2025 Alumni Awards
Each year, we recognise the exceptional achievements of our alumni, both personally and professionally, within their local communities and on a global scale. We seek alumni who inspire others and make a significant impact in their respective fields. By celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of our alumni across various industries and communities, we aim to inspire the next generation of students and create a lasting global impact.
We honour alumni who embody the Charles Sturt University ethos, Yindyamarra Winhanganha, a Wiradjuri phrase meaning the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in.
Nominations for the 2025 Alumni Awards are now closed.
Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination. We look forward to announcing our finalists soon!
Key dates for 2025
- Nominations open: Monday 7 April 2025
- Nominations close: Extended to midnight Monday 2 June 2025 (AEST).
- Winners announced: Monday 1 September 2025
Award Categories
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Professional Excellence chevron_right
This award recognises outstanding leaders in their industry or profession who have made or are making significant and positive impact on their communities, their industry, or the world.
Criteria
- Alumni who demonstrate outstanding contributions to a workplace, profession or industry that is noteworthy and exceptional (at a local, national, or international level).
- Who accomplishment(s) raise their profile and standing within their community, country or internationally and/or bring greater recognition to their profession.
- Who demonstrate through their work, professional or community, alignment with one or all the University’s values of insightful, inclusive, impactful and inspiring.
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Research Excellence chevron_right
This award recognises outstanding research leaders whose research is changing lives, or whose scholarly contributions have made a substantial impact to their field of research.
Criteria
- Alumni who demonstrate sustained contribution to their field of research at local, national and/or international levels (and recognition at national and/or international levels).
- Whose scholarly contributions and associated outreach efforts have measurably and significantly improved the lives of people through engagement with their research outputs (including through industry, community, government uptake of research findings/tools/policy recommendations etc).
- Who demonstrate through their work, professional or community, alignment with one or all the University’s values of insightful, inclusive, impactful, and inspiring.
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Social Impact chevron_right
This award recognises leaders/individuals whose professional or voluntary work has generated significant social impact to a group or wider community(ies).
Criteria
- Alumni who demonstrate the positive impact they have had on their community and/or the University through their work in the profit, non-profit or public sector. Evidence may include, but is not limited to, positive contributions through social innovation, volunteerism, community development and/or corporate social responsibility.
- Who demonstrates significant, long-term impact of their contribution to their community and/or the University.
- Who demonstrate through their work, professional or community, alignment with one or all the University’s values of insightful, inclusive, impactful, and inspiring.
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Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Creativity chevron_right
This award recognises alumni who have made an extraordinary impact through innovation in their industry or profession. This encompasses all industry sectors, for example agriculture, technology, allied health, the arts, culture, and/or creative sectors.
Criteria
- Alumni who demonstrate a strong entrepreneurial mindset and/or creative approach in their industry, profession or area of expertise.
- Who has achieved recognition as an innovator or creative force within their industry, profession or area of expertise.
- 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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Young Alumni chevron_right
This award recognises extraordinary achievements of our new graduates across both the professional and service to community fields. Nominees must be under the age of 35.
Criteria
- Alumni who are under the age of 35 and have demonstrated outstanding contributions to a workplace, profession or industry that is noteworthy and exceptional (at a local, national, or international level).
- Alumni who are under age 35 and whose accomplishment(s) raise their profile and standing within their community, country or internationally and/or bring greater recognition to their profession.
- Who demonstrate through their work, professional or community, alignment with one or all the University’s values of insightful, inclusive, impactful and inspiring.
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First Nations Excellence chevron_right
This award recognises outstanding achievement or contribution by a First Nations alumni in their chosen industry, profession or field.
Criteria
- First Nations alumni who demonstrate outstanding leadership in their community, industry or profession who have made or are making a significant difference in both local and/or wider communities or throughout the world.
- Who demonstrate through their work, professional or community, alignment with one or all the University’s values of insightful, inclusive, impactful, and inspiring.
2024 Winners and Highly Commended
Professional Excellence
WINNER
Alumni of the year - Jenna Mayhew
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Dale Hurley
Research Excellence
WINNER
Alumni of the year - Professor Pornsak Sriamornsak
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Dr Heather McCormack
Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Creativity
WINNER
Alumni of the Year - Sally-Anne Stollznow
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Sandy MacQuarrie
First Nations Excellence
WINNER
Alumni of the year - Fiona Harrison
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Assoc Professor Brett Biles
Our past winners and highly commended
If you missed out on congratulating these these winners and highly commended you still can!
Alumni with impact
Find out more about our alumni who are doing great things all around the world.