Community and Alumni

Lara Godde first became involved with HunterWiSE as a Year 8 student in 2018. At the time, she wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted to do with her future, but participating in the program proved to be a turning point. As part of the HunterWiSE Schools Outreach Program, Lara and two friends from St Mary’s Catholic College Gateshead designed Fit Near Me..

More than 240 High School students from eight schools across the country put their STEM skills to the test at the national finals of The University of Newcastle’s Science and Engineering Challenge (SEC).

My father’s kindness shaped the way I see the world. He would quietly give to schools or people in need and remind us, “If you give to others, God will give you more, and you will never be empty-handed.” Those words stayed in my heart.

A remarkable bequest to the University of Newcastle’s Conservatorium of Music continues to shape the future of music education and nurture the next generation of performers in our region.

From protecting threatened species and educating the next generation about marine conservation, to fostering inclusive spaces for neurodivergent students, the Ma & Morley Scholarship Program is empowering our future leaders to take action for a better world.

In 2025, two remarkable milestones converge: the University of Newcastle celebrates its 60th anniversary and Singapore marks 60 years of independence. Reflecting on the spirit of opportunity that has shaped our shared history, we celebrate how Singapore-based alumni are helping to build our shared future.

Leading experts in cardiovascular medicine at the University of Newcastle have made a significant discovery that may unlock the secrets of heart disease with support from Australian Rotary Health. 

Our timeline shares the impact of 60 years of generosity, with more than 12,000 people donating over $200 million to shape a better tomorrow through the University of Newcastle.

Tour de Cure has generously invested over $750,000 into cancer research at the University of Newcastle, supporting PhD students, early career researchers and leading scientists. This vital funding has fuelled innovative research tackling cancer from every angle – prevention, treatment and survivorship – and helped accelerate discoveries that change lives.

With generous support from the Australian Wildlife Society, international PhD student, Charlotte Rigolot, is tackling one of the biggest challenges facing wildlife conservation today: how to protect our wild koala populations from extinction.

Alumni and colleagues from GHD have clocked up tens of thousands of kilometres swimming, cycling and running together to raise funds for scholarships to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at the University of Newcastle.

Thanks to your incredible generosity during last year’s Gifting Day, the Speech Pathology Early Intervention for Rural and Regional Children (SPEIR) program is making a profound difference for young children and families in rural and regional New South Wales.