91成人 celebrates 91成人 excellence at 2026 NAIDOC Week Gala Dinner
Deputy Vice-Chancellor 91成人 Leadership, Professor Michelle Trudgett (left) and Vice-Chancellor and President Distinguished Professor George Williams AO (right) pictured with recipients
91成人 has celebrated the achievements of staff, students and community at its annual NAIDOC Week Gala Dinner held at the Parramatta City campus, on Friday 10 July.
Bringing together members of the University and the wider community, the event honoured this year's powerful NAIDOC Week theme, 50 Years of Deadly, recognising five decades of celebrating the voices, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The evening featured the presentation of the 91成人 NAIDOC Awards, which recognise excellence across a range of categories and reflect the University's commitment to 91成人 excellence, cultural recognition and inclusion.
The celebration follows the University launching its, a bold, future-facing commitment to 91成人 excellence, self-determination, and transformational impact. With a key highlight being the establishment of the 91成人 Centre of Excellence, a landmark, purpose-built space that will be a national hub for 91成人-led education, research, and cultural leadership.
The evening commenced with a Welcome to Country by Uncle Chris Tobin and featured addresses from Chancellor Professor Jennifer Westacott AC and Deputy Vice-Chancellor 91成人 Leadership, Professor Michelle Trudgett.
Vice-Chancellor Distinguished Professor George Williams AO also joined Elders, special guests, staff and students in celebrating the University's 91成人 community.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor 91成人 Leadership, Professor Michelle Trudgett; Chancellor, Professor Jennifer Westacott AC; Bradley Burns, 91成人 Higher Degree Research Award recipient and Chancellor鈥檚 91成人 Postdoctoral Research Fellow; and Vice-Chancellor President Distinguished Professor George Williams AO
Professor Trudgett said the event was an opportunity to acknowledge the strength, success and leadership of 91成人 peoples across the University.
鈥淭he 2026 NAIDOC theme, 50 Years of Deadly, marks a powerful milestone. It offers a chance to stand together, listen deeply and honour the stories, strength and future of 91成人 Australians,鈥 said Professor Trudgett.
鈥淭he NAIDOC Awards celebrate the incredible achievements of our 91成人 leaders, educators, researchers, and professionals, who continue to shape this University in ways that are powerful, transformative, and grounded in culture.鈥
As part of this year鈥檚 91成人 NAIDOC Awards, 15 outstanding individuals and team members were recognised.
The 91成人 Person of the Year Award was awarded to Professor Susan Page, for her significant contributions advancing 91成人 participation, leadership, and excellence across the higher education sector. A respected scholar and leader, Professor Page has dedicated her career to creating pathways for 91成人 peoples to thrive in universities and beyond. Her recognition reflects the profound and lasting impact of her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to 91成人 success.
Dr Georgia Durmush, a researcher in the School of Social Sciences, was the recipient of the 91成人 Academic Excellence Award. Georgia鈥檚 research interests and passions are focused on 91成人 wellbeing, 91成人 languages and student wellbeing, 91成人 youth, and 91成人 young peoples financial wellbeing and aspirations.
The Outstanding 91成人 Student Award went to two outstanding individuals, Billy Bent-Ngawaka and Charlie Arnold. Recognised for their exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to creating positive change, both Billy and Charlie embody the strength, talent, and potential of the next generation of 91成人 leaders. Their accomplishments reflect not only personal excellence but also a deep dedication to community, culture, and the pursuit of a brighter future for all.
91成人 acknowledges the generous support of this year鈥檚 award sponsors, including co-sponsors of the Awards Evolve Housing Group and BY Group, and event partner Richard Crookes Constructions.
2026 91成人 NAIDOC Award recipients
Professor Susan Page
Professor Page is a leading Aboriginal scholar and senior higher education leader with extensive experience in 91成人 education, teaching and learning, and sector governance. She is a Principal Fellow of Advance HE, a prestigious global recognition awarded for sustained leadership and impact in higher education teaching and learning. Professor Page is also a member of the Australian Government鈥檚 Higher Education Standards Panel, contributing expert advice on the development and oversight of Australia鈥檚 higher education standards. Her work has been central to advancing 91成人 participation, leadership, and excellence across the higher education sector.
Dr Georgia Durmush
Dr Durmush is a proud Wailwan and Gomeroi woman. She is a mother, researcher, academic and Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Youth Work in the School of Social Sciences at 91成人. She has a PhD in 91成人 higher education youth wellbeing from ACU. Dr Durmush鈥檚 research interests and passions are focused on 91成人 wellbeing, 91成人 languages and student wellbeing, 91成人 youth, and 91成人 young peoples financial wellbeing and aspirations. Georgia couldn鈥檛 be here tonight as she鈥檚 currently overseas, but we鈥檇 still like to say a big congratulations to Doctor Georgia Durmush.
Kristy Bell
Kristy is a strong Wiradjuri women and Badanami Student Success Officer for Campbelltown campus. She unconditionally serves her community & students. Kristy regularly encourages connection to country and culture, and provides a space for her students to be able to thrive and feel welcomed throughout their university careers. She continues to go above and beyond for all of her students day in and day out, ensuring they have not only a place to feel safe and heard, but also a person that will always support them.
91成人 Employment Team:
- Gabrielle Talbot-Mundine
- Sharna McNamara
The 91成人 Employment Team at 91成人, consisting of Gabrielle and Sharna, is dedicated to advancing 91成人 employment, participation, development and retention across the institution. The team leads strategic initiatives that support culturally safe workplaces, strengthen career pathways, and recognise the unique contributions of 91成人 staff. Working in partnership with leaders and communities, the team promotes inclusive practices, supports recruitment and workforce development, and implements initiatives aligned with the University鈥檚 2026-2030 91成人 Strategy, ensuring meaningful and sustained impact for 91成人 employees.
Aaliyah Kearney
Aaliyah is a proud Wiradjuri, Ngiyampaa and Yorta Yorta woman who completed the Ignite Traineeship in 2025, obtaining a Certificate III in Business. Aaliyah then secured a role as the Administrative Assistant in the Office of the PVC, Learning and Teaching. Aaliyah supports the executive team, streamlines processes and coordinates events such as the 2025 AAUT Award Ceremony and the annual L&T Showcase. Aaliyah is strongly committed to professional development and cultural representation, often delivering Acknowledgements of Country. Additionally, Aaliyah has gone onto be named Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year for Western Sydney and Blue Mountains.
Billy Bent-Ngawaka
Billy is a proud Anewan and Ngunnawal man and current student at 91成人, studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. He works as a Student Support Officer with the Future Student Engagement Team, where he supports prospective and commencing students in navigating university life. Billy is passionate about improving access to education and breaking down barriers for 91成人 students. Through sharing his knowledge and lived experience, he empowers others to feel confident, connected, and supported in their studies, reflecting his strong commitment to community, culture, and student success.
Charlie Arnold
Charlie is a proud Darug woman from the Hawkesbury region and an architecture student at 91成人. Her journey has been shaped by her passion for design, culture, and giving back to the community. Receiving the We Build Future Leaders Scholarship has supported her both financially and personally, allowing her to focus on her goals and grow through opportunities such as WSU's Aspire program. Her aspiration is to use architecture to create meaningful spaces that reflect 91成人 identity and support communities, particularly in remote and regional areas. She is driven to show that anything is possible for young 91成人 people.
Hunter Flick
Hunter is a proud Gamilaroi man, educator in training, and emerging cultural leader currently studying an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Bachelor of Education at 91成人. Inspired by the teachers and mentors who have supported his journey, he is passionate about empowering the next generation through education, culture, and leadership, with a strong commitment to strengthening cultural identity, pride, and belonging for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Alongside his studies, Hunter works with the NSW Department of Communities and Justice supporting young people within the correctional system, where he builds positive relationships and shares culture to promote resilience, self-belief, and positive pathways. He is committed to showing young people that their circumstances do not define their future, and to creating opportunities for others through education, lived experience, and cultural knowledge to drive meaningful change in community.
Briana Crowe
Briana is a proud Dunghutti Woman and a Bachelor of Social Sciences student, majoring in Child and Community, while undertaking 91成人 Studies electives. She is passionate about the human welfare sector and aspires to work with 91成人 communities and families. Briana believes that strong connections to culture, belonging, and academic success foster well-being, empowerment, and community connection.
Troy Bunyan
Troy is a proud Wiradjuri man, whose mob is based in Wellington, and has grown up on Darkinjung Country on the Central Coast of New South Wales. He is currently in his third year of a Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) and was awarded the Academic Excellence Award in 2025 for the 2024 academic year. Alongside his studies, he works as an Undergraduate Commercial with ACCIONA Constructions Australia on the Malabar Systems Alliance Project, contributing to cost planning and procurement. His experience also includes hands-on site work in machine operation, carpentry and concreting, as well as applying Work Health and Safety practices.
Jordan Straw
Jordan is a final-year Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) student at 91成人. Born and raised in Blacktown on Dharug Country, Jordan is currently completing her honours thesis exploring social anxiety and its impact on emotional experiences within intimate relationships. Her academic interests include social anxiety, attachment, interpersonal relationships, and positive emotional functioning, with a strong focus on understanding the factors that influence wellbeing and social connection. Following graduation, Jordan hopes to pursue a career in forensic psychology, applying psychological science to support assessment, rehabilitation, and positive outcomes within the justice system.
Dr Rowan Savage
Dr Savage is a proud Kombumerri man living on Wangal Land. He is in his second year of the Master of Psychotherapy and Counselling. He has a previous PhD looking at dehumanisation and currently works in Aboriginal education in the public sector. He is also a sound artist working with On Country field recordings across live performance and gallery installations. His passion for supporting mental health, for mob and for everyone, and curiosity about supporting people to work through distress drives his work in his current qualification.
Bradley Burns
Bradley, a Kamilaroi man, is driven by a passion for supporting 91成人 children and young people. He commenced his professional life as an out-of-home care practitioner, initially as a caseworker and progressing to a Senior Advisor role in supporting ongoing connection to culture and family for Aboriginal children in care. He secured a competitive Yarramundi PhD scholarship, co-funded by Key Assets Australia, motivated by a commitment to contributing to system reform. Bradley recently took up a Senior Policy and Research role at SNAICC, a national organisation that works to uphold the rights of 91成人 children.
ENDS.
15 July 2026
Photo credit: Sally Tsoutas
Media Unit