Previous years recipients
Previous award recipients
Elliot Waters
Having navigated mental ill-health for much of his life, Elliot Waters has turned his lived experience into a platform for change, inspiring people across Australia and beyond. As a Lived Experience Expert, he has volunteered hundreds of hours with the Black Dog Institute and is the creator and producer of the Dysregulated Podcast.
Emma Jane Myers
Emma Myers is a pioneering force in Australia’s media industry, reshaping the landscape of representation and inclusion. Born with cerebral palsy, Emma faced scepticism during her formative schooling years. Her story is one of overcoming adversity and defying the odds to become a leading advocate for disability rights and media representation.
Steve Adamthwaite
Born and raised on a remote property in rural NSW, Steve Adamthwaite grew up living off tank water and experienced the challenges of water security first-hand. Since graduating with Honours in Chemical Engineering, Steve has been dedicated to reshaping the water industry for a more sustainable tomorrow.
Nashwa Najib
Taught by her father about the importance of giving back to the community, Dr Nashwa Najib has shaped her entire medical career around helping those in need.
Rebecca Silberberg
Rebecca Silberberg works to provide advice within the junction of law and technology to some of the world’s largest technology companies.
Stuart Evans
Influencing global climate change policy, developing an internationally recognised Emissions Trading System Handbook and helping countries cut emissions and implement their commitments under the Paris Agreement is all in a day’s work for Stuart Evans.
Luke Hawthorne
Luke Hawthorne is an award-winning lawyer in a leading international law firm, a campaigner for Indigenous Australian artists and their cultural rights, and a leader in LGBTQIA+ advocacy.
Brendan Swansborough
Growing up in rural NSW, Brendan Swansborough has honed his exceptional talents in advertising, surrounded by some of the best advertising talent in the world.
Jessie Porteus
Jessie Porteus is an active young leader of the legal profession, and is dedicated to the development of our next generation of lawyers through mentoring and thought leadership.
Dr Bhavi Ravindran
Dr Vivak (Bhavi) Ravindran, is a Junior Doctor focused in the area of public health and infectious diseases. He has completed rotations in Chennai, India and an internship and consultancy with the World Health Organisation in Manila.
Peter McArdle
Mr Peter McArdle’s work with the Red Cross has been invaluable to many developing communities affected by natural disaster or conflict. Travelling to places including Vanuatu, Lebanon, Sierra Leone, Nepal, and Yemen Peter puts his engineering expertise towards Water, Sanitation, and Habitat engineering.
Dr Xanthe Spindler
Quickly establishing herself as a leading academic in forensic science, Dr Xanthe Spindler has a strong international profile in fingerprint sciences. She is Program Director for undergraduate Forensic Biology, Masters and Honours Forensic Science students at the University of Technology Sydney.
Dr Malcolm Starkey
Immunologist and microbiologist, Dr Malcolm Starkey is a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Australian Research Council (ARC) Early Career Postdoctoral Fellow. His work is substantially contributing to understanding early-life impairment of a healthy immune system and how this predisposes to chronic diseases.
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.