The 2024 UNE Life Student Awards Night
The 2024 UNE Life Student Awards Night was a standout event in the student calendar, celebrating the efforts, dedication, and successes of student Clubs & Societies, TuneFM and individuals from throughout UNE. Held on Friday, September 13th, at The Bistro, this theme night honoured the UNE Law Students’ Society, last year’s Club of the Year winners, and introduced several new awards and traditions to recognise the exceptional efforts of UNE’s vibrant student community.
New Traditions and Award Categories
This year’s event introduced three new categories: Vice President of the Year, NEA Distinguished Commitment Award, and UNE Life Trivia Competition Winner. Another exciting addition was the ceremonial exchange of “the brick,” a new, albeit silly, tradition between UNE Life & Mary White College, with the outcome being based on the college’s achievements at the Student Awards Night.
A highlight of the night was the UNE Data Science & Statistics Club, a new club, sweeping all categories they were shortlisted for, including New Club of the Year and Online Activation of the Year.
Performances by Talented Students
The evening wasn’t just about awards, with a number of talented students taking the stage. Notable performances included:
- The Austin Page Musical Society treated the audience to a standout number from Mamma Mia: The Musical.
- Tian Yi Wong See from Mary White delivered a memorable performance of Glory Hammer, which was so good it even got a shoutout from VC Chris Moran in his address.
- A relaxed performance from Grace Bowman, Jesse Streeting, & Kael Streeting, added a special musical touch to the evening.
UNE Farming Futures: Club of the Year
UNE Farming Futures took home the night’s biggest award, Club of the Year for 2024, recognised for their imp
ressive contributions to student and professional development. Their initiatives include the annual Careers Expo, Industry Dinner Night, and Schools Program. Despite challenges, Farming Futures set the stage for future success with new processes, such as adopting Xero, applying for an ABN, and launching a new website. UNE Farming Futures has a reputation for producing work-ready graduates, with most club members securing interviews or employment after participating in their events.
Online Engagement
The event was live-streamed to over 300 viewers, ensuring that UNE’s online students could join the celebration. In addition, the ceremony was screened on the UNE Life Virtual Campus, making it accessible to a wider audience across the student community.
“As always, the Student Awards Night is a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on students doing fantastic things within our community. Many of our volunteers serve without seeking any recognition or compensation and so I believe the Student Awards Night is the perfect occasion to celebrate both our more boisterous clubs and our quiet achievers.” – Nick Troon, Student Programs Coordinator.
Award Winners:
- UNE Life Directors Club of the Year Award: Farming Futures
- Clubs Hall of Fame Award: Kathleen Murphy (UNE Zoology Society)
- New Club of the Year: UNE Data Science & Statistics Club
- JCR of the Year: Austin Page (JCR)
- President of the Year: Christopher Choy (UNE Surgical Society)
- Vice President of the Year: Miranda McGufficke (Farming Futures)
- Secretary of the Year: Isobel Thirkell-Johnston (Farming Futures)
- Treasurer of the Year: Rose McNair (Farming Futures)
- Club Member of the Year: Amanda Sanders (Austin Page Musical Society)
- Social Event of the Year: Mamma Mia (Austin Page Musical Society)
- Academic Event of the Year: Clinical Skills Night / Zoology in the Murray Darling Basin (NERCHA / UNE Zoology Society)
- Cultural Event of the Year: Bhutanese Students’ Association 2024 Program of Events
- Community Outreach Program Award: Armidale Secondary School Rural High School Visit (NERCHA)
- Online Activation of the Year: Data Nights (UNE Data Science & Statistics Club)
- Merchandise Award: UNE Zoology Society
- Marketing Campaign of the Year: UNE Zoology Society
- Club Sponsor of the Year: United Services Union (UNE Law Students’ Society)
- TuneFM Academic of the Year: Prof Karl Vernes
- TuneFM Program of the Year: PaedSoc on a Pod
- TuneFM Volunteer of the Year: Tashi Dema
- SFK Overall Winner: Austin Page
- SFK Public Speaking Winner: Austin Page
- SFK Debating Winner: Duval
- SFK Small Music Winner: Austin Page
- SFK Arts & Crafts Winner: Austin Page
- SFK Theatre Sports Winner: Austin Page
- SFK Mass Participation Winner: Austin Page
- SFK Most Supportive College: Austin Page
- NEA Distinguished Commitment Award: Jarrah Ransome
- UNE Life Trivia Competition Winner: Environmental & Rural Science
The UNE Life Student Awards evening is a crucial opportunity to recognise the immense impact students have on our university community. Their dedication, passion, and commitment are truly inspiring, and they make a lasting difference in the lives of their peers, enhancing the university as a whole.
As UNE Farming Futures takes the lead as Club of the Year, the stage is set for an exciting 2025 Student Awards Night.
