First Nations Excellence

Charles Sturt University Distinguished Alumnus of the Year – First Nations Excellence

This award recognises outstanding achievement or contribution by a First Nations alumni in their chosen industry, profession, or field.

Winner

Winner: Fiona Harrison
Career: Founder and CEO, Chocolate On Purpose
Course: Grad Cert in Wiradjuri Language

Ms Fiona Harrison is a proud Wiradjuri woman and Founder and CEO of Australia’s first Indigenous chocolate company, Chocolate On Purpose. Blending premium chocolate with Australian native botanicals, the social enterprise is on a mission to share Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing, using Wiradjuri storytelling to promote understanding, respect, inclusiveness and reconciliation. Fiona’s social impact model is disrupting the artisan chocolate market, building a strong First Nations-led supply chain and championing sustainable sourcing and ethical production. She is deeply committed to increasing Indigenous representation in Australia’s bushfoods and botanical industries.

A sought-after speaker in the community, Fiona holds a Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage. Embodying resilience, determination and First Nations excellence, she is building a remarkable legacy for future generations.

Read more.

Fiona Harrison

Highly Commended

Winner: Assoc. Professor Brett Biles
Career: Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous (Engagement and Research) at UNSW, Senior Scientia Lecturer and a 2024 Poche Indigenous Health Leadership Program Fellow.
Course: Doctor of Philosophy

A proud Murrawarri man living on Wiradjuri country, Associate Professor Brett Biles is a senior academic leader and researcher in Aboriginal health and wellbeing. He is the inaugural Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Engagement and Research at UNSW, and was previously Director of Indigenous Health Education. He is also a Senior Scientia Lecturer and a 2024 Poche Indigenous Health Leadership Program Fellow.

Brett has spent 15 years advancing the health and wellbeing of First Nations communities as a researcher, attracting over $3.5 million in grant funding since 2020 across multiple Australian Research Council Medical Research Future Fund projects. He holds a PhD from Charles Sturt University, a Masters in Indigenous Health (University of Wollongong) and a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (University of Sydney).

Brett Biles

This award recognises young alumni (under the age of 35) who are having an impact and inspiring others through their professional achievements or service to community.

Other criteria

  1. Applicants must be 35 years or younger in the year of the award.
  2. Alumni (local on international) who demonstrate:
    1. exceptional success in their chosen industry or field; and/or
    2. the significant positive impact they have had on their community.
  3. Alumni who demonstrate through their work, professional or community, alignment with one or all of the University’s values of insightful, inclusive, impactful and inspiring.

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