RUSU Student Life Awards

Welcome to the RUSU Student Life Awards 2026

The RUSU Student Life Awards recognise students who make outstanding contributions to student life at RMIT. These awards celebrate those who go above and beyond to build community, support their peers, and create positive experiences on campus.

Following the successful return of the awards in 2025, the 2026 Student Life Awards continue to recognise the diverse ways students demonstrate leadership, initiative, and impact. From fostering connection and belonging to supporting wellbeing and creativity, these students play a vital role in shaping a thriving RMIT community.

Club of the Year

Club of the Year recognises a student club that has demonstrated outstanding and sustained contribution to campus life at RMIT. This may include delivering engaging and well-attended events, fostering an inclusive and active membership, and creating meaningful opportunities for student connection throughout the year. The award celebrates clubs that demonstrate strong leadership, collaboration, and a lasting positive impact on the student community.

Nominations open soon

Best New Club

Best New Club recognises a recently established student club (within the past 12–18 months) that is already demonstrating strong impact at RMIT. This may include growing membership, delivering engaging and inclusive events, and responding to emerging student interests. The award recognises clubs showing strong leadership, innovation, and positive contribution to student life.

Nominations open soon

Best Club Event or Activity

Best Club Activity or Program recognises a student club that has delivered an outstanding event or initiative at RMIT. This may include social, cultural, educational, or creative activities that demonstrate strong planning, high participation or engagement, and a clear positive impact on students. The award celebrates initiatives that are inclusive, well-executed, and successful in bringing students together in meaningful ways.

Nominations open soon

Best Club Community Contribution

Best Club Community Contribution recognises a student club that has actively used its time, skills, and resources to support and benefit a wider community, an organisation, charitable group, or welfare initiative. This may include activities such as organising a blood drive, coaching or mentoring within a sporting community, running fundraising campaigns, or volunteering expertise to support external causes. The award celebrates clubs that extend their impact beyond campus, demonstrating generosity, social responsibility, and a commitment to strengthening communities through collective action.

Nominations open soon

Student Life Champion

The Student Life Award recognises a student who has made a sustained and outstanding contribution to student life at RMIT. Through involvement in clubs, volunteering, leadership, events, advocacy, or peer support, they consistently contribute to the student community and help create inclusive, welcoming, and engaging experiences for others.

Nominations open soon

Volunteer of the Year

Volunteer of the Year recognises a student who has made an outstanding contribution to the RMIT community through dedicated volunteer service with RMIT and/or RUSU. This may include consistent participation, reliability across shifts or programs, supporting events or services, and contributing positively to the student experience. The award celebrates students who demonstrate commitment, teamwork, and a positive attitude in helping deliver a welcoming and well-supported campus community.

Nominations open soon

Inclusion Award

The Inclusion Award recognises a student who has made an outstanding contribution to diversity, inclusion, accessibility, or representation at RMIT or beyond. Through advocacy, leadership, or community initiatives, they help improve access, participation, and representation for diverse student groups. The award celebrates students who actively work to ensure all students feel welcomed, supported, and able to fully engage in university life.

Nominations open soon

Wellbeing Award

The Wellbeing Award recognises a student who has made an outstanding contribution to student welfare, mental health, safety, or peer support at RMIT or beyond. Through mentoring, volunteering, advocacy, or peer support roles, they provide care and assistance that supports the wellbeing of others. The award celebrates students who demonstrate empathy, integrity, and commitment in helping create a safe and supportive campus community.

Nominations open soon

International Student Award

The International Student Award recognises an international student who has made an outstanding contribution to the international student experience at RMIT. Through leadership, engagement, or community initiatives, they support fellow international students to connect, navigate university life, and access opportunities and support. The award celebrates students who help strengthen peer connection and support within the international student community.

Nominations open soon

Indigenous Student Award

The Indigenous Student Award recognises an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student who demonstrates strong leadership, cultural pride, and commitment to community at RMIT. Through advocacy, mentorship, or cultural engagement, they support cultural safety, build connection, and strengthen belonging for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Nominations open soon

Creative Impact Award

Creative Impact Award recognises a student who has made an outstanding creative contribution to student life at RMIT through art, design, fashion, media, performance, or cultural practice. Their work engages students, celebrates diverse voices, and contributes to a vibrant campus culture. Through creativity and expression, they create shared experiences that connect and inspire the student community.

Nominations open soon

2025 RUSU Student Life Award Winners

We’d like to thank all of the incredible nominees for this year’s Student Life Awards – your contributions and achievements have made a lasting impact on the RMIT student community. Congratulations to our winners, whose dedication and talent were recognised and celebrated on Wednesday, 13 August 2025. We’re proud to honour the many ways students make campus life vibrant and inspiring.

Club of the Year

Supports club leaders who have demonstrated exceptional organisational skill and innovation in building a community.

2025 Winner: RMIT Law Student Society
2025 Distinction: RMIT Afghan Student Association

Best Club Activity

Supports clubs who take initiative to design and deliver outstanding student events that build connection, culture, and inclusion.

2025 Winner: RMIT Malayalis Club
2025 Distinction: RMIT Association of Chemical Engineering Students

Best New Club

Assists student in establishing new clubs that meet emerging needs and spark engagement on campus.

2025 Winner: RMIT Matcha Club
2025 Distinction: RMIT Bangladeshi Association

Volunteer of the Year

Acknowledges students who have given significant time to volunteer work, contributing to the RMIT Community.

2025 Winner: Dona Grace Joseph
2025 Distinction: Naomi Ann Abraham

Student Life Champion

Supports students with a long-term, consistent track record of contribution across multiple areas of student life.

2025 Winner: Tehmina Yaqoob
2025 Distinction: Zahid Zakir Bharti

Community Wellbeing Champion

Recognising someone who has made a significant contribution to community wellbeing.

2025 Winner: Chris Nguyen
2025 Distinction: Rabia Khan

Inclusion & Diversity Champion

Recognising a student who has actively championed inclusion, equity, and diversity at RMIT or in the broader community through meaningful actions that foster belonging and challenge discrimination.

2025 Winner: Mirza Bushra Yamin
2025 Distinction: Elvin Rozario

Creative Contributor Award

Supports students using creativity and artistic expression to enrich student culture and bring people together.

2025 Winner:Sabrina Gabrielle Fernandez

Indigenous Student Community Champion

Honouring an Indigenous student who demonstrates outstanding leadership, cultural pride and commitment to strengthening mob wellbeing.

2025 Winner: Anastazia Lewis-Mitchell
2025 Distinction: Lachlan Wills

Active International Student Leader

Recognising an international student leader who actively supports and connects fellow students, enriches campus life, and exemplifies the spirit of RMIT.

2025 Winner: Aahnaf Mohammad Azfar
2025 Distinction: Thi Tuoi Nguyen

Food Security Champion

Recognising a student who has made a significant contribution to addressing food security at RMIT or in the community, through 'hands on involvement in the delivery of food security programs.

2025 Winner: Kirti Sharma