2026 Alumni Awards
2026 Alumni Awards – Nominations Now Open
Celebrate the impact, leadership and achievements of the Charles Sturt University alumni community. The 2026 Alumni Awards are now open, and we’re inviting you to share the stories of graduates who are making a real difference - locally, nationally or across the globe.
Whether someone is leading in their profession, driving research, supporting community initiatives, advocating for change or building innovative solutions, we want to hear their story. Don’t forget - what feels like “just part of the job” could be exactly the kind of contribution we want to recognise. Whether a self-nomination or a nomination of a fellow alumnus, your stories have the power to inspire and make a lasting impact.
Why nominate?
Every year, we discover incredible stories from our alumni - many of whom never expected to be recognised. If you or someone you know is contributing to their field or community in a meaningful way, this is the moment to shine a light on those achievements.
The Alumni Awards honour graduates who bring to life our university ethos, Yindyamarra Winhanganha - wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in.
Who can nominate?
Anyone.
You can nominate:
- yourself
- a fellow alumnus
- a colleague, friend or community member
How to nominate
Submit your nomination through our online form.
Celebrate with us
The Alumni Awards are an opportunity to champion the achievements of our graduates and showcase the incredible impact they are making across industries, communities and cultures.
We look forward to celebrating your stories!
Key dates for 2025
- Nominations open: Monday 2 March 2026.
- Nominations close: Midnight Monday 11 May 2026 (AEST).
- Winners announced: Tuesday 1 September 2026.
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.
2025 Alumni Award Winners
Our past winners
If you missed out on congratulating these these winners, you still can.
Alumni with impact
Find out more about our alumni who are doing great things all around the world.