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ACU recognises alumni making an impact

After a three-year hiatus, ACU has relaunched the annual Alumni Awards to celebrate the achievements of six exceptional ACU alumni across diverse fields. 

Key points:

• The ACU Alumni Awards recognise excellence across mission, global connections, early career achievements, innovation and industry, and contribution to First Nations communities.
• This year’s recipients have contributed to human flourishing across education, health advocacy, sport, international affairs, technology, business and community leadership.

From transforming lives through education and health advocacy, to making their mark in the sporting world, international affairs and business, Australian Catholic University’s Alumni Awards recognise graduates whose achievements are making a difference to their professions, communities and the wider world.

After a three-year hiatus, ACU has relaunched the annual Alumni Awards to celebrate the achievements of exceptional ACU alumni across diverse fields. The six recipients have each made a profound impact, and reflect ACU’s commitment to service, leadership and human flourishing.

Sarah McGoram OAM (pictured left) won the Mission Alumni Award for her advocacy for healthcare equity.

Diagnosed with gastrointestinal stromal tumours during her first semester at university and given months to live, she has defied the odds to raise a family, sustain a 20-year teaching career, and advocate for others living with a rare cancer.

“Fortunately, I’ve been able to ride a wave of research that has evolved just in time. My work as a patient advocate with Rare Cancers Australia helps ensure that there is equity across our healthcare system.”

Proud Ngemba woman Sharon Cooke (pictured right) received the Indigenous Alumni Award for her work as an educator, helping transform the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in regional Australia.

“I want to be the leader that inspires people to do better for our children. They can't be what they can't see,” Sharon said.

“I am so honoured to accept this award on behalf of everyone who's working in this space and doing great work.”

Pjay Shrestha (pictured right) was the recipient of the Global Connection Alumni Award. As an entrepreneur and CEO, his professional journey spans marketing, business consulting and youth engagement. He is also a leader of the Nepali community in Australia and helped coordinate relief efforts on the ground in Nepal after the devastating floods earlier this year.

“This award is recognition of all the hard work and the people that have supported me on my journey,” Pjay said.

“When I arrived at university, I was very lost. But my time at ACU helped me discover where my strengths and passion lie.”

Grace Corcoran (pictured right) won the Early Career Achievement Alumni Award. Grace studied a Bachelor of Applied Public Health and Bachelor of Global Studies at ACU, graduating in 2020. In 2017, she became the first ACU student selected for the Australian Government's New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship. She is now making her mark as an international relations policy specialist.

“ACU absolutely changed my life because I was exposed to so many different international opportunities. I went to Rome to do one of the core subjects, and I did a semester abroad in Canada as part of my global studies degree.

“It opened my eyes to so many different perspectives, connected me with so many incredible people and really set me up for my career in international relations.”

Nicholas Toscan (pictured right) is the recipient of the ACU Alumni Champion Award. An Exercise and Sports Science graduate, Nicholas went on to co-found the Australian International Sports Organisation (AUSISO) and is passionate about using sport to promote inclusion and community participation.

Dr Tomasz Bednarz won the Innovation and Industry Excellence Alumni Award. Dr Bednarz is Director of Lilly AI Lab at NVIDIA, where he leads teams tackling some of the world’s most complex scientific challenges, harnessing the power of technology to change the world for the better.

ACU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Zlatko Skrbis congratulated the recipients for their individual achievements and contribution they have made to society.

“Our alumni show us what is possible when talent and determination are combined with a commitment to making a difference,” Professor Skrbis said.

“These awards celebrate the ways our graduates are using their knowledge and skills to address significant global challenges and improve the lives of people around the world.

“We are immensely proud to see our alumni contributing to a flourishing society – there are no better ambassadors for the value of an ACU education.”

ACU Advancement Director Mr Janosh Biczok said this year’s award recipients represented the best of ACU’s alumni community, which has grown to more than 155,000 graduates worldwide.

“Each of our remarkable award recipients has found a way to make their mark after graduation, changing lives and inspiring others to follow,” Mr Biczok said.

“The Alumni Awards offer us a moment to recognise exceptional members of our alumni community and to celebrate what they represent: the extraordinary breadth of contribution across our entire alumni community, and the many ways ACU graduates continue to pursue knowledge and contribute to the common good.”

2026 ACU Alumni Award recipients

ACU Mission Alumni Award

Sarah McGoram OAM

Indigenous Alumni Award

Sharon Cooke

Global Connection Alumni Award

Pjay Shrestha

Early Career Achievement Alumni Award

Grace Corcoran

Innovation and Industry Excellence Alumni Award

Dr Tomasz Bednarz

2026 ACU Alumni Champion Award

Nicholas Toscan