Previous Winners

Olivia Noffke, Bachelor of Psychological Science, 2023 Student of the Year

Olivia has demonstrated academic excellence and an outstanding care for her community. She is the recipient of a National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine Research Futures Scholarship, works as a research assistant and is involved in University Governance as a Student Council Member. She has shown dedication to helping others through various roles in community organisations, including as a Residential Youth Worker for Aspire Hub, a Youth Worker for Life Without Barriers and as a private support worker.

Oriana Watts, Bachelor of Social Work

Oriana showed a strong dedication to helping others during her social work placement with North Coast Settlement Services in Coffs Harbour. She went above and beyond to support recently settled refugee community members, developing innovative programs and demonstrating her advocacy both within and outside of her placement hours, overcoming language barriers and complex issues.

Binqiang (Johnny) Zhang, Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)

Binqiang (Johnny) is an active member of the University community and is involved in various committees. He fosters a sense of community and inclusivity, both on and off-campus, through his volunteer work including beach clean-ups, support for LGBTQ+ causes, and his commitment to social justice, diversity and community engagement.

John Palencia, Bachelor of Nursing

John is a leader in the student nursing community. He spearheads an online platform for Southern Cross nursing students. His passion for health extends beyond university, volunteering for St John Ambulance and working as an Assistant Nurse in an acute mental health setting. As a 2023 Regional Youth Taskforce member, he influences policy-makers and advocated for the expansion of the Coffs Harbour Health Precinct.

Chloe Dunemann, Bachelor of Education

With over 375 hours of volunteering and eight years of service under her belt, Chloe has shown active community involvement as a member of Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club. Chloe is Head Coach of Nippers and has received numerous accolades. She also works as a Youth Development Officer and coordinates events such as the Gold Coast Youth Development Camp. Chloe was named Young Person of the Year for Coolangatta at the State Member for Parliament’s Community Champion Awards.

Mekhala Egodawele, Master of Business Administration, Gold Coast Campus

Mekhala is actively involved in the SCU community, championing positive change as a CoastRs Student Association committee member and an International Student Ambassador, and has taken part in campus tours, Orientation events and the Fusion Festival in 2022. She has also volunteered for a number of community events hosted by the Study Gold Coast, Placemakers, and Multicultural Families Organisation.

Benjamin Hockey, Bachelor of Education, Coffs Harbour Campus

Ben is an active and passionate member of the Southern Cross University and Coffs Harbour communities. He is the Vice President of the Student Advisory Group for Education and a UniMentor. Benjamin is also a volunteer with the one-foot forward charity, a blood donor and umpires for local AFL juniors.

Corina Murray, Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours, Gold Coast Campus

Corina has been a longstanding UniMentor at SCU and is also the Student Council Equity Representative for Women. She has also been involved in various volunteer roles at SCU and in the community with the Gilchrist Foundation, Surf Lifesaving and local primary schools.

Gurpreet Singh, Doctor of Philosophy, Coffs Harbour Campus

Gurpreet has fostered the relations between SCU and the broader community through his work as a Student Ambassador. He is involved with ACE Performance, NRL RISE and the Sydney Swans Academy, where he helps improve youth athlete performance. Gurpreet has also served on the University Council and the Higher Degrees by Research Committee.

2022 Student of the Year: Marian Bailey, Doctor of Philosophy, Lismore Campus

Marian went above and beyond in the February 2022 floods while volunteering at the SCU Evacuation Centre working every day for weeks, sometimes working 12-hour shifts. Marian is also very active with many important charities and not-for-profit initiatives, like Treasurer of the LEXSA Student Association, a chair of the SCU RISE Conference, and often participates in and leads social events.

Luke Austin, Bachelor of Marine Science Management, Coffs Harbour Campus

Luke is a Student Ambassador with the Recruitment team and is a passionate environmentalist working with various community organisations within his local community.

Marian Cavanagh, Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies), Gold Coast Campus

Marian is a student leader in the Study Buddi Program at the university. She has helped over 42 students in the program in 2021 and assisted to pivot the program online.

Kashmir Miller, Bachelor of Laws, online

Kashmir is a volunteer student leader with the Orientation and Induction team and Vice President of the SCU Law Association, supporting law students.

Pieta Shakes, Doctor of Philosophy, online

Pieta has founded a registered health promotion charity “Through the Unexpected” to reduce distress and mental health challenges associated with prenatal diagnosis.

Kathleen (Kat) Yee, Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology, Lismore Campus

Kat is a student ambassador with SCU International and in her volunteer role has assisted many commencing international students to transition to university life in Australia.

2021 Student of the Year: Theresa Mitchell, Bachelor of Psychological Science, online

Theresa started Agape Outreach Inc, an organisation serving the homeless and those in need 12 years ago. It has grown into a registered charity with 190 volunteers and 4 employees.

Student Excellence Awards are granted to the following students in recognition who have demonstrated excellence and impact through a significant contribution to enhancing the student experience, fostering positive change or engagement with communities leading to lasting impact.

Student Excellence Award winners are:

Courtney Osborne, is a 3^rd year Bachelor of Clinical Science (Osteopathic Studies) student who is an active volunteer in the areas of sport and mentoring. She has been a sports ambassador and volunteered with UniLife and has helped to coordinate the Byron Bay Surf Camp.

Emanuel Limbongan, first-year Bachelor of Business in Hotel Management at the Hotel School, Melbourne. As an international student, he volunteers with the Cassie project providing support for international students and others at risk of food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Melbourne.

Hunter Mircev-Cox, Bachelor of Psychological Science student, for contribution to campus by volunteering in Global Conversations and initiated and developed a social media support group for psychology students.

Joshua Cotton, Bachelor of Business student who was an excellent contributor to social sport and national championship programs as a volunteer sports ambassador.

Kaarin Goeldner, Bachelor of Nursing student is a volunteer leader for Orientation and the UniMentor program and has been accepted into the Australian College of Nursing emerging nurse leader program.

Ken Dinh, is a passionate international student who actively supports international students during Orientation and throughout the academic year. He is also active with Study Gold Coast as a student leader.

Larissa Jordan, Bachelor of Occupational Therapy student is an excellent volunteer sports ambassador at the Gold Coast campus. She was instrumental in the development of the SCU Netball program and helped out with UniSport National Championships and Intervarsity Sports Bowl.

Mahmudur Rahman, a PhD student who actively supporting students during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is also a UniMentor and helped contribute to the Parent Room at the Lismore campus and actively participated in the SCU Fusion Festival each year and postgrad conferences.

Meisha Grant, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education (Secondary) for her long-standing commitment to community service and social justice in the community. She volunteers at the Cisarua Learning Centre – a refugee-led school in Indonesia.

Nicolas Colbrelli Adams, Bachelor of Arts/Education (Secondary) for his commitment to excellence in multimedia and assisting with online teaching resources for the Careers and Employability team. He is also an exemplary Senior Leader and Team Leader for the Orientation and Induction team.

Rhiannon Mitchell, a first-year Bachelor of Marine Science and Management student who is passionate about the marine environment and empowering Aboriginal women. She created an indigenous girls group called “Sistas and Salt” on the Coffs Coast and runs workshops and mentoring in ocean conservation.

Snowy (Zachariah) Frankland, Bachelor of Arts student who founded FLUNK Magazine in 2020 with some other students and is the Editor thus contributing to campus community and arts and culture. He is also part of a student team that runs a monthly writing salon called Flamingos Writers Salon in Lismore.

Tyrone Orr, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education (Secondary) volunteered as an SCU UniLife Esports Convenor in Esports Rocket League. He has also represented SCU in AEL university tournaments as well as the UniSport Esports Championships.

2020 Sports Blue Award Recipient and Student Excellence Award winner: Zachary Marceau, Bachelor of Media and Communications student for his outstanding performance in 2020 and his selection to represent SCU and Australia and Oceania region in World Uni Championships for FIFFA20.

2020 Student of the Year winner: Zoe Bertuzzi, Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science student for excellence in sports volunteering, student leadership, sports ambassadorship and an overall exemplary student leader for School of Law and Justice.

Sports Team of the Year Award: In recognition of a team of students who have demonstrated exceptional sportspersonship and gone above and beyond to contribute to the success of their sport. Winner – 2019 SCU Women’s Futsal Team with team members Neesa Doyle, Britt Hargreaves, Eloise Fryer, Kristy Bloomfield, Jennifer Peisley, Alexandra Dooley, Courtney Jameson, Mariel Hecher, Zoe Macris, Kimberley Waite, Zoe Bertuzzi, Chelsea Mangan, Tina-Lee Miles-Ward and Jessica Maynard.

Contribution to Campus Award: In recognition of a student (or group of students) who has demonstrated outstanding leadership through a significant contribution to enhancing the student experience at Southern Cross University. Winners – Sally Gregory, Doctor of Philosophy and Dee Dier Cozette Siers, Bachelor of Psychological Science

Environmental Champion Award: In recognition of a student (or team of students) who has demonstrated excellence, leadership and/or innovation in sustainability. This award celebrates the work of students who are leading the way in making Southern Cross University and its community’s places where people and nature thrive. Winner – Stefhan Dwyer, Bachelor of Marine Science Management

Excellence in The Arts: In recognition of a student (or group of students) who has made an outstanding contribution to the creative and performing arts at Southern Cross University. The nominee/s will demonstrate their achievements in the performing, visual, written, multi media arts areas and be recognised at a local, national or state level. Winner – Tom Mwanza, Bachelor of Music student

Sports Blues Awards: In recognition of an individual who has demonstrated excellence in their chosen sport.

Winners:

• Danielle McKenzie – OCEAN SKI RACING
• Isaiah Koopsman - TRIATHLON
• Bryce Watson – SURFING

Community Champion Award: In recognition of a student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in a collaborative process connecting the university with communities in an exchange of knowledge, expertise and experience. Community engagement for this award involves responding to identified needs and working in partnership to build capacity. Winner – Sherwin Latosa, Master of Social Work (Qualifying Program)

UniMentor Award: In recognition of a student who goes above and beyond to create a positive impact on the retention of new students to Southern Cross University through the UniMentor program. Winner – Jayne Tayler, Bachelor of Laws

Sportsperson of the Year Award: In recognition of a student who has demonstrated exceptional sportspersonship and gone above and beyond to contribute to the success of his or her sport, a Southern Cross University sporting club or a community event or club. Winners – Moesha Johnson, Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Britt Hargreaves, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education

Leadership Award: In recognition of a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership through a significant contribution to enhancing the student experience, fostering positive change or engagement with communities that led to meaningful knowledge transfer. Winner – Sherwin Latosa, Master of Social Work (Qualifying Program)