UNE Alumni

The past has something to teach the future.

For decades, Grace Proctor - long-serving librarian of the Royal Society of NSW - cared for one of Australia's most significant collections of scientific literature.

Before her death, Grace made arrangements - including leaving one-quarter of her estate to UNE - to help secure the future of these rare scientific works, journals and manuscripts.

Now, through UNE's Recollect system, we are bringing these collections into the digital age, making them discoverable and accessible for generations to come.

The full story, via the link in comments.

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Every gift helps create opportunities for UNE students, researchers and communities. Support the area that matters to you most with a tax-deductible gift by 30 June - link in comments.

Know a UNE graduate like Andrea who is quietly changing the world or leading in their field?

Andrea is a UNE Rising Star Award winner of 2025, in recognition of her exceptional leadership in inclusive early childhood education, championing culturally and linguistically diverse children and families while mentoring educators.

Who in our community inspires you?
Nominate them now for the ⭐️2026 UNE Alumni Awards⭐️

More information can be found, via the link in comments 👇

Walking the Talk Together to Build a Better Future

This Friday, UNE hosts the Myall Creek Symposium at the Oorala Aboriginal Centre, as part of the memorial weekend commemorating the 28 Wirrayaraay people killed in the 1838 Myall Creek Massacre.

The massacre is a pivotal moment in NSW criminal legal history, marking the first time massacre perpetrators were tried, convicted and executed in the colonial courts, with detailed records showing the brutality of frontier conflict in our region.

This year’s Symposium focuses on moving from talk to real action, harnessing the energies of First Nations peoples and non Indigenous allies.

✨ Program highlights
• Keynote by Dr Tony McAvoy SC, Wirdi man and Australia’s first Indigenous Senior Counsel
• Health, data sovereignty and legal system sessions featuring Prof Emerita Judy Atkinson AM, A/Prof Lorina Barker, Fiona Lovelock, Karen Conte and others
• Performance by Mad Proppa Deadly at lunch

🗓 Friday 5 June 2026
📍 Oorala Aboriginal Centre, UNE
💸 Free, please register for catering
🔗 Register + Zoom link in comments below.
🌐 More about the Memorial: myallcreek.org

Proudly supported by Friends of Myall Creek Armidale, UNE School of Law, Oorala Aboriginal Centre, UNE HASSE and UNE Medicine & Health.

All staff, students and community members are invited to stand with us in remembrance, truth telling and action ahead of Sunday’s gathering at the Myall Creek Memorial near Bingara.

Featuring our very own UNE alumni Mandy Bishop and Rhonda Burchmore! 😍🎬

We are so thrilled that Nancye Hayes and Rhonda Burchmore came to see us last night!

Nancye was in the original Australian production, playing M’Lynn alongside Nicole Kidman!

We are in our final weeks, Sydney! Get your tickets!

From triple zero to the rule of law, Travis Wishart has seen people at their most vulnerable and now wants to help shape the systems that are meant to protect them. After eight years on the road as a NSW Ambulance paramedic, a life-threatening cancer diagnosis and completing three degrees, the 33 year old has just stepped into his first legal role with the NSW Government. 🎓🚑⚖️

In our latest alumni story, Travis reflects on frontline work during bushfires, COVID and major incidents, his Honours thesis on the Robodebt scheme, and how studying law at UNE helped him turn lived crisis into a career in public-interest law.

Read the full article in the comments below. 🔗

Life got in the way of Crystal Primmer achieving her childhood dream. But the mother-of-five has now achieved it, two decades later, thanks to UNE. Congratulations Crystal!

⭐️ Her full story in the links below.

A huge congratulations to our newest University of New England, AU Graduates! 🎓

After an incredible week of ceremonies, we are delighted to officially welcome you to the community. We can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next. 🌟