2023 UNSW Culture Awards - our winners

The UNSW Culture Awards celebrate student contribution to the cultural, artistic and community life of the university. On Thursday 9 November, students and clubs were acknowledged for their leadership and innovation in art, music, religious programs, and engagement within our diverse campus community. We enjoyed performances from student ensembles, and recognised the creative breadth of our extra-curricular campus experiences. 

Our thanks to Professor Sarah Maddison, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education & Student Experience, Professor Bruce Watson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Inclusion, Professor Alex Steel, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Education & Student Experience, Neil Morris, Director of Wellbeing, Cameron Faricy, Head of Student Wellbeing, Dr Craig Billingham, School of the Arts & Media, and Dr Steven Hillinger, Conductor of the UNSW Orchestra for their involvement in presenting awards, with the leaders of the Culture portfolio, Senior Curator of Art Elena Taylor and Creative Program Manager of Music Performance Eleasha Mah. 


Club contribution to international student experience award - Islamic Society of UNSW

awarded to a recognised UNSW student organisation which has demonstrated impactful development and support of the international student experience at UNSW through programs and activities, to a diverse student audience.

ISOC UNSW has shown remarkable dedication to enriching the international student experience at UNSW, bridging over 40 nationalities, with diverse events tailored to resonate with the varied needs of international students to build community. In 2023, Eid Celebrations drew a crowd of over 1000 attendees, and Iftars ran for over 18 nights with average student attendance of over 200 each evening. The Iftar Overseas initiative, impacting over 400 people across six countries, demonstrated global reach and altruism, touching the hearts of both participants and beneficiaries. ISOC also coordinated weekly prayer and study sessions, sports programs including soccer, badminton and 'Learn to Swim' sessions, and collaborations with clubs including the Indonesian Muslim Society, Saudi Student Society and Afghan Society, and Interfaith Discussions with other religious groups on campus.

 

Student contribution to international student experience award - Nehal Nafcy

awarded to an enrolled UNSW student who has improved the campus experience for international students through leadership and innovation.

Nehal is undertaking a Bachelor of Vision Science and Masters of Optometry, and has been president of UNSW Bangladeshi Society for 3 and a half years. In this time, the society’s membership has grown from 30 to over 300, and Nehal’s leadership has forged strong relationships with other cultural societies include UNSW Paksoc, Indsoc, Srisoc, Turksoc, Yala, and UNSWMSA, leading to inter-society events, such as Asia cups for sports, earthquake fundraisers, and cultural events like Eid and iftar collaborations. Nehal has also nurtured connections with Bangladeshi societies from five other universities for joint initiatives.

Nehal has been involved with ARC, ARC Sport, peer mentoring, and UNSW Global, successfully establishing UNSW Bangladeshi Society’s first peer mentoring scheme focusing on international students, and a series of workshops promoting ethnocultural expression and heritage.

 

Chaplaincy Community Contribution Award - Pocut Shaliha Finzia Panglima Polem

presented to an enrolled student and current member of a religious group at UNSW who has made significant contributions to the university and broader community. Nominations for this award were made by the Chaplains of the UNSW Religious Centre.

Pocut is in her second year of a Combined Master of Arts and Social Sciences in Translation and Journalism & Communication in the Faculty of Arts, Design, and Architecture. She has actively participated in a range of events organised by the UNSW Islamic Society including homeless package distributions, halaqah (study circles) sessions, BBQs, Sister's socials, and festivities during Ramadan and Eid celebrations. Pocut has exhibited remarkable leadership and dedication in building unity and togetherness among community members, creating informative videos to showcase and celebrate ISOC’s work within and outside UNSW. She is also president of the Australia Awards Scholars Society, and a Student Experience Ambassador for the Faculty of Arts, Design, and Architecture.

 

Art Collection Writing Prize - Oliver Clarke

offered for a piece of student writing relating to UNSW's Art Collection. Entrants were required to submit of a short, original creative response to one of three specified works of art selected from the UNSW Art Collection.

Oliver Clarke studies a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in English at UNSW. He is the author of 'Flare and Falter: A History of Australian Cinema' and has had articles published with Onya Magazine, The AIM Network and FIB. His poem, Millicent at the Protest, is a response to Deborah Kelly's works Maid of Jutland and Crone of Jutland.

 

Club contribution to student mental health and wellbeing award - UNSW Psychology Society

award is presented to a recognised UNSW student organisation whose activities have created meaningful impact or influenced positive change to the mental health and wellbeing of other UNSW students.

PsychSoc has contributed substantially to student mental health and wellbeing through active participation in Stress Less Weeks, running stalls including collaborative crafting to promote openness and a sense of connection to others, and physical wellness through yoga. PsychSoc also held a multi-stall philanthropic, mental-health-focused event entitled ‘PsychTown’, raising funds for different charities by encouraging students to relax and laugh while simultaneously raising awareness for mental health support and wellness. The Charity Showcase allowed students to perform at the Roundhouse with proceeds going to a mental health charity, and participation the ‘Push-up Challenge’ raised funds for Lifeline.

 

Unsung student hero award - Mya Thit Khet

presented to an enrolled UNSW student who has created meaningful impact or influenced positive change in the campus experience for others, with consistent willingness to go above and beyond to help and support other UNSW students.

Mya Thit Khet is in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine program in the Faculty of Medicine and Health. She is currently the International Student Officer in the SRC, President of the Myanmar Students' Society and the External Vice-President of the Singapore Students' Association.

Mya has organised and hosted sport events, including soccer and volleyball tournaments to cater to multiple cultural societies, bringing together students from different backgrounds, promoting understanding, and forging new friendships. Her ability to integrate sports, culture, and community engagement is a testament to her visionary leadership.

 

Student community impact award - Aaron Saint-James Bugge

for a currently enrolled student at UNSW who has demonstrated positive impact on the broader community at UNSW and in outward-facing community engagement.

Aaron is currently in his second year of Bachelor of Advanced Science in Molecular Biology, is part of the Student Ambassador Program, Project Coordinator for the BABS stall during Diversity Fest, Project Manager for the Diversified Project, and a leader in the Peer Assist Student Support Program. Aaron is a champion of messages of diversity and inclusion, with the Diversified Project being pivotal in gathering data to enhance accessibility for the neurodivergent community at UNSW. As a PVCESE Student Advisor, Aaron has consistently worked to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, feel seen, heard, and valued.

 

Student cultural experience award - Mitanshi Chandolia

for a currently enrolled student at UNSW who has demonstrated leadership in promoting artistic or ethnocultural expression within the greater UNSW community,  and demonstrated innovation in creating cultural experiences for a diverse student community on and off campus.

Mitanshi is the second year of a degree in Medical Science, and is Vice President of the UNSW Indian Society. Mitanshi has been involved with cultural celebrations across the year within and beyond UNSW, including collaborations with the UNSW Hindu Society, Muslim Society, Bangladeshi Society, and Pakistani Society, and was instrumental in the organising Independence Day celebrations on campus.

 

Willgoss instrumental Prize for the UNSW Orchestra - Lara van den Dolder

to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of a student member of the UNSW Orchestra for their demonstration of a high level of commitment, performance and ensemble contribution across the entire academic year.

Lara van den Dolder is undertaking a combined degree in Music and Media (Screen and Sound Production), and has been playing viola in the UNSW Orchestra since 2020.

 

        Willgoss instrumental Prize Highly Commended for the UNSW Orchestra - John-Paul Macks

        to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of a member of the UNSW Orchestra for their demonstration of a high level of commitment, performance and ensemble contribution across the entire academic year.

        John-Paul Macks is a trombonist and an Electrical Engineering and Commerce student in his first year.

         

        Willgoss instrumental Prize for the UNSW Wind Symphony - Harrison Pritchard

        to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of a student member of the UNSW Wind Symphony for their demonstration of a high level of commitment, performance and ensemble contribution across the entire academic year.

        Harrison Pritchard is a bassoon player in both the UNSW Wind Symphony and Orchestra, and is completing his studies in Civil Engineering.

         

        Willgoss instrumental Prize Highly Commended for the UNSW Wind Symphony - Beth Perrin

        to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of a member of the UNSW Wind Symphony for their demonstration of a high level of commitment, performance and ensemble contribution across the entire academic year.

        Beth Perrin is a tuba player in the UNSW Wind Symphony, and is a student in Mechanical Engineering.

         

        Willgoss Choral Prize for the Collegium Musicum Choir - Abigail Connolly

        to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of a student member of the Collegium Musicum Choir for their demonstration of a high level of commitment, performance and ensemble contribution across the entire academic year.

        Abigail Connolly is a soprano in the choir, and in her first year of a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music, Bachelor of Education.

         

        Willgoss Choral Prize Highly Commended for the Collegium Musicum Choir - Natalie Zhong

        to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of a member of the Collegium Musicum Choir for their demonstration of a high level of commitment, performance and ensemble contribution across the entire academic year.

        Natalie Zhong is an alto in the choir, and is studying piano as part of her combined degree in Music and Education.  

         

        Willgoss Choral Prize for Corde - Amy Andresson

        to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of a student member of Corde for their demonstration of a high level of commitment, performance and ensemble contribution across the entire academic year. 

        Amy Andresson is a soprano and is undertaking an undergraduate program in Music, majoring in voice.

         

        Willgoss Choral Prize Highly Commended for Corde - Sascha Graham

        to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of a member of Corde for their demonstration of a high level of commitment, performance and ensemble contribution across the entire academic year. 

        Sascha Graham is a tenor, and is currently completing studies in Bioinformatics and Biomedical Engineering.

         

        Club cultural impact award - UNSW Bangladeshi Society

        awarded to a recognised UNSW student organisation which has demonstrated impactful promotion of artistic or ethnocultural expression within the greater UNSW community to a diverse student audience.

        The UNSW Bangladeshi Society has demonstrated their commitment to cultural impact through a variety of initiatives in 2023, including cultural festivals, dance and music performances, art exhibitions, storytelling sessions, and cultural workshops, promoting engagement among students from different cultural backgrounds.

         

        International student-in-residence impact award - Rafael Mocelin

        presented to an international student currently enrolled at UNSW, and resident a college affiliated with UNSW. The winner has demonstrated a positive contribution to college life and impact on the residential community, and has shown initiative and leadership in promoting student engagement and interaction.

        Rafael Mocelin is a first-year student of Commerce from Brazil, resident in New College. He has contributed to creating community through sport, debating and weekly campus outreach through the UNSW Catholic Society of which he is the Treasurer.

         


         Please contact culture@unsw.edu.au if you have questions or require more information.