Indigenous Alumni Award
The Indigenous Alumni Award recognises alumni whose outstanding contribution has demonstrated engagement and impact working with Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander communities.
Previous recipients include leaders who have made an impact in indigenous education, health and society.
Nominees must meet the following selection criteria:
- Hold a minimum undergraduate Bachelor degree from the University of Newcastle
- Demonstrate outstanding achievement and/or contribution made by an Indigenous graduate in their chosen field, that has made an impact on Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Only nominees who have established Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status will be considered for this award.
2026 Alumni Excellence Awards
Nominations now open!
Previous award recipients
Dr Raymond Kelly
A proud Dhangatti and Gumbaynggirr man, Dr Ray Kelly has dedicated over 40 years to safeguarding Indigenous language, culture, and heritage. From leading groundbreaking language revitalisation initiatives to advocating for First Nations knowledge at every level.
Dr Sarah Goddard
Dr Sarah Goddard's journey from her rural upbringing to becoming a respected doctor serving her community reflects her resilience, passion, and dedication. Growing up in the remote outback town of Tennant Creek, Sarah's childhood was profoundly shaped by her mother's illness, leading her to spend countless hours in emergency departments and hospital wards.
Karlie Noon
As the first Indigenous person to achieve a dual degree in mathematics and science from the University of Newcastle, Gamilaroi woman Karlie Noon's passion for exploration and discovery exploded at an early age.
Ngiare Brown
Professor Ngiare Brown is a proud Yuin nation woman from the south coast of NSW. She is passionate about Aboriginal and Indigenous health, child safety and adolescent development, and building the evidence base that demonstrates connection across culture, resilience and wellbeing.
Ashley Gordon
Ashley Gordon is a passionate believer that disadvantage in Aboriginal communities and the issues associated with it, including drug, alcohol and gambling addiction, can only be tackled through authentic engagement and collaboration with Aboriginal people.
Shahni Wellington
Shahni Wellington is a proud Jerrinja woman of the Wandi Wandian people. She is an active member of the Darkinjung community on the Central Coast and has done outstanding work in her field of journalism, as the political correspondent and now senior presenter and journalist for National Indigenous T
Dr James Charles
As a proud Kaurna man from the Adelaide Plains, Dr James Charles is leading the way in the world of podiatry and Indigenous health.
Dr Mark Wenitong
As one of the first Indigenous medicine graduates in Australia in 1994, Dr Mark Wenitong completed his medical studies as a mature-age student and proceeded to join World Vision and work in Central Australia where he encountered some of the harshest health challenges.
Luke Pearson
Luke Pearson is a Gamilaroi man, teacher, public speaker, and trainer and Founder of @IndigenousX, which uses the alternative media space and unique characteristics of the Internet to renegotiate the representation of Indigenous voices.
Dr Kristopher Rallah-Baker
Dr. Kristopher (Kris) Rallah-Baker FRANZCO, a Yuggera/Biri-Gubba-Juru man, is Australia’s first Indigenous Ophthalmologist. He works closely with Indigenous communities by providing quality eye health care that they may not otherwise received. Kris is a founding member and currently the Vice-President of the Australian Indigenous Doctors Association.
Associate Professor Aunty Kerrie Doyle
As a practicing nurse, researcher, educator and mentor, Associate Professor Aunty Kerrie Doyle has devoted her life to the care of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. She currently coordinates clinical and research studies at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, and takes a lead role in curriculum development across all health disciplines.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.