UNE Alumni Award winners: take a bow

Our judges had a challenge selecting this year's alumni award winners from a stellar line-up.

In the end, three outstanding candidates have been recognised with UNE Distinguished Alumni Awards. They are leading international agricultural researcher Professor Anthony Whitbread, health educator and social justice advocate Dr David Werner, and local Elder and Director of the Armidale Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place Rose Lovelock.

This year's Community Award winner is active volunteer Jesse Inglis, and Rising Star is Dr Brooke Kennedy, who has been rewarded for her dedication to education and support for First Nations programs. Both have performed with distinction in their professional and personal lives, with Jesse working to support refugees, the homeless and disabled in Mexico, Spain, Kenya and India.

"I warmly congratulate this year's award winners and applaud their far-reaching impact on local, national and international communities," said chair of the awards selection committee, UNE Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Moran.

"I warmly congratulate this year's award winners and applaud their far-reaching impact on local, national and international communities," said chair of the awards selection committee, UNE Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Moran.

"Throughout 2024 I have had the pleasure of meeting many inspiring alumni around the country as we celebrate UNE's 70^th year. The calibre of people nominated for these prestigious awards further demonstrates the power of a UNE education to change lives and communities."

Distinguished Alumni Awards recognise those who have made significant contributions during their careers, displaying outstanding leadership and embodying UNE's values of creativity, innovation, risk-taking, access and inclusion.

UNE's Community Alumni Awards pay tribute to significant contributions (through paid or unpaid work) in the community sector, philanthropic or public life or through support for not-for-profit organisations.

Each year, UNE also names Rising Star Award winners (from the pool of graduates from the past 15 years) who have displayed outstanding leadership and will inspire future generations of UNE graduates.

"Thank you to all alumni who shared their achievements with us via award nominations this year," said Professor Moran. "We are immensely proud of each and every one of our graduands, who we invite to engage with UNE as we embark on the next exciting chapter in the university's proud history."

We will share the inspirational stories of all award winners in the weeks to come.

• Contact:
• Alumni Relations
• +61 2 6773 2551
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