Past recipients

Professor Gary Foley was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to Aboriginal Australian advocacy, welfare and rights. Gary was a co-founder of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra in 1972, played a pivotal role in organising protests against the Springbok tour in 1971, and was involved in the formation of the Aboriginal Legal Service in Redfern and the Aboriginal Medical Service in Melbourne and Sydney. He co-wrote and appeared in the first Aboriginal stage production in 1972, Basically Black, helped to establish the National Black Theatre, and he has starred in films such as Backroads and Dogs in Space, as well as being the first director of the Aboriginal Arts Board of the Australia Council. Gary organised protests to highlight Indigenous issues at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games and, during the Bicentenary, was a consultant to the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. He also campaigned successfully against the closure of Northland Secondary College in 1993. From 2001- 2005 Gary was the Senior Curator for South Eastern Australia at Museum Victoria.

Gary was awarded the Chancellor's Medal for this PhD thesis at The University of Melbourne on the development of the Black Power movement within the Aboriginal community, and is the author of a forthcoming book on this topic. He has also been published in numerous journals including Griffith Law Review and the Australian Journal of Human Rights. Gary is now Professor at the Moondani Balluk Indigenous Academic Unit at Victoria University.

The Faculty of Arts is proud to acknowledge Gary's dedication and contribution to academic writing and research, to advocacy and activism, to film and acting, and particularly to Aboriginal health, welfare and rights. Gary has made an extraordinary mark on the history not only of this campus and its students, but also on a world in which the role of activism and advocacy remains critical.

I got thrown out of school when I was 15 years old on the North coast of New South Wales by a racist headmaster who dismissed me with these words; "We don't want your kind here". Those words demolished my self-esteem, my self-confidence for 30 years. I came to the University almost at the age of 50, so it's a little bit of a concern to get a Lifetime Achievement Award at this age because sort of implies that I'm getting towards the end of my life. I think there's a few bites left in this old dog yet, mate! I want to pay particular tribute to Professor Nikos Papastergiadis, who was my PhD supervisor… he played a key role in helping me discipline my mind and achieve the award I received for my PhD. I also want to pay particular tribute to Dr Tony Birch, who was the first Aboriginal historian to graduate from this University … he was a role-model and a mentor for me. One other person that I'd like to pay tribute to is Dr Steven Welch, who was really one of the truly inspirational historians I studied under at this University. It was a fantastic experience…’

Jason Ball was presented with the Rising Star Award for his commendable leadership and outstanding contribution in the fields of anti-discrimination and LGBTIQ advocacy. After publicly coming out in 2012 as the first openly gay Australian Rules footballer at any level of competition, Jason launched a national campaign to challenge homophobia in sport, starting a petition calling on the Australian Football League (AFL) to play 'No To Homophobia' ads on the big screen of the 2012 AFL Grand Final and to commit to a Pride Round the following year. The petition received almost 30,000 signatures and gained national and international media coverage leading to major advances in the AFL's commitment to creating a more inclusive environment for all players and supporters. Jason led the 18th Pride March Victoria with his teammates from the Yarra Glen Football Club, and he initiated the annual Pride Cup, a country football match to celebrate diversity and promote LGBTIQ inclusion. In 2013 Jason was appointed an ambassador for beyondblue to speak about issues of mental health, in schools, sporting clubs and conferences around Australia.

An outspoken political activist, Jason is standing as the Australian Greens candidate for the 2016 federal election in the division of Higgins.

There's a bit of a stereotype that an Arts degree doesn't give you the workplace-ready, job skills that you need in the community… My Bachelor of Arts developed my abilities to communicate clearly and reach people from a variety of walks in life. Not only that, but it gave me the confidence to stand up for what matters most to me and that is equality.

Lucy Thomas (BCA(Hons), PGradDipPsych)

Lucy Thomas was presented with the Rising Star Award for being an outstanding innovator and contributor in the fields of social advocacy and education. Cofounder of PROJECT ROCKIT, Australia's largest youth driven anti-bullying movement combatting hate and prejudice, Lucy has been passionate and tireless in her campaign to fight bullying. Launched in 2006 by Lucy and her sister Rosie, PROJECT ROCKIT has united hundreds of thousands of young people around Australia over the past decade, helping them to feel confident to take a stand against bullying. Lucy and Rosie have served as spokespeople and consultants on cybersafety campaigns lead by research centre Young and Well CRC, headspace, Telstra, Microsoft and the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

In 2015 Lucy became an inaugural member of Twitter's global Trust and Safety Council and took up the post of Australian delegate in Facebook's compassion research summit. Lucy is also a committed LGBTIQ campaigner and sits on the board of Minus18, supporting same sex attracted and gender diverse teens. In 2014 Lucy and her sister were appointed by Unicef as one of 12 Digital Champions around the world for Children's Rights in the Digital Age.

Lucy frequently lends her expertise to consult on issues related to young people and technology contributing to programs such as ABC's Compass, Triple J's Hack, The Herald Sun and Dolly and Cleo magazines.

I'm just going to quickly share an idea; this is the idea on which PROJECT ROCKIT was founded, and I think The University of Melbourne is a great petri dish for ideas. The idea is simple, it's not very original, but it's really powerful: imagine a world where kindness and respect thrive over bullying, hate, and prejudice.

I think our task is to take the grit of our every day; the horrors, the struggles, and the boringness of our lives and transform them into something really valuable for others. And that's what I think we all need to do to make this world a kinder place for everyone, so thank you.

Emeritus Professor Chris Wallace-Crabbe was presented with the Contribution to the Faculty and University Award for his extraordinary support for poetry, scholarship and education over many years. Chris is a celebrated poet and academic who,alongside a long career at The University of Melbourne, also held the posts of Visiting Professor of Australian Studies at Harvard University and at the University of Venice, Ca'Foscari. He is the founding director of the Australian Centre and currently the Chair of Australian Poetry Limited. A celebrated poet, essayist and critic, Chris has dedicated much of his life to teaching the next generation of creative writers at Melbourne. Chris's academic, creative and intellectual leadership across the disciplines of English, Creative Writing and Australian Studies are widely acknowledged and have benefited innumerable students and staff over his years at the University. The role Chris played in the creation of the Australian Centre in particular has left a significant legacy.

Chris was recently acknowledged by the judges of The Melbourne Prize for his outstanding contribution to Australian literature, cultural and intellectual life. The distinction of his poetry has rightly been recognised by numerous awards, and alumni have commented warmly on his remarkable teaching and supervision of students, his role as a mentor for students and staff, and his generosity in continuing to contribute creatively and intellectually to this institution.

My father, who was a journalist, said: 'There's one thing kid - you've gotta be interested in everything…' What I've found with the University community is an encouragement to be interested in everything, an encouragement to communicate, and I've loved the way in which generation after generation of successive students has come up different and eager to do this…

Lily Yulianti was presented with the Leadership Award for her community and organisational development in the field of media and communications in both Indonesia and Australia. Lily began her career in writing and journalism working for various Indonesian, Japanese and Australian media outlets. After completing her Masters degree at the University of Melbourne, Lily founded Indonesia's first citizen journalism web site, Panyingkul, which provides free writing courses for emerging writers of any background in her home-town Makassar, South Sulawesi Indonesia. Lily spearheaded the "Makkunrai Project", a program raising gender awareness through literature and stage performance. Lily is also the founder of Rumata' Artspace, an independent creative arts centre producing local opportunities and a centre for excellence in culture and arts in the city of Makassar. She is the initiator and director of the "Makassar International Writers Festival."

Lily's strong belief in the transformative power of the written word has seen her publishing her own work and frequently presenting at literary festivals around the world.

I do believe there's beauty in the way people at the grassroots can communicate and connect with each other. I feel connected across both Australia and Indonesia. That's why every time when people ask 'So where do you live now, Lily?,' I say I live in Makassar and Melbourne.

The Arts Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual who has made an outstanding, long-term and internationally-recognised contribution to their field of endeavour. The Faculty of Arts was thrilled to award a Lifetime Achievement Award to Peter Singer in 2015. Peter is an internationally recognised moral philosopher and proponent of effective altruism. Often described as the world’s most influential living philosopher, Professor Peter Singer, AC completed both a Bachelor and Master of Arts at the University of Melbourne. He is an Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University, and Laureate Professor at our own School of Historical and Philosophical Studies. A moral philosopher, Peter has authored countless articles and more than twenty books. In 2004 Peter was recognised as the Australian Humanist of the Year by the Council of Australian Humanist Societies, in 2006 he was voted one of Australia's ten most influential public intellectuals, and on 11 June 2012, he was named a Companion of the Order of Australia for “eminent service to philosophy and bioethics as a leader of public debate and communicator of ideas in the areas of global poverty, animal welfare and the human condition.”

The Contribution to the Faculty and University Award is bestowed upon an individual who has made a significant and sustained contribution to the Faculty and University through outstanding leadership, impact on students, research and teaching, engagement or philanthropy. The 2015 Contribution to the Faculty and University Award was awarded to Michael Bartlett, in recognition of his tireless commitment to the study of Classics at the University of Melbourne. Educated at the University of Melbourne and Cambridge University, Michael’s passion for the classical world continues to this day. In collaboration with staff in the Classics and Archaeology program at The University of Melbourne, in 2008 Michael established the series, 'Classics in the city', which offers a number of seminars across the year on topics devoted to various aspects of antiquity including ancient philosophy, literature, history, music, mythology and archaeology. Since 2013 a key priority of the Melbourne Humanities Foundation Board has been to build support for a Chair in Classics at The University of Melbourne.

Championing all things classical on the Melbourne Humanities Foundation Board, Michael chaired the dedicated group raising funds to support the teaching of Classics and Ancient World Studies. The group’s goal has been to see the Chair of Classics - one of the first chairs established by the University in 1854 - fully funded in perpetuity in order to ensure that the legacy of the ancient world endures for future generations. In April 2013, in his role as Chairman, Michael was able to see the first stage of this task come to fruition following a gift of $20,000 for the purpose of establishing the 'Classics Trust Fund'. The Fund supports not only the establishment and endowment of a chair of Classics, but also teaching and research, and purchase of equipment and facilities for the support of general Classics initiatives. With the assistance of over fifty gifts, including generous support from alumni Mrs Elizabeth and Professor James Tatoulis, the Faculty is delighted that it is now close to Michael's goal.

The Leadership Award is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in business, community or government. In 2015, the Faculty of Arts proudly presented Ms Erika Feller with this award, for her inspiring leadership in the field of refugee advocacy and humanitarianism. Erika Feller is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of International Affairs and a Vice Chancellor’s Fellow at the Univeristy of Melbourne. From 2005 to 2013 Erika held the post of Assistant High Commissioner (Protection), one of the four top management positions with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In this capacity she was responsible for overseeing the protection of 34 million refugees, internally displaced and stateless people. With more than 40 years of experience in international human rights and refugee law, Erika is at the forefront of the development of UN policies, law procedures and frameworks, monitoring the movement and treatment of refugees around the world, including in Australia.

Awarded for her demonstrated excellence in advocacy, campaigning, capacity building, not for profit leadership, program management, Ms Stephanie Cousins received the 2015 Rising Star Award for Young Alumni. A recognized expert in humanitarian and human rights policy, Stephanie is currently Amnesty International's Government Relations Manager, having previously led Oxfam's Public Policy & Advocacy team. Among her many achievements, Stephanie counts input into Australia’s strategy, priorities and agenda on the UN Security Council and the establishment of the Pacific Small Arms Action Group. As Chair of the Pacific Small Arms Action Group, Stephanie oversaw the group’s contribution to the establishment of the legally binding international Arms Trade Treaty in 2013. She has trained Indonesian Defence Force personnel on the protection of civilians and prevention of sexual violence in emergencies, as well as working on secondment as a Humanitarian Policy Advisor with Oxfam International to support international advocacy and UN representation on humanitarian and human rights issues.

In 2007 Stephanie established and directed the first ever refugee camp simulation - Oxfam’s Refugee Realities. This program was designed to educate Australians about the experiences and rights of refugees around the world. Initially located in Melbourne, the simulation involved the coordination of over 200 volunteers, ran for four weeks, and was attended by more than 7,000 people. Partners such as the UNHCR, the Australian Red Cross and the Refugee Council of Australia partnered in the project, which was subsequently funded by AusAID and offered in Canberra and three additional regional locations in 2009 and 2010. As a passionate campaigner for global justice, Stephanie is tireless in her attempts to make the world a fairer and more equal place.

Mr Thomas Woodroofe (MIR 2012)

The Rising Star Award for Young Alumni recognising outstanding leadership and impact as a global citizen was also awarded to Mr Thomas Woodroofe in 2015. Thom founded Left Right Think-Tank in 2009, for which he was recognised as the Young Victorian of the Year. In 2011 while he was completing his honours thesis on Australia's campaign for the UN Security Council, Thom grasped the opportunity to help galvanise public support behind the campaign. Through his writing, Thom outlined the case for Australia’s bid, culminating in a joint op-ed piece with Kevin Rudd, Alexander Downer and Gareth Evans. Since helping to build the bipartisan case for supporting Australia's bid, Thom has consulted with a number of different countries about how they can best structure their own campaigns for the UN Security Council.

In 2011, Thom also began work to establish Global Voices, which now provides Australia's leading opportunity for young people to attend international diplomatic events. Through Global Voices programs, almost 150 young people have now travelled overseas, fully-funded to events such as the G20, APEC and various UN meetings. Since graduating from a Master of International Relations in late 2012, Thom has worked with Independent Diplomat, the world's first non-profit diplomatic advisory group. He is currently supporting the Republic of the Marshall Islands, one of the lowest lying atoll nations, as they build their diplomatic capacity to influence negotiations for a new global deal on climate change. Working closely with the President, Foreign Minister and Senior Officials as they structure their diplomatic efforts, the Marshall Islands have become one of the most vocal vulnerable countries on climate change during this period. As a 2014 Rhodes Scholar, Thom has moved to Oxford and now completes this work part-time while he writes a thesis on the role of small states in international diplomacy.

The 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award went to Mr Alex Miller for his outstanding contribution to the field of Australian literature. Mr Miller's impressive body of work has received global recognition, which is reflected by his many awards and prizes. Mr Miller is a two-time recipient of The Miles Franklin Award for his works The Ancestor Game (1993) and Journey to the Stone Country (2003). His other accolades include the New South Wales Premier's Literary Award, the Christina Stead Prize for Fiction (2001; 2011); the Commonwealth Writer's Prize (1993), the Age Book of the Year Award (2007), the Melbourne Prize for Literature (2012), and the Victorian Premier's Award for Literature (2014).

Professor Peter McPhee was awarded the 2014 Contribution to the Faculty and University Award. His contribution to the Faculty and University has been outstanding in both scope and influence across many years, with positions of academic leadership including Deputy Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Head of the Department of History, President of the University's Academic Board, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and the University’s first Provost. Widely acknowledged as an outstanding teacher, Professor McPhee's involvement in the planning and introduction of the University's 'Melbourne Model' leaves a significant legacy at the University. In 2012 Professor McPhee was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service to tertiary education administration, to the discipline of history as an academic and author, and to professional associations.

Dr Helen Szoke was the recipient of the 2014 Leadership Award. Dr Szoke received the Leadership Award for her commendable leadership and outstanding contribution to the fields of race discrimination, equal opportunity, human rights and global poverty. She is recognised for her contributions to community development, organizational development and regulation in the education, health and NGO sectors. Most notably, Dr Szoke is commended for her leadership in the expansion of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission’s functions under the Charter of Human Rights Act, and the modernisation of the Equal Opportunity Act in Victoria. She is currently the Chief Executive of Oxfam Austalia, Co-Chair of 'Play by the Rules' (a collaboration to prevent discrimination, harassment and child safety issues in sport), a Board Member of Multicultural Arts Victoria, and a member of the Advisory Committee for the Centre for International Mental Health, School of Population Health University of Melbourne.

Awarded for her outstanding contribution and leadership to the community in a wide variety of fields, in particular multiculturalism, journalism and public health initiatives, Ms Jenny Taing received the 2014 Rising Star Award for Young Alumni. Alongside her work as a lawyer for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Ms Taing has served as a member of the board of the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, as a Commissioner of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, on the advisory board for the University of Melbourne's Centre for Advancing Journalism and was also named among INTHEBLACK Magazine's 40 Young Business Leaders for 2013.

Dr Toby Ord (BA/BSc(Hons) 2002 UMelb, BPhil 2005, DPhil 2009 Oxford)

The Rising Star Award for Young Alumni recognising outstanding leadership and impact as a global citizen was also presented to Dr Toby Ord. Dr Ord has achieved global recognition for his academic and humanitarian achievements in the fields of Ethics, Global Poverty and Philanthropy. In 2009, Dr Ord launched Giving What We Can, an international society whose members pledge to donate at least 10% of their income to anti-poverty charities. Through his work with Giving What We Can, Dr Ord has helped raise more than a quarter of a billion dollars. He has multiple academic publications, has been featured in the media over 100 times, and actively disseminates information and evidence from his area of expertise to bodies such as the World Health Organisation and the World Bank.