Alumni Awards

Happy students at the rowing carnival
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THE BILL COWAN ALUM OF THE YEAR AWARD

RECOGNISES OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS BY A TRINITY RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE ALUM

This award recognises, acknowledges and promotes prominent Residential College alumni who have made an exceptional contribution to Trinity College or have achieved outstanding success in service to the wider community in the previous year.

The award is named in honour of Mr Bill Cowan, who served as Chairman of the Board of Trinity College from 2006–13, was a member of the Finance Committee from 1985, and who continues to contribute his time and energy to countless endeavours in support of students both past and present.

The Alum of the Year award is presented annually and is announced at the Drinks Under the Oak alumni gathering.

The winner of the Bill Cowan Alum of the Year 2024 was Tom Snow (TC 1996).

Nominations

All alumni of Trinity College are eligible to be nominated for an award. (Alumni refers to a male or female member of the College as defined in the College Constitution.) 

Nominations may be submitted by a Trinity alumnus, alumna or a member of the wider community and there is no limit as to the number of nominations that may be put forward. Alumni are permitted to nominate themselves for an award.

Applications will be accepted only when submitted on the prescribed Alum of the Year Nomination Form. There is a separate award for Foundation Studies alumni – the TCFS Alum of the Year award. 

Selection Criteria

Recipients must be alumni of Trinity College and must have made an outstanding contribution to the College and/or the wider community. The award recognises specific achievements during the period 1 January to 31 December of the preceding year. 

Current staff and members of the Trinity Board or Union of the Fleur-de-Lys Committee are not eligible for an award (nominations for past members are permitted).

Award judging process

The winner is determined by a panel including:

  • the Warden of Trinity College
  • the President of the Union of the Fleur-de-Lys
  • the Director of Advancement.

The award takes the form of a medal indicating the name of the award, the name of the recipient and the year in which the award is made. The name of the award winner is listed on an honour board.

Award recipients are announced at the annual Drinks Under the Oak event.

Past winners

THE FOUNDATION STUDIES ALUM OF THE YEAR

RECOGNISES OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS BY A FOUNDATION STUDIES ALUM

The recipient of the award must be alumnus or alumna of the Trinity College Foundation Studies program who has made an outstanding contribution to the College or achieved outstanding success in service to the wider community during the preceding calendar year.  The award will be open to any global alumni.

Current staff and members of the Trinity Board, Council or TFAN Committee will not be eligible for the award.

The Foundation Studies Alum of the Year 2023 will be awarded for achievements from 1 January to 31 December 2022.

The winner of the 2023 award is Charmaine Yee (TCFS 2004).

Nominations

All alumni of Trinity College are eligible to be nominated for an award. (Alumni refers to a male or female member of the College as defined in the College Constitution.) 

Nominations may be submitted by a Trinity alumnus, alumna or a member of the wider community and there is no limit as to the number of nominations that may be put forward. Alumni are permitted to nominate themselves for an award.

Nominations for the award are open.

Selection Criteria

Recipients must be alumni of Trinity College and must have made an outstanding contribution to the College and/or the wider community. The award recognises specific achievements during the period 1 January to 31 December of the preceding year.

Current staff and members of the Trinity Board or TFAN are not eligible for an award (nominations for past members are permitted).

Award judging process

The winner is determined by a panel including:

  • the Warden of Trinity College
  • the Chair of TFAN
  • the Director of Advancement.

The award takes the form of a medal indicating the name of the award, the name of the recipient and the year in which the award is made. The name of the award winner is listed on an honour board.

Past winners

THE OAKLEAF AWARDS

RECOGNISE LIVING ALUMNI AND SUPPORTERS WHO HAVE MADE A NOTABLE CONTRIBUTION TO TRINITY, THE BROADER COMMUNITY, OR BOTH, WITHIN AUSTRALIA OR GLOBALLY

The Oakleaf Awards were held in 2022 to commemorate Trinity's 150th anniversary.

Selection Criteria

Oakleaf Awardees all demonstrate a high level of achievement in, amongst other areas, the arts, Anglican Church, sport, science, business, or professions that deliver a social good. All are contributing to the community over and above what might be reasonably expected through paid employment or by making an outstanding voluntary contribution.

Award judging process

A committee of 13 members, from across all three College divisions, was tasked with selecting the 150 living alumni and College supporters for an Oakleaf Award.

Oakleaf Awardees

View the Oakleaf Awardees.