A row of glass boomerang-shaped awards with wooden bases displayed on a black tablecloth at an awards ceremony. Each award is engraved with the recipient’s name and category. In the background, large white foam letters spell ‘OORALA’ in front of a dimly lit dining area.

Nominations for the 2026 Oorala Awards are now open

Know Someone whose achievements deserve to be celebrated?

The Oorala Awards are an opportunity to recognise the achievement, resilience, leadership and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at UNE, as well as the staff who champion Indigenous student success and make a positive difference across our university and communities.

Whether it's a student who has overcome challenges, achieved academic excellence, shown leadership, contributed to community, or excelled through culture, creativity or sport - or a staff member or team who has gone above and beyond - we want to hear their story.

Take a few minutes to nominate someone who deserves to be recognised at the 2026 Oorala Awards.

Recognise them. Nominate them. Celebrate them.

NOMINATE FOR A 2026 OORALA AWARD

All nominations are confidential and only viewed by the selection committee. Nominations will only be accepted via the Oorala Awards nomination form.

Student awards will be awarded in five categories (Student Growth & Resilience, Student Academic Excellence, Student Community Leadership and Student Creative and Cultural Achievement, Student Leadership). The student awards are open to all UNE Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander foundations, undergraduate, postgraduate and higher degree research students. This includes students that have graduated or are due to graduate in 2026.

Staff Awards will be awarded in three categories (Staff Recognition, Staff Indigenous Education Award and Staff Community Partnership ). The staff awards are open to all UNE Indigenous and non-Indigenous professional and academic staff.

Have a look at the 2025 winners

Nominations will be accepted by current and former UNE staff, students, family member, graduates and council members. Nominations will also be accepted by community members of UNE’s campus hometown (Armidale), UNE campuses (UNE Parramatta, Taree and Tamworth) and UNE regional study centres (Coonabarabran, Glen Innes, Gunnedah, Guyra, Inverell, Tenterfield, Moree and Narrabri).

A nominee can be nominated for more than one category; however, they will not be eligible to win more than one category in any award year. They will also not be eligible to win the same category a second time. You can nominate more than one person; you will need to complete a separate nomination for each person that is nominated.

Awards

Student Awards

    All UNE Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Foundations, Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Higher Degree Research UNE students are eligible to be nominated.

    1.  Student Growth & Resilience Award
    This award recognises personal growth and resilience by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander UNE student to succeed and persevere with their university studies in the face of adversity and challenges.

    2.  Student Academic Excellence Award
    This award recognises the academic excellence demonstrated by a high-achieving Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander UNE student in their chosen field of study.

    3.  Student Community Leadership Award
    This award recognises the positive impact that an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander UNE student has made to their local community. This may include being part of a working group, committee, community program, or mentoring younger generations.

    4.  Student Creative and Cultural Achievement Award
    This award celebrates an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander UNE student who demonstrates outstanding achievement or leadership in sports, performing arts, visual arts, music, dance, or cultural expression—recognising excellence both within and beyond academic studies.

    5. Student Leadership Award
    This award recognises an Oorala Student Ambassador who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, initiative, and commitment in representing Oorala within the UNE community.

Staff

    All Indigenous and non-Indigenous professional and academic UNE staff are eligible to be nominated.

    1. Staff Recognition Award (Professional individual or team) This award recognises a UNE professional staff member or team for outstanding contribution to creating safe and supportive environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff at UNE.

    2. Staff Indigenous Education Award (Academic individual or team)
    This award recognises a UNE academic staff member or team who demonstrates a strong commitment to Indigenous education through either:

  • Excellence in teaching or curriculum development integrating Indigenous perspectives, or
  • Dedication to supporting the success of UNE’s Indigenous students

    3.  Staff Community Partnership Award (Professional or Academic individual or team)
    This award recognises a UNE Staff member or team for outstanding commitment to creating meaningful impact through active partnerships with the Oorala Centre and/or their local Indigenous community.

Oorala Awards Nomination Information

Nominations must include:
  1. Name of nominee
  2. Name of nominator
  3. The award that is being selected
  4. Evidence that supports the nomination
Conditions of nomination
  • Students that are nominated must have been enrolled as a UNE student during 2026.
  • Students that are nominated must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
  • Staff that are nominated must be a current UNE staff member.
  • Staff that are nominated do not need to be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
  • Achievement is relevant for the 2026 calendar year (January - December).
  • Self-nominations will be accepted; however, the nominee must provide additional documentation from a person that supports the nomination such as a lecturer, sports coach, elder or supervisor.
  • Selection of award winners will be determined by the Oorala Award committee, the decision will be final.
  • All winners and nominees will be invited to attend the Oorala Award ceremony in November 2026, in Armidale, where the winners will be announced.
  • Oorala Awards will be held in Armidale. Oorala will financially assist nominees and their guest to travel to Armidale to attend the Oorala Awards.

Oorala Award FAQs

Can I nominate someone for more than one category?

Yes, however, they are only eligible to win one category in that year.

Can I nominate someone even if I have no connection to UNE?

Yes, if you are connected to a student or staff member that you beleive is deliverin, then please nominated them.

Can I nominate myself for an Oorala Award?

Self-nominations will be accepted; however, the nominee must provide additional documentation from a person that supports the nomination such as a lecturer, sports coach, elder or supervisor.

Is there a limit to awards being given out in 2026?

There will be five student categories and three staff categories.

If I have been unsuccessful in a previous Oorala Award nomination, can I re-submit my nomination the next year. 

Yes, you or another person can re-submit your nomination the following year as long as the nomination is relevant to that year’s awards

How is the winner selected?

The Oorala Awards will be selected by the Oorala Award committee. The decision will be final.

Can I get feedback on my nomination?

Yes, you can request feedback from the selection panel.

Does the person I am nominating need to be aware that I am nominating them?

No, it is not necessary that you make the nominee aware.

Can I nominate more than one person?

Yes, you are welcome to nominate multiple people and in multiple categories.

Further Enquires

If you have further enquiries please contact:

Oorala Student Experience Team via email at: ooralasupport@une.edu.au