91É«ÇéƬ

Alumni Awards

91É«ÇéƬ Sydney is a leader in education and research. Meet the alumni who are turning bold ideas into global impact.
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At 91É«ÇéƬ Sydney, we take pride in our heritage of fostering progress and innovation. For 75 years, we've been at the forefront of education and research, dedicated to leaving our world better than we found it. Our alumni are pivotal to this mission—sharp minds that have taken brave ideas and turned them into actions with momentous impact worldwide.

You can also learn about the nomination process, discover the stories of our past winnersÌý´Ç°ù someone today. 

Meet our 2026 winners

Adele Schonhardt OAM - Art & Culture

"When you think about what you did during the pandemic, during those dark years where you were stuck at home, you turned to music."

Adele Schonhardt OAM is an arts executive with experience across Australia, Germany and the United States. A Melbourne Conservatorium of Music graduate, she holds an Executive MBA from AGSM, 91É«ÇéƬ. Adele is Executive Director of Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, following roles with Musica Viva Australia, Germany’s classical music sector and the League of American Orchestras in New York.

In 2020, she and Chris Howlett co-founded the Australian Digital Concert Hall, which streamed more than 1,000 performances and generated over $4 million for artists and arts organisations. A recipient of multiple awards, Adele was awarded the OAM for service to the arts in 2024.

Ben Farinazzo - Community Service

"Service gave me identity. Recovery taught me a deeper form of strength. Invictus, it gave me hope. Community gave that hope somewhere to go."

Ben Farinazzo is a proud Australian with Italian and Aboriginal heritage. He is a former Australian Army officer and CEO, two-time Invictus Games gold medalist, Australia Day Ambassador and mental health advocate.

Ben served on active deployment in East Timor and built a senior leadership career in Australia and overseas. After recovering from severe PTSD, anxiety, depression and serious spinal injuries, Ben represented Australia at the 2018 Invictus Games Sydney, winning two gold medals.

Today, he supports veteran and community wellbeing and is developing a 1,000km national pilgrimage connecting people, landscapes, communities and Country across Australia.

Vincent Allen - Innovation & Entrepreneurship

"We are the first generation to feel the impacts of climate change, but we may also be the last generation to do something about it."

Vincent Allen is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of SunDrive, a solar technology company launched while completing his PhD at 91É«ÇéƬ. He helped develop breakthrough copper-based solar cells and has led their progression from university research to pilot-scale manufacturing.

SunDrive replaces silver in solar panels with abundant, lower-cost copper, enabling more scalable production. Under Vince’s leadership, the company set a world record for commercial-size silicon solar-cell efficiency in 2021 and built the world’s first fully automated direct-copper-plating HJT pilot line in 2024.

Professor Jane Catherine Ngila - Professional Achievement

"It was a rough life. I grew up feeling that I just needed to get out of this situation, and I said education is going to be my tool, my ticket, my instrument, my vehicle, to get out of this situation."

Professor Jane Catherine Ngila is the Executive Director of the African Foundation for Women and Youth in Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (AFoWYESTI), advancing quality education and mentorship for women and youth in STEM.

Prof. Ngila has taught at many universities including the University of Johannesburg and the University of Botswana, in various courses in analytical and environmental chemistry. She is also a Member of the UNESCO Global Multistakeholder Advisory Committee for Women and Girls in Science, a Council Member for the United Nations University and holds other senior leadership and strategic roles.  

Her award-winning research in analytical and environmental chemistry focuses on water quality, nanotechnology and wastewater treatment.

Em Professor Elizabeth Taylor AO - Research & Education Excellence

"The strength of having diversity in any situation is that the solutions are far more robust, far more appropriate to the situation rather than a singular view of the world"

Elizabeth Taylor AO is an engineer, governance specialist and Emeritus Professor at Central Queensland University, with a career spanning industry, design and construction, academia and leadership. She is Chair of SmartCrete CRC and the International Engineering Alliance’s Governing Group and Sydney Accord, and a former Chair of the Washington Accord and Engineers Australia Accreditation Board.

Elizabeth contributes to humanitarian and community causes, currently chairing the Cambodian Children’s Trust Australia. An Honorary Fellow of Engineers Australia and Fellow of ATSE and AICD, she has been recognised among Australia’s 100 influential engineers and received Engineers Australia’s 2021 Peter Nicol Russell Career Achievement Memorial Medal.

ThinkMD - Social Impact

"ThinkMD is trying to solve one of the most urgent, meaningful and complex problems on earth, which is how to scale healthcare in regions of the world without access to doctors"

ThinkMD is a pioneering MedTech company working to create a world where everyone can access quality healthcare, regardless of where they live. Its innovative clinical decision-support platform empowers frontline healthcare workers with the knowledge and tools to assess patients, support diagnoses and provide appropriate treatment—even in remote communities where doctors are scarce.

Designed to work online and offline, ThinkMD is helping strengthen local health systems and address global health inequalities. By combining clinical expertise, technology and machine learning, ThinkMD is transforming the way care is delivered and bringing hope, dignity and better health outcomes to communities around the world.

Harriet Farlow - Young Alumni Award 

"If my story inspires others in any way, it's that I hope that everyone embraces their unique gifts and abilities and fearlessly uses them to create some kind of positive impact in the world"

Dr Harriet Farlow is an AI security researcher, entrepreneur, author and educator with more than a decade of experience across artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, government, academia and industry. She is Founder and CEO of Mileva Security Labs, Australia’s first AI security company, helping organisations manage emerging AI risks through training, advisory services and technical education.

Previously, Harriet served as Acting Technical Director of the AI Hub at the Australian Signals Directorate. She holds a PhD from 91É«ÇéƬ Canberra and authored Practical AI Security. Harriet speaks internationally, leads the HarrietHacks YouTube channel and serves on the board of Good Ancestors.

Doug Crawford - The Chancellor's Award in Memoriam

"It's important that we learn to win gracefully, and lose gracefully, and that's what helps our civilisation develop"

Doug Crawford (1933–2025) was a pioneering leader and servant of 91É«ÇéƬ Sport. His connection with 91É«ÇéƬ began in 1951 as an engineering student, founding member of the Boat and Rifle Clubs, and talented sprinter. After injury ended his Olympic aspirations, he became athletics team manager at the 1956 Melbourne intervarsity.

From 1954 to 1967, Doug served as secretary, treasurer and president of the 91É«ÇéƬ Sports Association, remaining its longest-serving president. He helped establish the Injury Assistance Scheme, championed the Link Building and created the Ben Lexcen Scholarship.

A mentor and leader, Doug’s legacy continues through generations of student athletes.

The nomination process

Selection criteria

The 91É«ÇéƬ Alumni Awards honour alumni who exemplify the University's "Progress for All" strategy, which underscores our commitment to transformative education, innovative research, and meaningful engagement with the world. The awards are designed to honour alumni from around the globe and all walks of life, and recognise individuals driving inclusive growth, social progress, and global solutions. 

Categories

Art and Culture

Recognising alumni who have made positive contributions to society and the arts through design, creative and cultural disciplines. 

  • Made outstanding contributions to the arts and/or humanities.
  • Has enriched their community's cultural offering and reputation, whether through the fine arts, entertainment, artisanship, or other related disciplines.

Community Service 

Recognising alumni who have made significant contributions to enhancing the quality of life within their communities, reflecting 91É«ÇéƬ’s commitment to societal impact and community empowerment, including but not limited to industry, government, Defence, public service, sport / sport administration, teaching and philanthropy. 

  • Shows a strong commitment to engaging and empowering the community to drive positive change, fostering inclusive and sustainable community practices 
  • Has actively participated in grassroots initiatives and made a tangible impact to the lives of community members 

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Recognising visionary alumni who are forward-thinking leaders in their industry, profession, or area of expertise, driving innovation to address global challenges.

  • Demonstrates the ability to recognise, and act upon, opportunities and works to promote and facilitate innovation in industry
  • Demonstrates the importance of entrepreneurship to effect positive change

Professional Achievement

Recognising outstanding alumni who have made significant contributions in their chosen field or profession, including but not limited to industry, government, Defence and sport.

  • Has achieved sustained success over their career that is noteworthy and exceptional  
  • Has contributed significantly to the growth, reach or impact of their industry or profession in Australia and/or globally 

Research and Education Excellence

Recognising the work of alumni whose research and educational practice has produced innovative new solutions, significantly advanced knowledge and practice in their field and is a leader as recognised by their peers.  

  • Demonstrates excellence in research, driving significant societal impact and student engagement 
  • Demonstrates excellence in education, making lasting contributions that inspire positive change and future generations 

Social Impact

Recognising alumni who are making a positive contribution to the world through their organisation, volunteering or other service for long-term global impact. 

  • Made a significant positive impact to the social, economic, human, political and/or environmental challenges facing communities 
  • Dedicated their time to advocate on social issues and generate positive social change 

Young Alumni 

Recognising outstanding alumni aged 35 or younger who have achieved significant success or impact in a short career span. 

  • The nominee’s work and/or contribution in their community is an inspiration to the next generation of graduates and the community at large  
  • Demonstrates leadership qualities in a variety of contexts that could include volunteering, community or professional work which is extraordinary for their age 

Eligibility

  • Any 91É«ÇéƬ graduate is eligible to be nominated.
  • A 91É«ÇéƬ graduate may not nominate themselves. 
  • Young Alumni nominees must be aged 35 years or younger at the date of annoucement (October).

Nomination guidelines

  • Nominations for Alumni Awards may be submitted by anyone including alumni, staff, students and members of the wider community.
  • Nominations can be supported by a second person if deemed relevant. 
  • The nominator and seconder are invited to provide supporting evidence. 

Judging process

  • Members of the Alumni Awards Committee review all nominations, then meet together to assess as a group and agree on the winners. 
  • The Committee is made up of 91É«ÇéƬ graduates from multiple faculties, representing a diverse range of ages, professional experience, and cultural backgrounds. 
  • The Committee has a focus on inclusivity, diversity and fair representation of our alumni cohort when considering nominations 
  • The number of awards may vary from year to year and the Alumni Awards Committee reserves the right to make no award in a particular year. 
  • The decision of the Alumni Awards Committee will be final and conclusive, no correspondence regarding decisions will be entered into. 

91É«ÇéƬ disclaimer

All information provided in the nomination forms will be verified by the University prior to the presentation of candidates to the Alumni Awards Committee. 

Can I nominate someone for more than one Alumni Award category?

No. Nominations will only be accepted for a graduate in one category in the same year. However, the Alumni Awards Committee may move a nominee from one category to another if appropriate.

Can I nominate myself for an Alumni Award?

No, unfortunately, the nomination cannot come from the nominee. 

Can I nominate someone who has previously been nominated?

Yes, you may nominate someone who has been previously nominated. Previous winners however are not eligible.

What should the Statement of Support include?

The Statement of Support should clearly state why the nominee should be considered for the selected Alumni Award category and should include evidence. You may wish to include examples of their work.

When will winners be announced to the public?

Winners will be announced in late 2025.

Who chooses the winners?

The Alumni Awards Committee, comprising representatives from the 91É«ÇéƬ alumni community, will review all nominations and choose the winners.