In 2023 Oorala hosted the second student and staff Awards Ceremony. This event acknowledges the excellence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and the UNE staff that support them.

A gala event was held on Friday 24 November, 2023 at the Armidale Bowling Club to announce the winners.

Awards

Student 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.

Staff Awards

    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.

2023 Oorala Student Awards

img: Sam Fowler, Peter Smith, Kasani Upward, Prof. Chris Moran (VC), Kimberley Peckham & Haleigh McCarney

Oorala Student Achievement Award

  • The Undergraduate award:
    • Kimberley Peckham – Bachelor of Arts
  • The Postgraduate award:
    • Danika Lee - Master of Teaching (Primary)

Oorala Student Academic Excellence Award

  • The Undergraduate Academic Excellence Award:
    • Katie Cox - Bachelor of Psychological Science.
  • The Postgraduate Academic Excellence Award
    • Dylan Katthagen - Master of History
  • The Higher Degree Research Academic Excellence Award:
    • Peter Smith - Doctor of Philosophy

Oorala Student Impact to Community Award

  • Kisani Upward - Doctor of Philosophy

Oorala Student Sporting Achievement Award

  • Haleigh McCarney – Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science

Oorala Student Leadership Award

  • Courtney Baker - Bachelor of Social Work

2023 Oorala Staff Awards

img: Sam Fowler, Dr Bernie Cocks, Kate Carter, Prof. Chris Moran (VC), Lexie McGourty & Brendan Kassman

Oorala Staff Recognition Award (professional or academic staff member)

  • Lexie McGourty – Student Engagement Manager, Oorala Aboriginal Centre

Oorala Staff Tertiary Impact Award (academic staff member)

  • Dr Bernie Cocks – Lecturer in Psychology – The School of Psychology
  • Kate Carter – TRACKS Program, Oorala Aboriginal Centre

Oorala Impact to Community Award (professional or academic staff member)

  • Brendon Kassman - SportUNE

Oorala Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Guido Posthausen -  Academic Co-ordinator & Lecturer – Oorala Aboriginal Centre

Table Setup

All winners were announced at the Oorala Awards
on Friday 24 November, 2023