2025 Alumni Award winners

The CDU Alumni Awards recognise and celebrate the significant contributions made by CDU alumni in bringing about positive change to their communities and the world. These alumni are game-changers and trailblazers, pioneers in their field and fearless in their endeavours. They are inspirational and their impact is creating a brighter future for all.

Class of 2016 - Bachelor of Teaching and Learning

Yalmay Yunupiŋu

Distinguished Alumni Award

Sponsored by Northern Territory Government

Professor Yalmay Yunupiŋu has touched countless lives across north-east Arnhem Land through her lifelong dedication to education, language and community. Known affectionately as the mother of Yirrkala School, Professor Yunupiŋu has spent more than four decades nurturing bilingual education and preserving Yolŋu language and culture.

	Esther Scarborough Alumni of the Year Award, and Alumni Award for Community Service sponsored by Northern Territory Government, and Darwin Convention Centre Esther is the co-founder of Hohidiai, a nonprofit organisation transforming lives in Tobelo, North Halmahera, Indonesia. After volunteering in Indonesia in 2005, Esther and her husband relocated their family to Halmahera, where they established Hohidiai, “restoration” in the local language, providing holistic medical care and community support for those affected by disease, abandonment and poverty. Read More

Sharni Sloan Alumni Award for Early Career Achievement sponsored by NEC Australia Sharni is an emerging leader in midwifery and perinatal mental health whose compassion and expertise are improving care for women and families across the Northern Territory. Sharni has dedicated her career to delivering evidence-based, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed care for women throughout the childbearing journey. Read More	Dylan Bennett Alumni Award for Industry Excellence sponsored by DCOH Over the past 15 years, Dylan has made significant contributions to industry and community by helping build the foundations of the Northern Territory’s interactive entertainment and digital skills ecosystem. He is the founder of Larrikin Interactive, the Territory’s first award-winning video game studio. Read More

Sherkeira Abala First Nations Alumni Award sponsored by Newmont Australia Sherkeira is a proud Eastern Arrernte and Arabana woman from Alice Springs (Mparntwe), where she continues to live and raise her family. Through her work with Relationships Australia and Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Sherkeira provides trauma-informed support while continuing to advocate for culturally grounded wellbeing initiatives. Read More	Ali Dhirani International Alumni Award sponsored by Allianz Care Australia Ali brings resilience, vision, and community focus to his professional journey. Having survived the war in Congo and migrated to Australia, he founded SAMAF Consultants to support international students, migrants, and refugees in navigating and succeeding in Australia. What began from a small home office has grown into a multi-state organisation with over 30 staff. Read More

Special Commendations



Helen Zahos Alumni Award for Community Service - Special Commendation sponsored by Darwin Convention Centre Helen’s humanitarian service has impacted communities across Australia and the world. Since graduating with a Bachelor of Nursing in 2000, she has dedicated over 25 years to delivering critical healthcare, emergency response and advocacy in some of the most challenging environments. Read More	Sujan Manandhar Alumni Award for Early Career Achievement - Special Commendation sponsored by NEC Australia Sujan is a technology professional and community leader whose early career has made a lasting impact on innovation and inclusion in the Northern Territory. Sujan founded Google Developer Group (GDG) Darwin, a thriving community of more than 250 IT professionals and students. Read More

Mary Linnell Alumni Award for Industry Excellence - Special Commendation sponsored by DCOH Mary Linnell is a proud immigrant, single mother of four Darwin-born children, and CDU graduate whose 23-year career exemplifies resilience, innovation, and leadership in the Northern Territory’s building and construction industry. As founder and Managing Director of Easy Glass Services, Darwin’s leading glazing and aluminium fabrication company, Mary has built a thriving business. Read More	Jorja Costello First Nations Alumni Award - Special Commendation sponsored by Newmont Australia Jorja is a proud First Nations woman and dedicated lawyer whose career reflects both professional excellence and an unwavering commitment to justice, empowerment, and community advocacy. Jorja now works with the Top End Women’s Legal Service, providing vital legal assistance to women facing complex and often deeply personal challenges. Read More

Dr Isabella Garti International Alumni Award - Special Commendation sponsored by Allianz Care Australia Dr Isabella Garti is a midwifery academic and health researcher whose work in maternal health, particularly pre-eclampsia, has contributed to global and Australian healthcare systems. Based at the Molly Wardaguga Research Institute, she focuses on addressing Indigenous health inequities and improving maternal and neonatal outcomes for First Nations people. Read More