Alumni Awards

This award recognises the significant contributions made by alumni in their local communities and beyond. This is the highest honour the Alumni Awards can bestow. 

This award is not open for application but will be decided at the discretion of the awards judging panel when considering nominations for all other award categories. Candidates chosen for this award will meet the following criteria:

• The nominee is a graduate of Western Sydney University or its antecedent institutions
• The nominee has made a sustained and significant contribution in one or more of the following areas: professional achievement, art and cultural achievement or leadership, sporting achievement, research and/or community leadership 
• The nominee has made a significant contribution to enrich and benefit society’s development, prosperity and social capital through their community, above and beyond their role in their chosen field of employment 
• The nominee brings credit to Western Sydney University through prominence in their field or profession nationally or internationally 
• The nominee has achieved sustained success over their career that is noteworthy and exceptional 
• The nominee demonstrates leadership qualities in a variety of contexts that could include volunteering, community, research or professional work.

This award is designed to recognise outstanding leaders within their industry, profession or field of research who have achieved sustained success throughout their career that is noteworthy and exceptional.

Nominations must meet all of the following selection criteria:

• The nominee is a graduate of Western Sydney University or its antecedent institutions.
• The nominee has contributed significantly to the growth, reach or impact of their industry, profession, or field of research.
• The nominee works to promote and facilitate innovation, demonstrates dedication to industry, and the tenacity to persevere through challenges.
• The nominee has made a significant positive impact to the social, economic, political and environmental challenges facing communities – locally, nationally and/or internationally.

In addition to the above, nominations must meet one or more of the following selection criteria:

• The nominee has demonstrated outstanding personal achievement to effect a major turnaround or improvement in the performance of their organisation or the contribution of their profession, and/or
  
• The nominee has made outstanding achievements in the field of arts, contributing to the understanding and significance of culture in Western Sydney and beyond, and/or
• The nominee demonstrates excellence in research, contributing to new and influential knowledge with outcomes of great benefit, advancement and impact.

This award recognises the achievements of alumni who have performed exceptionally well in their first ten years following graduation.

Nominations must meet all of the following selection criteria:

• The nominee is a graduate of Western Sydney University or its antecedent institutions.
• The nominee graduated within 10 years, from the date of nomination (2012).
• The nominee’s accomplishments raise their profile and standing within their community and/or bring greater recognition to their profession.
• The nominee demonstrates leadership qualities in a variety of contexts that could include volunteering, community or professional work.
• The nominee’s work and/or contribution in their community is likely to be an inspiration to the next generation of graduates and the community at large.

This award recognises and honours international alumni who have excelled in their chosen field and whose accomplishments enhance the prestige of Western Sydney University.

Nominations must meet all of the following selection criteria:

• The nominee is a graduate of Western Sydney University, its antecedent institutions, or an approved offshore partner institution.
• The nominee is living and working in a country other than Australia and is making a significant contribution to international society through community service and/or professional achievements.
• The nominee’s accomplishments raise their profile and standing within an international community and/or bring greater recognition to their profession.
• The nominee demonstrates leadership qualities in a variety of contexts that could include volunteering, community or professional work.
• The nominee demonstrates the ability to influence decisions within a variety of contexts, for example, within government, industry or through advocacy efforts.

This award recognises Indigenous alumni who have excelled in their profession or made an outstanding contribution to Indigenous Australian communities within Greater Western Sydney and/or beyond.

Nominations must meet all of the following selection criteria:

• The Nominee is a graduate of Western Sydney University or its antecedent institutions.
• The nominee has made an outstanding contribution to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities in Greater Western Sydney and/or beyond, and through their professional or voluntary work has demonstrated how their contribution has benefited Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities.
  
• Proof of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Status (ATSI) must be supplied by the nominee at the time of nomination submission. The following documentation may be provided:
  (i) A letter from a registered Indigenous Community Organisation with a common seal confirming a person to be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; or
  (ii) A statutory declaration signed by the applicant plus a supporting documentation in the form of a genealogy document (such as Linkup NSW), or a letter of support using template, or an official letterhead by a recognised Indigenous community member or Indigenous organisation. 

This award recognises alumni who have demonstrated excellence in the fields of research, innovation, creative thinking and technology and highlights the impact of their work.

Nominations must meet all of the following selection criteria:

• The nominee is a graduate of Western Sydney University or its antecedent institutions.
  
• The nominee’s accomplishments raise their profile and standing within their community and/or bring greater recognition to their profession.
  
• The nominee demonstrates excellence in the field of research and innovation.
• The nominee is a visionary and has demonstrated creative thinking, hard work and courage in exploring new areas in their respective field of work.
• The nominee’s work and/or contribution in their community is likely to be an inspiration to the next generation of graduates and the community at large.

This award recognises Hawkesbury alumni who have excelled in their professional career, community life, international affairs or business.

Nominations must meet all of the following selection criteria:

• The nominee is a graduate of Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Hawkesbury College of Advanced Education, or from one of the academic units of the Hawkesbury campus of Western Sydney.
  
• The nominee’s work, whether professional or voluntary, demonstrates a significant positive impact on their profession and/or community - locally, nationally and/or internationally.