Nomination guidelines

Everything you need to know before making a nomination

The following guidelines will help you complete the Alumni Excellence Awards nomination process. Please refer to our FAQs or contact our Alumni Team if you have any further questions.

E: alumniawards@newcastle.edu.au

T: +61 2 4921 6699

Key Dates

  • 19 FebruaryNominations open
  • 14 AprilNominations close
  • 12 SeptemberAlumni Excellence Awards Event

Process

  1. Nominators complete a nomination of no more than 800 words, outlining the achievements, impact, and contributions of the nominee via our online form.
  2. All submissions are reviewed against the selection criteria and shortlisted.
  3. A selection panel comprising of University senior staff, Council Members, and expert alumni, including former Alumni Excellence Award recipients determine the recipients for each category.
  4. Recipients are informed of the results and will be announced in the lead up to the Alumni Excellence Awards Event.

Top Writing Tips

Who, why and how
Summarise the key information at the start of your application.

Use personal examples
This is a memorable way to make your nominee stand out.

Plan and categorise
Remember a good piece of writing is 75% planning and editing, and only 25% writing. Try to clearly layout your ideas to improve readability for the selection panel.

Address the selection criteria
Just like a job application, responses need to be linked to the selection criteria. Ensure you carefully address each criterion, demonstrating the nominee’s impact and achievements, and providing evidence where possible.

Avoid hyperbole
Words like “world-class” or “superstar” are overused and not evidence-based.

Remember your audience
The selection panel is comprised of a senior staff member and alumni, including former Alumni Excellence Award recipients. Panel members are selected based upon their professional experience to ensure each panel has the relevant expertise for each award category.

Terms and Conditions

Nominations

  • Nominations can be made by alumni, staff, a member of the University of Newcastle community or a member of the wider community.
  • An individual may nominate themselves.
  • Alumni can be nominated for more than one award category.
  • Joint nominations will not be accepted.
  • Nominees may request to be removed from the nomination process at any stage.
  • If additional information is required, the nominator may be contacted.
  • The University reserves the right to disclose the identity of the nominator to the nominee.
  • Previous award recipients are not eligible for re-nomination in the same award category but can be nominated in another category. Recipients of distinguished awards such as the Alumni Medal for Professional Excellence, Newton-John Alumni Medal and the Convocation Medal for Exceptional Contribution are not eligible for re-nomination.
  • Honorary Degree recipients of the University of Newcastle are not eligible for nomination for the Alumni Excellence Awards program, unless they hold a minimum undergraduate Bachelor degree, with the exception of the Convocation Medal for Exceptional Contribution.
  • Unsuccessful nominees may re-nominate in subsequent years.
  • Nominators and nominees are required to keep the contents of their nominations confidential.

Judging

  • Nominations will be assessed by a selection panel, consisting of University senior staff, Council Members, and expert alumni, including former Alumni Excellence Award recipients.
  • The decision of the selection panel is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  • The University reserves the right to withhold any award or decide not to make an award in any category, at its discretion.
  • The number of awards allocated in each category will be at the discretion of the University.
  • All unsuccessful nominators will be notified of the outcome of their nomination.
  • The profiles of finalists and recipients (names, images, biography) may be published in any form of media in any context pertaining to the Awards and to the University of Newcastle.
  • No member of the judging panel may be nominated for an award, nor be a nominee’s referee.
  • Awards will not be awarded posthumously, unless otherwise determined by the University.

Awards presentation

  • Recipients will be advised in writing and invited to an Awards presentation event with their guests.
  • Recipients remain confidential until they are publicly announced by the Office of Alumni and Philanthropy prior to the award presentation.
  • Recipients will be officially awarded and celebrated at the award presentation.