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Meet the 2023 Alumni Award winners

24 October 2023

Celebrating the impact of our alumni and graduates

Each year, the University of Sydney awards six Alumni Achievement Awards to alumni in recognition of their outstanding achievements and contributions to their communities.

The winners of the 2023 Alumni Awards have made outstanding contributions to their fields and the University community. Nominees are judged on their integrity, creativity, determination, leadership, resilience, compassion and achievement.

The Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the strengths of our alumni community and say thank you to those who continue to make the world a better place. Join us in celebrating our incredible winners, and click through to read more of their stories.

Dr Stephen Hicks wins Alumni Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Dr Stephen Hicks (BSc '99, PhD '05) was only ten years old when glasses allowed him see stars for the first time. Now his cutting-edge work is combining medicine and techology to restore sight to others.

Professor Elizabeth Elliott wins Alumni Award for Professional Achievement

Dr Elizabeth Elliott's (MBBS '80, MD '92, MPhil '09) dedication to the field of paediatrics has helped to shape policy, improve health outcomes and secure a brighter future for some of our most disadvantaged children.

Naomi Malone wins Alumni Award for Service to Humanity

Naomi Malone's (BA '94, LLB '96) love of history and her lived experience with a disability has made her a supportive advocate for inclusion and accessibility. 

Georgia Dawson wins Alumni Award for International Achievement

Georgia Dawson (BA '98, LLB '00) is an international success story. As Senior Partner at London law firm, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, she is one of the most prominent Australian lawyers in the world.

Imants Tillers wins Alumni Award for Cultural Contribution

Though he was studying architecture, Imants Tillers (BSc (Architecture) '73) was drawn to the arts and the culture around the newly-formed Tin Sheds galleries. The style he developed in this period has made him one of Australia's most recognisable post-modern artists.

Margaret Zhang wins Outstanding Achievements of Young Alumni Award

At 27, Margaret Zhang (BCom '17, LLB '18) was youngest person to be appointed Editor-in-chief in Vogue's history. In this special Q&A, she shares her thoughts on creativity, careers and combining her love of fashion with cross-disciplinary insight. 

As part of the Alumni Awards, the University also recognises the successes of our newest graduates with the awarding of Graduate Medals. Read more about our 2023 Graduate Medallists.

Nominations for the 2024 Alumni Awards and Graduate Medals are now open. Learn more.

Know an exceptional graduate?

Nominate them for the 2024 Alumni Awards

Meet our medallists

Winners of the 2023 Graduate Medals

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