The Oorala Awards

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

1. Achievement Award

This award recognises the outstanding achievement by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student to achieve and overcome the challenges that students face during their university studies. This may include internal or external factors and is based on their achievement and desire to succeed.

2. Academic Excellence Award

This award recognises the academic excellence demonstrated by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student, based on the demonstration of academic achievements.

3. Impact to Community 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, a community of practice or a sport administrator.

4. Sporting Achievement Award

This award recognises the outstanding sporting achievements of an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander UNE student in their sporting arena. This may include representation at a local, state, national or elite level in 2023. The winner will achieve success in their chosen sport, but also displays sportsmanship on and off the field.

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

1. Recognition Award (Professional staff member)

This award recognises the outstanding achievement by an UNE professional staff member for the outstanding performance and commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, through excellence in education, engagement, customer service or student success.

2. Tertiary Education Impact Award (Academic staff member)

This award recognises the outstanding achievement by an UNE academic staff member for their performance and commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, through excellence in areas of teaching, learning or research.

3. Impact to  Community (Professional or Academic staff member)

This award recognises the outstanding achievement by a staff member that has made significant impact through education, engagement or student success within the local New England Community.

1. Name of nominee
2. Name of nominator
3. The award that is being selected
4. Evidence that supports the nomination

• Students that are nominated must have been enrolled as a UNE student during 2023.
• 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 2023 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 on Friday 24 November 2023, in Armidale, where the winners will be announced.
• Oorala will financially assist nominees to travel to attend the Oorala Awards

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

Nominate Here

Yes, however, they are only eligible for one award in that year.

Yes, if you are part of the local community from Armidale, a UNE Study Centre or a UNE study hub you can nominate a UNE student or staff member.

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.

There will be four student categories and three staff categories.

Yes, you or another person can re-submit your nomination the following year.

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

Yes, you can request feedback from the selection panel.

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

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