David Wong is therecently retiredChief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, High Court of Sabah, Malaysia.In holding this esteemed position since 2018, David is the first UNSW Law alumnus in history to be appointed to the apex court of a nation, representing extraordinary recognition of standing, experience, and legal skills.

    Art & Culture

    Lynette Wallworth DipArt ’81, BAVA (Conv) ’85

    LynetteWallworthis an acclaimed Australian artist and film maker, an Emmy and AACTA award-winning director, and is widely regarded as a pioneer in the field of virtual reality (VR).Her artwork and films, whichreflect on the connections between people and the natural world, have resonated with audiences in Australia and beyond.

    Social Impact & Service

    Dr Terri Janke BA LLB ’95

    Terri Janke is a proud Wuthathi and Meriam woman and Indigenous lawyer, who is considered a leading international authority on Indigenous cultural and intellectual property.Throughout her 24 years as a lawyer, Terri’s mission has been to further Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander empowerment, and she is known for her innovation in establishing productive new business pathways between the non-Indigenous business sector and Indigenous people.

    Innovation & Entrepreneurship

    Moses Lo BCom ‘10

    Moses is the founder and CEO of Xendit, a payments infrastructure business in Southeast Asia. He founded the company in 2015 and has since built it into what is now one of the fastest growing payment companies in the world.

    Young Alumni

    Teela May Reid JD ’16

    Teela Reid is an activist, lawyer, and proud Wiradjuri and Wailwan woman from Gilgandra in Western NSW. She is currently a criminal defence lawyer at Legal Aid NSW and a passionate advocate for abolishing systemic racism in the criminal justice process and the Australian Constitution.

    Chancellor’s Award for Exceptional Alumni Achievement

    Dr Kerry Chant, PSM MB BS ’87, MHA ’91, MPH ’95

    Dr Kerry Chant is the Chief Health Officer and Deputy Secretary, Population and Public Health, NSW Health. Kerry has extensive public health experience in New South Wales, having held a range of senior positions in NSW Health since 1991.She currently leads the Population and Public Health Division, which has accountabilities for a broad portfolio of issues including communicable disease control, prevention of chronic diseases, drug and alcohol, research translation, and health system response to acute and emerging clinical issues.

  • Social Impact & Public Policy

    Dr Simon Adams, BA 1994, PhD (History) 1998

    Dr Simon Adamsworkswith governments andthe United Nationsto advocateforthe preventionofcrimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide.A passionate human rights advocate, Simon is Executive Director of the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, established in 2008with the support oftheformerUnited NationsSecretary-General Kofi Annan, Refugees International, Oxfam and Human Rights Watch. The Centre is the world’sleadingorganisationfor advancing the international norm of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) at theUNand beyond.

    Science & Technology

    Dr Edith Chow, BSc 2002, PhD (Chemistry) 2006

    Dr Edith Chow is spearheading innovative chemical sensing technologies that have the potential to revolutionise how wemonitor pollutantsanddiagnosedisease.Combining her expertise in chemistry and nanotechnology, Edith’s work at CSIRO has seen her inventa number ofbreakthrough sensing technologies designed to be portable, affordable and simple to use.

    Young Alumni

    Associate Professor Eric Chow, MPH 2012, PhD (Medicine) 2014

    Associate ProfessorEric Chow’sscientificdiscoveries in the field of sexual health areradically improvinghow the medical communitymanagesand treatssexuallytransmissibleinfections.Combining his expertise in epidemiology and biostatistics, Eric’s outstanding research in the sexual health field hasidentifiedthat saliva can carry infectious gonorrhoea, andkissing may be a risk factor for pharyngeal gonorrhoea.

    Engineering

    Professor Fariba Dehghani, PhD (Chemical Eng) 1997

    ProfessorFaribaDehghani’sground-breaking researchreduces food waste and createsnewhealth technologies,with benefits ranging fromimproved nutrition tocancer prevention.Fariba’sexpertise intissue engineering and regenerative medicineseesherextract active compounds from natural sourcesto createinnovativenew products.

    Medicine & Health

    Associate Professor Kelvin Kong, BSc (Med) MB BS 1999

    AsAustralia’s firstAboriginalsurgeon, Associate Professor Kelvin Konghastirelesslydevoted his expertise to improvingaccess to healthcare forthe Australian community, particularly Australia’s Aboriginalcommunities, breaking cycles ofdisadvantagefor Indigenous children.

    Business

    Dr Jennifer WestacottAO, BA (Business) 1982

    Chancellor's Award for Exceptional Alumni Achievement

    Ms Rebel Wilson, BA (Law and Arts) 2009

    Engineering

    Professor Yang Qixun, PhD (Electrical Engineering) 1982

  • Art & Culture

    Laura Jordan-Bambach, BFA 1996

    An innovative digital designer and one of the world’ few female Chief Creative Officers, Laura has received much global recognition for her contributions to the creative industries, and in particular for her efforts championing diversity in the arts, having co-founded influential initiatives in support of women in creative space, including SheSays and the Great British Diversity Experiment.

    Business

    Paul Clitheroe AM, BA 1984

    Paul has played a highly influential role on the financial literacy of Australians. Known as a ‘money guru’, he regularly provides financial advice through a range of publications and media appearances. In addition to his commercial success, Paul is Chairman to a number of financial organisations, including the Australian Government Financial Literacy Board. His charity, the Clitheroe Foundation, has distributed more than $2 million in grants and scholarships.

    Design & Architecture

    Dr Lucy Turnbull AO, MBA 1985, HonDBus 2012

    Chief Commissioner of the Greater Sydney Commission, and previously the first female Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney, Lucy a leading businesswoman with longstanding achievements in cities, technological and social innovation. She was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Business by UNSW in 2012, and established The Turnbull Foundation Women in Built Environment Scholarship, supporting women to join the built environment industry.

    Engineering

    Professor Elizabeth Taylor AO, BE 1978

    Elizabeth is a celebrated ‘humanitarian engineer’ whose work has spanned design and construction, academia and volunteering. Through her work with Engineers Australia she has spearheaded many progressive initiatives in support of women in engineering, as well as ethical reviews. As Chair of the Cambodian Children’s Trust Australia and RedR she has facilitated the volunteer of experts into disaster zones to help relieve suffering.

    Medicine & Health

    Dr Thomas Borody, BSc (Med) 1972, MB BS 1975, MD 1984

    As Director of Sydney’s Centre for Digestive Diseases, Tom has championed faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for 25 years. Through his pioneering work manipulating the bacteria that live in the human gut, Tom has made huge strides in establishing new treatments for Crohn's disease, colitis, auto immune-diseases and neurological conditions, while reportedly preventing 18,655 premature deaths, and saving $10.03 billion in health costs in Australia alone.

    Science & Technology

    Saul Griffith, BMetE 1997

    Saul is a multi-award winning inventor with an open approach to problem solving. Through successful startups he has invented a myriad of new devices and materials, such as a “smart” rope that senses its load, or a machine for making low-cost eyeglass lenses through a process inspired by a water droplet. His work supporting other innovative minds includes establishing Instructables.com, and co-authoring children’s comic books about building your own gadgets.

    Social Impact & Public Policy

    Henry Pan OAM, BE 1974

    Henry is the celebrated founder of CASS, a thriving community organisation for Sydney and Wollongong that offers services and support for people with culturally diverse backgrounds. Having worked in his native Singapore as well as in Australia, he has extensive professional experience in business and project management, and with Henry’s dedication and vision, today more than 2,400 families engage with CASS each week.

    Sports & Sports Administration

    Moya Dodd, MBA (Exec) 1997

    Moya is a leading legal professional and celebrated champion for women’s sport. She is a Partner at Gilbert+Tobin Lawyers, and a former Vice-Captain of Australian women’s soccer team, the Matildas. Moya has been hailed as “one of the most credible and outspoken voices for change” during her time as Chair for FIFA’s Women’s Football Task Force. She was also named the seventh most powerful woman in international sport (outside the US), by Forbes Magazine.

    Young Alumni

    Ashik Mohamed Asafali, PhD Sci 2017

    Though still quite young, Ashik has become a leading authority on Ophthalmic Biophysics, working with the L V Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad, India. He has a decade of experience in basic, clinical and translational research in ophthalmology and vision sciences, working with institutes and specialists around the world to find innovative ways to restore vision. Ashik has received several awards for his research on a national and international scale.

    Student Volunteer

    Lokesh Sharma (fourth year medical student)

    A humanitarian and student mentor, Lokesh was recognised for his committed and altruistic work as Co-Chair of the Medical Students’ Aid Project (MSAP), the global health group of the UNSW Medical Society. Lokesh led MSAP’s Gandhi Girls Project to construct 12 new toilets at a girls’ boarding school in rural India, as well as working closely on other international projects as MSAP Treasurer in 2015 and 2016.

    Chancellor’s Award for Exceptional Alumni Achievement

    Gladys Berejiklian, MCom 2001

    This year saw the inaugural presentation of the Chancellor’s Award for Exceptional Alumni Achievement. This was granted to current NSW Premier, the Hon. Gladys Berejiklian MP, Gladys has received national prominence for her work in banking and public service. As the 45th Premier of NSW, Gladys has shown passion, commitment and resilience.

  • Arts & Culture

    Ms Hetti Perkins, BA’88

    Business & Innovation

    Ms Shemara Wikramanayake, BCom/LLB’85

    Design, Engineering &Sustainability

    Professor Kenneth Maher, BArch’70 MArch’74 GradDip’76

    Medicine & Health

    Dr Graeme Clugston, AOMB BS’72

    Science & Technology

    Professor Frances Separovic, PhD’93

    Social Impact & Public Policy

    Ms Elca Grobler, MBA’06

    Sports & Sports Administration

    Ms Turia Pitt, BE/BSC’11

    Young Alumni

    Mr John Bale, BA’04 BA (Hons)’06 MA’09 MMgtStud’11

    Ms Caitlin Barrett, BInSt’12 MDS’15

    Student Volunteer

    Ms Beryl Lin, Medicine

  • Arts and Culture

    Mr Shaun E Gladwell (MFA'05)

    Mr John M Green (LLB'77)

    Mrs Jenny Green (BSc'76)

    Business and Innovation

    Mr Robert Cameron (BE'74)

    Design, Engineering and Sustainability

    Dr Peter Cousins (BE'01 PhD'05)

    Medicine and Health

    Adjunct Professor Betty Kitchener (BA'79)

    Social Impact and Public Policy

    Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn (BA'95)

    Science and Technology

    Professor Margaret Sheil (BSc'84 PhD'88)

    Sport and Sport Administration

    Mr Usman Khawaja (BAv'09)

    International Alumni Volunteer

    Dr Eddy Sariaatmadja (BE'79 MEngSc'81 HonDUni'14)

    Young Alumni

    Mr Tim Fung (BCom'06)
    Mr Jonathan Lui(BE'06)

    Young Student Volunteer

    Mr George Pasas (Commerce/Law)

  • Melissa W Chiu

    Jacqueline M Thomas

    Corrin Varady

    Alexandra J Blackwell

    Mahalingam Sinnathamby

    Luca A Belgiorno-Nettis

    Bronwyn M Gould

    Glenn Keys

    James H Nguyen

    Peter R Hearl

    Robert S Dwyer

  • Dr Aihua Wang PhD'93

    Dr Daniel Petre AO BSc'81 HonDBus'13

    Ms Del Kathryn Barton BFA'94

    Scientia Professor Deo-Karan Prasad AO MArch’88 MSc(Building)’90 PhD’93

    Mr Jeremy Balkin BCom’05

    Dr Jianhua Zhao PhD'90

    Margaret O'Neill BOptom Hons'91

  • General David Hurley, AC DSC BA (Mil) '75

    Mr Wong Fong Fui, BE '69

    Mr Michael Cannon-Brookes, BSc '02

    Mr Peter Mattick BCom, '75

    Ms Rachel Davis LLB, '03 BA '03

    Professor Richard Johnson, AO BArch '69

    Dr Robert Care AM, BE '73 PhD '78

    Dr Robert Maple-Brown, AO BCom '65 HonDBus '08

    Mr Scott Farquhar, BSc '03

    Professor Terence Campbell, AM BSc (Med) '72 MBBS '75 MD '91

  • No awards presented

  • Adam M Brimo

    Andrew Haesler

    Charles Teo

    Glenn Murcutt

    Nicholas Moore

    Rachel C Smith

  • Catherine M Harris

    Christopher G Roberts

    Janet Laurence

    Rebecca J Zaman

    Rebecca R Barnes

    Stuart R Wenham

    Leigh M Dunlop

  • Caitlin R Orr

    Guido J Belgiorno-Nettis

    Kathryn T Greiner

    Kirstin A Hunter

    Liane A Rossler

    Louise Olsen

    Ran Tao

    Robert L Every

    Stephen B Ormandy

  • Angela M Barrett

    Angela T Titmuss

    Victoria A Tan

  • David P Hume

    Eunice Y Liu

    Jeffery W Forrest

    Michael K Thornell

    Michael Carr-Gregg

    Juliet Bourke

    Paul Cave

    Zhengrong Shi

  • Danny Yap

    Frances C Foster-Thorpe

    Alan O Trounson

    Dagmar B Schmidmaier

    Peter C Farrell

    Simon J Rice

  • Dr John Prescott, AC BCom '62 HonDSc '95

    Ms Jillian Segal, AM BA '77 LLB '79

    Professor Susan Hayes, AO BA '68 PhD '74

    Scientia Professor Gordon Parker, AO MD '78 PhD '83 DSc '97

    David A Hughes

  • David H Trinh

    Dean Kelly

    John S Vedelago

    Shaun C Chau

    Vanessa Y Mak

    Jimmy J Koh

    Douglas Daft

    Sharan L Burrow

    Steven Krilis

    Wallace M King

  • Ms Vivi Koutsounadis-Germanos, OAM BA '69 DipPsychol '71

    Mr David Gonski, AC BCom '76 LLB '77

    Professor Levon Khachigian, BSc '86 PhD '93 DSc '04

    Professor Janette Brand-Miller, AM BSc '75 PhD '79

    Professor Robyn Ward, AM MBBS '84 PhD '94

    Mr Dallas Clarke, BSc '03 LLB '03

    Lisa J Renkin

    Natalie S Kalfus

  • Ek-Khai Tan

    Gregory J Fox

    Mia L Sturrock

    Rosalind J Dixon

    John R Niland

  • Reverend Bill Crews AM JP BE '68

    Ms Brenda L Croft MArtAdmin '95

    Dr Tim Flannery PhD '85

    Dato David Koh BSc '72

    Bassina Farbenblum

    Elizabeth J Floyd

    Peter C Alexander

    Soji Swaraj

  • Mr Stuart Hornery, AO BSc (Tech) '64

    Dr George Miller, AO MBBS '71 HonDLitt '99

    Dr Colin Ward, BSc '65 PhD '68

    Mr Neville Whiffen, OAM MSc '56

    Ms Eva Cox, AO BA '75

    David M Eyers

  • The Honourable Robert (Bob)Carr MP BA '69

    Mr Neil (Nobby) Clark AO BCom '73

    Professor The Honourable Justice Annabelle Bennett LLB '80

    Mr Mark Rayner BSc '61

    Professor George Paxinos AO DSc '94

    Professor Bettina Cass AO BA '72 PhD '84

    Professor Lynner Billard BSc '66 PhD '69

    Holly C Gerard

    John C Lee

    Michael D Campion

    Sai Y Yeung

    Tamara J Mackean

  • Dr Doreen Clark AM PhD '65

    Mr Robert Fitzgerald AM BCom '77 LLB '79

    Dr Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom BEng '72 PhD '76

    Mr John Uhrig AC BSc '58

    Mr Alex Buzo BA '66

  • Mr Donald McDonald AO BCom '61

    Ms Gai Waterhouse BA '75

    Mr Geoffrey Lawson OAM BOptom '84

    Dr Ian Lowe AO BSc (Hons) '67

  • Dr Mah Bow Tan BEng '71 MEng '73

    Mr Jeremy Philips BA LLB '95

    Mr Gary Proctor GradDip '82 GradDipProfArtStudies '89 MFA '94

    Mr Noel Slarke MSc '76

    Mr Mark Taylor AO BSurv '88

    Ms Claire Williams BA '92

    Ms Joachim Delaney BA LLB '95

    Mr Benjamin Zipser BCom LLB '92

    Allan J Birimac

  • Mr George William Hanna BBuild (Hons) '63

    Professor Clifford Frederick Hughes AO MBBS '69

    Mr Phillip Christian Hercus AO BSc (Tech) '68

    Ms Rosemary Jane Kayess BSoSc '93

    Dr Ronald Lu BArch '70

    Mr Gary Milton Pemberton AC BSc '61

  • Mr Rodney Adler AM BCom '81

    Professor Henry Brodaty AO MD '85

    Mr George Comino OAM BSc '65 MEd '74

    Emeritus Professor Ross Griffith BSc '61

    Professor Trang Thomas AM BA (Hons) '69

    Paul A Hogan

    Quang-Phu Ho

    Rebecca Peters

  • Professor John J Bosco MBBS '70

    Mr Jimmy C S Lim BArch '69

    Larissa J Behrendt

    Rebecca E Scott

  • No awards presented

  • Associate Professor Veronica James OAM PhD '71

    Dr Liu Thai Ker BArch '63

    Mr Warwick Love BCom LLB '88 (posthumous)

    Mr Emery Schubert BE '88

    Mr Heinz Richard Harant BE '55

    Lawrence Hyde

    Richard L Pulley

  • His Honour Judge Robert Bellear BJuris LLB '79

    Mr Jeremy Wright BE '74 MBA '77

    Mr Simon Poidevin OAM BSc (Hons) '83

    Paul Nicolaou

  • Dr Peter Garret AM LLB '77

    Mr Peter Ritchie AO BCom '66

    Anthony A Mealor

    Sally A Mackinnon

  • Mr Kevin James Rice BArch '55 MBA '76

    Peter A Lynch

  • Ms Carmel Josephine Niland AM BA '65

    Mr Paul Thomas Coe BJuris '82

    Paul A Elton

  • Dr Rhonda Gae McIver BSc '67 PhD '72 MBA '78

    Mr Henry (A.J.) Donegan MSc '55

    Dr Sastrosoenarto Hartarto AO BSc '59

    Bradley J Fitzmaurice

    Noel A Blomeley

  • Lynette M Trent

  • Peter X Thompson

  • Robert Biddell

  • Dr Patricia June O'Shane AM LLB '76

    Carmel V Reading

  • Mr Michael Grace AM BCom '64

    Emertius Professor Ronald Werner AM BSc '52 MSc '53 PhD '58

    Guy B Marks

  • No awards presented

  • Ms Patricia Boero BA '79

  • Dr John Vinen MBBS '78 MHP '89

  • Ms Susan Churchman LLB '77

    Mr Tjerk Dusseldorp LLB '77

    Dr Glenden Maberly BSc(Med) '75 MD '84

  • No awards presented

  • Ms Margaret Fischer BA '74 DipEd '75

    Professor Phillip Morris BSc(Med) '73 MBBS '75

  • Rabbi Dr Jeffrey Cohen BCom '73

    Dr Peter Reynolds OAM BArch '69 PhD '74

  • Dr Rajanishwar Gyaneshwar MBBS '73

    Mr Peter Harley BCom '73

  • Mr Robert Hay MSc '72

    Ms Judith Miller BA '71 DipEd '72

    Mr Patrick Wilson BA '72

Nomination process

Selection criteria

The UNSW Alumni Awards program is an exciting opportunity for the UNSW community to discover and celebrate the visionaries, pioneers, innovators and change-makers within our alumni community. For all categories, preference is given to nominees whose work, whether professional or volunteer, demonstrates a significant positive impact that has been felt by many. Nominations should include evidence of achievements and their impact.

As a university committed to diversity and inclusivity, we encourage you to consider remarkable graduates from a broad range of backgrounds.

Categories

Art and Culture

Recognising alumni who have made positive contributions to society and the arts through design, creative and cultural disciplines. The nomination should clearly outline how the nominee has:

  • Made outstanding contributions to the arts and/or humanities.
  • Enriched their community's cultural offering and reputation, whether through fine arts, entertainment, artisanship, or other related disciplines.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Recognising visionary alumni who are forward-thinking leaders in their industry, profession, or area of expertise.

  • The nominee demonstrates the ability to recognise, and act upon, opportunities and works to promote and facilitate innovation in industry
  • The nominee demonstrates the importance of entrepreneurship to effect positive change

Professional Achievement

Recognising outstanding alumni who have made significant contributions to their chosen field or profession, including but not limited to industry, government and sport. The nomination should clearly outline how the nominee has:

  • Achieved sustained success over their career that is noteworthy and exceptional.
  • Contributed significantly to the growth, reach or impact of their industry or profession.

Research and Teaching Achievement

Recognising the work of alumni whose research and/or educational practice has produced innovative new solutions, significantly advanced knowledge and practice in their field and is a leader as recognised by their peers. The nomination should clearly outline how the nominee demonstrates:

  • Excellence in research, leading to the advancement of knowledge in their own fields, discoveries with significant impact on society, and engagement of students in the process and/or
  • Excellence in education, making impactful contributions that have made an indelible mark on the realms of education, fostering positive change and inspiring future generations.

Social Impact and Service

Recognising alumni who are making a tangible difference to people’s lives, the environment, or the world through their organisation, volunteering or other service to the community. The nomination should clearly outline how the nominee has:

  • Made a significant positive impact to the social, economic, political and/or environmental challenges facing communities.
  • Dedicated their time to advocate on social issues and generate positive social change.

Young Alumni Award

Recognising outstanding alumni aged 35 or younger who have achieved significant success or impact in a short career span. The nomination should clearly outline how the nominee demonstrates:

  • Contributions and impact that inspires the next generation of graduates and the community at large.
  • Leadership qualities in a variety of contexts that could include volunteering, community or professional work which is extraordinary for their age.

Eligibility

  • Any UNSW graduate is eligible to be nominated.
  • A UNSW graduate may not nominate themselves.
  • Current UNSW staff (even if alumni) are not eligible for nomination.
  • Young Alumni nominees must be aged 35 years or younger at the close of the nomination period.

Nomination guidelines

  • Nominations for Alumni Awards may be submitted by anyone including alumni, staff, students and members of the wider community.
  • Nominations can be supported by a second person if deemed relevant.
  • The nominator and seconder are invited to provide supporting evidence.

Judging process

  • Members of the Alumni Awards Committee review all nominations, then meet together to assess as a group and agree on the winners.
  • The Committee is made up of UNSW graduates from multiple faculties, representing a diverse range of ages, professional experience, and cultural backgrounds.
  • The Committee has a focus on inclusivity, diversity and fair representation of our alumni cohort when considering nominations
  • The number of awards may vary from year to year and the Alumni Awards Committee reserves the right to make no award in a particular year.
  • The decision of the Alumni Awards Committee will be final and conclusive, no correspondence regarding decisions will be entered into.

UNSW disclaimer

All information provided in the nomination forms will be verified by the University prior to the presentation of candidates to the Alumni Awards Committee.

Can I nominate someone for more than one Alumni Award category?

No. Nominations will only be accepted for a graduate in one category in the same year. However, the Alumni Awards Committee may move a nominee from one category to another if appropriate.

Can I nominate myself for an Alumni Award?

No, unfortunately, the nomination cannot come from the nominee.

Can I nominate someone who has previously been nominated?

Yes, you may nominate someone who has been previously nominated. Previous winners however are not eligible.

Can I nominate a UNSW staff member?

No, unfortunately, UNSW staff can not be nominated and are not eligible.

What should the Statement of Support include?

The Statement of Support should clearly state why the nominee should be considered for the selected Alumni Award category and should include evidence. You may wish to include examples of their work.

When will winners be announced to the public?

Winners will be announced in late 2025.

Who chooses the winners?

The Alumni Awards Committee, comprising representatives from the UNSW alumni community, will review all nominations and choose the winners.