To celebrate the life and contribution of the University's founding Chancellor, the Chancellor Robert Hope Memorial Prize is awarded to a student who demonstrates exceptional academic performance, outstanding leadership, and significant contribution to the University and/or the wider community.
Robert Hope Memorial Prize
The recipient of the Prize will receive:
- The Chancellor Robert Hope Medal; and
- A monetary prize of $7000
- A $3000 donation to one or more charitable or community organisations selected by the recipient.*
- * Suitable organisations must be considered a ‘Deductible Tax Recipient' by the Australian Taxation Office and are subject to approval by the Chancellor Robert Hope Memorial Prize selection committee.
Nominations for 2023 have closed.
Learn more about the Robert Hope Memorial Prize
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for the Robert Hope Memorial Prize, a student must:
- have applied to and be eligible to graduate from the University of Wollongong with a Bachelor degree in the calendar year of the Prize.
- received at least 96 credit points from study at the University;
- nominated themselves, or been nominated by a current UOW student or staff member;
- provided contact details of both an Academic Referee and a Community Referee;
- completed and submitted a nomination form to the Student Administration Services Division by the specified deadline; and f. not previously been awarded the Chancellor Robert Hope Memorial Prize.
Selection criteria
A student chosen for the Robert Hope Memorial Prize will have the capability to be an ambassador for the University through having demonstrated:
- an exceptional contribution to the University community and/or the broader community;
- leadership qualities;
- academic excellence. Academic excellence can be measured through a variety of indicators including but not restricted by, a weighted average mark (WAM) of 80 or above (where the student has completed separate Bachelor Honours and Bachelor Pass courses, the WAM will be calculated by manually applying the SMP WAM7 method to all subjects completed across both courses); contribution to their field of study, academic excellence relative to a student’s academic journey
How to nominate
Nominations for the 2024 Robert Hope Memorial Prize will open in March 2024.
- 2022 - Jacob May
- 2021- Joint winners: Loureene Kelly and Katana Murphy
- 2020 - Meg Cummins
- 2019 - Narayan Khanal
- 2018 - Jessica Kiekebosch-Fitt
- 2017 - Daniel Simpson
- 2016 - Mr Thomas Curran
- 2015 - Ms Jessica Sparks
- 2014 - Mr Lloyd Niccol
- 2013 - Joint winners: Mr John Kitchener and Mr Michael Seaborn
- 2012 - No prize was awarded
- 2011 - Joint winners: Mr Tairan (Kevin) Huang and Ms Sarah-Jane Cooper.
- 2010 - Joint winners: Mr Ismet Huseyin and Mr Matt Dallas.
- 2009 - No prize was awarded
- 2008 - Joint winners: Ms Teena Downton, Ms Teesha Downton, Mr Cameron Ferris and Mr Benjamin Moffitt.
- 2007 - Mr Patrick Hodder
- 2006 - Winner: Mr Marcel Gordon. Runner Up: Ms Jacqueline Furtado.
- 2005 - Ms Danielle Murphy Durland
- 2004 - Winner: Ms Yayaa Tsamenyi. Runners Up: Mr Hadeel Dabbagh and Mr Shane Lauf.
Justice Robert Hope was the University of Wollongong’s founding Chancellor. Justice Hope commenced as Chancellor at the University of Wollongong in 1975 and served the University for 22 years. He is credited with playing a crucial role in the University of Wollongong’s transition from a small regional University to an internationally-recognised and highly-respected tertiary institution.
Justice Robert Hope served as a judge of the New South Wales Supreme Court and the New South Wales Court of Appeal. Notably, he was appointed by Prime Ministers Gough Whitlam and Bob Hawke as Royal Commissioner to lead enquiries into Australia’s security and intelligence services.
During his long and distinguished professional career, Justice Hope also pursued numerous community interests, including taking on an active role in promoting indigenous education and training for Tranby Aboriginal College. He had strong interests in theatre, art and Australia’s cultural heritage and held the position of Chairman of both the Nimrod and Old Tote theatre companies. He also served as Chairman of the NSW Heritage Council.
Justice Robert Hope is remembered for the wisdom, empathy and good humour he brought to all of his professional and community endeavours, and in particular by the University of Wollongong for his outstanding service to the University.
Justice Robert Hope passed away in 1999, aged 80.
To celebrate Justice Hope’s life and contribution, the Chancellor Robert Hope Memorial Prize is awarded to a student who demonstrates exceptional academic performance and an outstanding contribution to the University and wider community. As the only prize awarded by the University Council, it is considered the University’s pre-eminent student prize.
Is there anything you are unsure about? Email your questions to governance@uow.edu.au.