Historian, trailblazer, community advocate and more recognised at Alumni Awards

A prominent local historian and museum curator is among those recognised for their contributions to the community at Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) 2024 Alumni Awards.

The awards showcase the best and brightest of CDU graduates who have become trailblazers and leaders throughout their careers.

The Alumni Award for Industry Excellence was awarded to Jared Archibald OAM, the Curator of Territory History at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT).

Mr Archibald graduated from an Associate Diploma of Environmental Biology at the then Northern Territory University in 1990. Mr Archibald spent 16 years as the taxidermist at MAGNT, where his father Ian famously prepared one of Australia’s most fearsome crocodiles, ‘Sweetheart’. 

Mr Archibald continues to preserve and celebrate local history in his role as Curator of Territory History, and through his extensive involvement in the community. 

Special Commendation went to public financial management specialist Julie Cooper, who obtained a Bachelor of Business from the former Northern Territory University. 

The First Nations Alumni Award went to Teegan Wattam, a proud Larrakia and Wadjigan woman who made history this year as the first First Nations student to graduate with a Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Speech and Language Therapy at CDU. 

Special Commendation was given to Bachelor of Nursing graduate and proud Gamatj man Stuart Yiwarr McGrath.

Geoffrey Radford was recognised with the Alumni Award for Early Career Achievement. Mr Radford, who is the Chief Executive of the NT Mental Health Coalition, obtained multiple qualifications from CDU, and has collaborated with organisations including CDU to improve mental health and wellbeing services in the Territory. 

Special Commendation for this award went to lawyer, advocate, and published author Zarah Ramoso. 

CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman congratulated the winners and nominees on their outstanding achievements.

“We are very proud of our graduates and the significant accomplishments they are making in the Territory, across Australia and around the world,” Professor Bowman said. 

“All of us at Charles Darwin University are committed to supporting our students to become the next generation of great thinkers, innovators and creators, and it’s on nights such as the Alumni Awards where we can celebrate their growth.”

The Alumni Award for Community Service went to Ramnik Singh Walia, who graduated with a Certificate III in Individual Support in 2020. Mr Walia is a senior rights advocate who works to support and educate the NT’s elderly on their consumer rights. 

Special Commendation went to Nilesh Dilushan for his work as an advocate addressing youth employment pathways and skill and leadership development. 

Cristina Rebelo Dos Santos Costa received the International Alumni Award and the Distinguished Alumni Award. Ms Costa graduated from CDU with a Master of Business Administration in 2014, and for years has provided education opportunities for people in Timor-Leste. 

Ms Costa and her husband founded St Anthony’s International School, the first independent international school in Timor-Leste and the first foreign school to become a member of the Association of Independent Schools of the Northern Territory. 

Bachelor of Nursing graduate Francisca Tenorio received the Special Commendation for her commitment to advancing the healthcare sector. 

CDU Alumni Manager David MacBain said it was an exceptional night to honour the University’s finest graduates.

“The Alumni Awards exist to showcase the best of our graduates, their contributions to the community and the impact these contributions have,” Mr MacBain said.

“This year’s winners and all those who were nominated are creating significant change within their fields and communities, and it’s an honour to celebrate them.”