In 2024 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 29 November, 2024 at the Armidale Bowling Club to announce the winners.

Student Awards

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 2024. 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)

        2. 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)

        3. 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)

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

    2024 Oorala Student Awards

    Eight students and staff holding awardsimg: Theresa Davis, Teneille Blair, Vanessa Sewell, Uncle Colin Ahoy, Deputy Chancellor Jan McLelland, Craig Raymond, Oorala Director Sam Fowler, Sueling Ahoy

    Oorala Student Achievement Award

    • The Undergraduate award:
      • Sueling Ahoy – TRACKS / Bachelor of Social Science
    • The Postgraduate award:
      • Therese Davis - Bachelor of Nursing

    Oorala Student Academic Excellence Award

    • The Undergraduate Academic Excellence Award:
      • Anna Foster - TRACKS / Bachelor of Psychological Science.
    • The Higher Degree Research Academic Excellence Award:
      • Vanessa Sewell  - Doctor of Philosophy

    Oorala Student Impact to Community Award

    • Craig Raymond - Master of Clinical Psychology

    Oorala Student Sporting Achievement Award

    • Teneille Blair – Bachelor of Educational Studies

    Oorala Student Leadership Award

    • Brody Fisher - Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science

    2024 Oorala Staff Awards

    six staff members and their awardsimg: Suzie Cosh, Uncle Colin Ahoy, Deidre Long, Deputy Chancellor Jan McClelland, Oorala Director Sam Fowler  & Matt Pine

    Oorala Staff Recognition Award (professional or academic staff member)

    • Matt Pine – SportUNE

    Oorala Staff Tertiary Impact Award (academic staff member)

    • Suzzanne Cosh – Associate Professor in the School of Psychology

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

    • Deidre Long - School of Rural Medicine

    Oorala Lifetime Achievement Award

    • David Green -  Dixson Library

    Table Setup

    All winners were announced at the Oorala Awards
    on Friday 29 November, 2024