As UOW marked 50 years since becoming an independent institution, the 2025 Alumni Awards were renamed to honour individuals who have contributed significantly to our history and impact over the past five decades. We were also excited to award a bespoke award to mark this auspicious milestone, the 50th Anniversary Council Award for Excellence.
| Year | Award | Winner | UOW Degree/s |
|---|---|---|---|
2025 |
Professor Justin Yerbury AM Award for Research and Scholarship |
Professor Ranjith Gamage |
Doctor of Philosophy |
|
Jillian Broadbent AC Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
Carolyn Hough |
Bachelor of Arts - Bachelor of Laws |
|
|
Dr Aunty Barbara Nicholson Award for Social Impact |
Dr Scott Avery |
Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) |
|
|
Dr Guy Warren AM Award for Arts and Culture |
Gill Minervini |
Master of Creative Arts |
|
|
Dr Guy Warren AM Award for Arts and Culture |
Kirli Saunders OAM |
Bachelor of Primary Education |
|
|
Professor Ken McKinnon AO Award for Young Alumni |
Dr Sabine Bellstedt |
Bachelor of Science Advanced (Physics |
|
|
50th Anniversary Council Award for Excellence |
Distinguished Professor Gerry Swiegers |
|
|
| 2024 |
Professional Excellence |
Doctor of Philosophy (Biology), 2000 |
|
|
Young Alumni |
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of International Studies, 2022 |
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|
Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
Bachelor of Commerce (Accountancy), 1998 |
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Social Impact |
Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Trauma and Recovery Practice, 2016 |
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Research and Scholarship |
Doctor of Philosophy (Computer Science), 2001 |
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|
Arts and Culture |
Bachelor of Creative Arts, 1997 |
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| 2023 |
Professional Excellence | Professor Faye McMillan AM FPS | Master of Indigenous Health, 2006 |
| Young Alumni | Dr Natalie Matosin |
Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours), 2011 |
|
| Social Impact | Honorary Professor Tanya Buchanan | Doctor of Philosophy, 2021 | |
| Innovation and Entrepreneurship | Paul Smith | Associate Diploma in Sports Science, 1986 | |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Group) | Glenn Farrant and Jahmai Lay |
Glenn holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Science), 1994 Jahmai holds a Bachelor of Computer Science, 2004 |
|
| Research & Scholarship | Distinguished Professor Omowunmi Sadik | Doctor of Philosophy, 1994 | |
| Arts & Culture | Dr Virginia Keft |
Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours), 2001 |
|
| 2022 | Professional Excellence | Prof John Daly | Bachelor of Arts, 1987 Master of Education (Honours), 1989 |
| Young Alumni | Dr Justin Cain | Bachelor of Science (Exercise Science), 2012 Doctor of Medicine, 2017 |
|
| Young Alumni | Sally O'Donnell | Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws, 2010 | |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Dr Alexander Badran | Bachelor of Mathematics Advanced Honours, 2009 | |
| Social Impact | Jessica Smith OAM | Bachelor of Science, 2007 | |
| Research & Scholarship | Prof Justin Yerbury AM | Bachelor of Commerce, 1995 Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Advanced, 2004 Doctor of Philosophy, 2008 |
|
| 2021 | Professional Excellence | Monica Barone | Master of Creative Arts, 1991 |
| Young Alumni | Susan Zhang |
Master of Information Communication Technology, 2011 |
|
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Ray Tubman |
Bachelor of Mathematics, 1988 |
|
| Social Impact | Anuradha Gupta | Master of Business Administration, 1993 | |
| Research & Scholarship | Anthony Okely |
Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Physical & Health Education), 1993 |
|
| 2020 | Professional Excellence | Van Badham |
Bachelor of Creative Arts (Creative Writing), 1996 |
| Young Alumni | Rick Martin |
Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) / Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry), 2014 |
|
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Katherine McConnell |
Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Commerce (Japanese, Economics & Management), 1999 |
|
| Social Impact | Carol Kiernan |
Bachelor of Arts, 1977 |
|
| 2019 | Professional Excellence | Paul Harris |
Bachelor of Education (Physical & Health Education), 1999 |
| Young Alumni | Julia Green | Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics, 2008 Masters of Science, 2011 |
|
| Research & Scholarship | Professor Aibing Yu |
Doctor of Philosophy (Materials Engineering), 1990 |
|
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Mike Sneesby |
Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering), 1996 |
|
| Social Impact | Dr Sameer Dixit | Master of Science (Biotechnology), 1996 Bachelor of Science (Honours), 1999 |
|
| 2018 | Professional Excellence | Tanya de Hoog | Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering), 1996 |
| Young Alumni | Tom Moore | Bachelor of Commerce, 2010 | |
| Research & Scholarship | Professor James Goudkamp | Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws, 2003 Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, 2005 |
|
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Natalie Chapman | Graduate Certificate in Management, 1998 Master of Commerce, 2002 Master of Business Administration, 2009 |
|
| Social Impact | Diane Manns | Master of Business Administration (Executive), 2016 | |
| 2017 | Professional Excellence | Matt Bullock | Bachelor of Computer Science (Computer Science & Mathematics), 1993 |
| Young Alumni | Deng Adut | Master of Laws (Criminal Prosecutions), 2014 | |
| Research & Innovation | Dr John Best | Doctor of Philosophy (Mathematics), 1991 | |
| Social Impact | Sally Riley | Bachelor of Creative Arts (Theatre), 1991 | |
| 2016 | Professional Excellence | Dr Ken Silburn | Doctor of Education, 2009 |
| Young Alumni | Larissa Robertson | Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), 2004 | |
| Research & Innovation | Prof Peter Quinn | Bachelor of Science (Hons), 1977 | |
| Social Impact | Kate Swaffer | Master of Science (Dementia Care), 2014 | |
| 2015 | Professional Excellence | Sunil Chandra | Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Engineering), 1995 |
| Young Alumni | Kimberley Abbott | Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical)/Bachelor of Science (Exercise Science), 2012 | |
| Research & Innovation | Prof Alex Frino | Bachelor of Commerce (Accountancy), 1989 Master of Commerce (Hons) (Accountancy), 1991 |
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| Social Impact | Dr Diann Rodgers-Healey | PhD Education, 2009 Graduate Certificate in Business Coaching, 2011 |
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| 2014 | Outstanding Alumni | The Honourable Tashi Wangmo | Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical), 1998 |
| Young Alumni | Dr Teena Downton | Bachelor of Medical Science, 2008 Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery, 2012 |
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| Community Service | Grahame Gould | Master of Clinical Psychology, 2000 | |
| 2013 | Outstanding Alumni | Prof Patricia Davidson | Bachelor of Arts, 1985 Master of Education, 1993 |
| Young Alumni | Tristan Knowles OAM | Bachelor of Commerce, 2005 | |
| Community Service | Glen Moore | Bachelor of Science, 1968 |