Nominate alumni for awards

Nominations for the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards have now closed.

If you have any questions about the process, please contact alumni@latrobe.edu.au.

Distinguished Alumni Award

Recognises La Trobe University alumni who have demonstrated significant accomplishments in their personal and professional life, or for service to their community, state or nation.

Nominees must be alumni of La Trobe University (or an antecedent institution) who have, over an extensive and sustained period of time, demonstrated professional or personal success in all four of the following areas:

1.Outstanding professional achievements

• Recognised as an outstanding leader/expert in their field.
• Significant achievement(s) throughout their career.
• Evidence of sustainable or innovative approaches.

2. Significant community service achievements

• Significant volunteering or support of the local community.
• Dedication of significant personal/professional time for charitable/community support activities.

3. Inspirational leadership

• Regarded as an industry or sector leader
• Mentoring employees/younger people inside or outside their organisation.
• Advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion within their organisations and across their field.
• Encouraging corporate philanthropy and community support.

4. Outstanding personal qualities

• Engaging in, or enabling personal philanthropy.
• Providing inspiration and leadership to others.
• Success in the face of adversity.

Young Achiever Award

The Young Achiever Award recognises outstanding alumni aged 35 years or younger. It is awarded to those who have achieved significant career success within a relatively short period of time.

Eligibility and selection criteria

Nominees must be alumni of La Trobe University (or an antecedent institution) who have demonstrated professional or personal success in all four of the following areas:

1. Outstanding professional achievements

• Recognised as a leader/expert in their field.
• Significant achievement(s) throughout their career.
• Evidence of sustainable or innovative approaches.

2. Significant community service achievements

• Significant volunteering or support of the local community.
• Dedication of significant personal/professional time for charitable/community support activities.

3. Inspirational leadership within their fields of expertise

• Regarded as an industry or sector leader
• Mentoring employees/younger people inside or outside their organisation.
• Advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion within their organisations and across their field.
• Encouraging corporate philanthropy and community support.

4. Outstanding personal qualities

• Engaging in, or enabling personal philanthropy.
• Providing inspiration and leadership to others
• Success in the face of adversity.

La Trobe University has established a Selection Committee which will consider all nominations received by the advertised closing date. Please note that under no circumstances will late applications be accepted.

The Selection Committee is Chaired by either the Chancellor, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research and Industry Engagement) or the Provost, assisted by a senior La Trobe staff.

The Selection Committee will rank all nominations against the criteria and make a recommendation to the La Trobe University Council for endorsement.

In exceptional circumstances, when the traditional Distinguished Alumni Award and Young Alumni Award are not suitable, nominations will be considered for a Chancellor's Award. Nominations will be reviewed by the Selection Committee as part of the usual Awards process, using the existing criteria.

Once approved by Council, the successful candidates and their nominators will be informed.

Anyone can make a nomination. We encourage nominations for a diversity of alumni, no matter where in the world they are based.

The information submitted will be used by La Trobe University in connection with the administration of the award only. All information will remain confidential.

For any questions regarding the process or the awards themselves, please contact us.