2022 Award Winners
VIEW GALLERY HERE
Adam Skawinski
The Southport School
Excellence In Enhancing Our Communities
Adam has devoted countless hours preparing food for Gold Coast charities to help the homeless and those struggling financially. With the Multicultural Youth Advisory Committee and the Bonney Youth Advisory Committee Adam has aided their community events while promoting youth and multicultural issues. Recently Adam raised money and cleaned up damaged properties while providing necessities for affected families from the Lismore floods.
Majed Abuseif
Griffith University
Excellence In Protecting our Environment
Majed’s Smart Planter Box is a new form of green technology enabling plants to grow in extreme environments to generate energy, harvest, recycle and store water. The system can mimic any environment and can be connected to smart city models to help manage urban heat islands. His invention has been shortlisted as one of the top 10 innovative designs worldwide for city resilience.
ALANA BONENFANT
Bond University
Excellence In Championing Diversity
Alana is passionate about equity and inclusion, believing it is the responsibility of those in positions of leadership to push for change. As the President of the Australian Law Students Association Alana oversaw new advocacy roles for equity and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, and accessibility for students with disabilities to ensure the next generation of lawyers become thought leaders for their profession
SARAH MCDONALD
Griffith University
Excellence In Peer To Peer Support
Sarah has facilitated health and wellbeing activations like #RUOK Day, International Happiness Day and World Mental Health Day. She worked with Griffith staff to develop and facilitate Reach, a program that builds greater self-awareness and the skills to thrive in all aspects of student life. Sarah also runs school workshops, providing a safe space to talk about purpose, emotional intelligence, and wellbeing.
KATURA HALLEDAY
All Saints Anglican School
Excellence In Fostering Creative Arts
As a Junior Director of the d'Arcy Doyle Art Awards Katura has grown the youth category from 60 participants to over 300. Katura also founded the 8x8 Art Awards, providing a platform for over 800 artists to exhibit and sell their work. An awarded artist and published illustrator, Katura donates her profits to the education of girls in Africa.
JACKSON MILLER
Bond University
Excellence In Promoting Sport and Wellness
Jackson created 'vybu', a platform facilitating connection and mental health support. His other achievements include establishing Bond University’s first women’s soccer team and a community running club supporting more than 100 individuals. He has run ultra-marathons fundraising for charities, along with co-ordinating crisis relief efforts during the recent floods and COVID. Jackson was recently recognised as a Gold Coast Young Community Achiever.
Award Categories
Nominations are assessed by a panel comprised of two Study Gold Coast staff members and a representative from the Student Advisory Board.
Award winners in each category will receive $1,000, along with a personalised trophy and a certificate of appreciation. Award winners will automatically become part of the Gold Coast Student Alumni Network.
Congratulations to all the finalists of the 2022 Gold Coast Student Excellence Awards.