Vice-Chancellor's message

Posted on Dec 2 2024 by a1232371
Professor Peter Hoj

Each year, our Distinguished Alumni Awards honour exceptional individuals who harness the power of their education and experience to advance the common good, both close to home and far beyond our borders.

I am pleased to share with you our inspiring 2024 winners, each of whom is a fine ambassador for the University of Adelaide. Their accomplishments were celebrated at a special event at the recently refurbished Union House on Thursday 27 November.

We are delighted to count recipients of the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Awards amongst our community of 170,000 alumni in 148 countries. Their examples of excellence contribute to our global reputation.

Distinguished Alumni Award

  • Peter Clark: Global wildlife conservation.
  • Tirana Hassan: Protection of human rights.
  • Emeritus Professor Derek Frewin AO: Advancement of medical education and research.

Distinguished International Alumni Award

  • Her Excellency Dr Serey Chea: Economic leadership, advocacy and service to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Tirkapena Indigenous Award

  • Talisha King: Public health and reconciliation.

Outstanding Alumni Contribution to Sport Award

  • Dr Amber Halliday: Significant contribution to the University community and to Australian sport.
  • Graham Winter: Excellence in sport and guiding others as a performance psychologist and author.

James McWha Rising Star Award

  • Dr Hannah Wardill: Cancer research and commitment to supportive oncology.

Alumni Fellow Award

  • Sam Ng
  • Gill Duck
  • Ashleigh Geiger
  • Alan Richardson

Alumni events have been prominent on our 150th calendar this year, creating rewarding opportunities for many of us to connect with our graduates, locally and overseas, and to hear how a University of Adelaide education has been transformative to their lives. Please join me in congratulating our winners, and take the time to discover their inspiring stories and videos on the DAA website.

Finally, I wish to also thank the many nominators and the judging panel. There were many excellent nominations, more than awards available. I congratulate all nominees.

Professor Peter Høj AC
Vice-Chancellor and President

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