One of the great strengths of the UWA community is the many ways its members contribute to the lives of others. This edition of Convocation Connecting highlights people and initiatives making a difference through giving, whether it be with a tin of soup or funding that endows a professorial chair.
We’re delighted to again support the Guild Food Pantry Drive, which gives us all the opportunity to assist students in need. On the events front, our upcoming Spring General Meeting features some of our path-breaking endowed chairs discussing their research journey toward a healthier, more sustainable future.
We also feature a student’s Conservation Council internship, initiatives strengthening rural connections and student accommodation, along with research that refutes the narrative of mid-life decline in mental performance. Beyond campus, we highlight UWA’s strong global standing, developments in university governance, and recent changes to Commonwealth-supported places and medical student enrolments. I hope you enjoy reading about the people, achievements and initiatives that reflect the enduring spirit of connection and contribution that defines our community. Sincerely,
Emeritus Professor Jenny Gregory AM
Warden of Convocation
Convocation • M362, Perth WA 6009 Australia
E Warden@convocation.uwa.edu.au |
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Support the Guild Food Pantry |
Once again, the Alumni Council is working with the Guild, so that Convocation members can assist in supporting the Guild’s Food Pantry as they did so generously last year.
You can help make a real difference to our students by donating unopened, non-perishable items until Friday, 2 October at any Guild Café or the Guild Student Centre (GSC) in Guild Village.
There is a collection point in the Reid Library at the Quobba Gnarning Café on the Ground Floor. Open Mon-Thu 7.30am-8pm, Fri 7.30am-6pm, Sat-Sun 9am-2.30pm. |
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| UWA Alumni Association Spring General Meeting |
The 2026 Spring General Meeting will be held on Thursday, 10 September at 6.30pm in the University Club Banquet Hall.
It includes a panel on ‘Advancing Academic Leadership: How visionary research leaders are shaping a healthier and more sustainable future’, bringing together three of UWA’s distinguished Endowed Chairs for an engaging conversation about the ideas, people and partnerships driving research with real-world impact. |
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A gravitational wave physicist, former State Treasurer, leading diabetes researcher and glaucoma specialist are among 33 alumni, staff and former staff from UWA recognised in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours list. |
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| Western Australian of the Year Awards |
Dr Jim Giumelli (BE '69, DEng '17), UWA Engineering graduate and Honorary Doctorate recipient, was honoured as Western Australian of the Year.
Dr Daniel Hunt (MBBS '11, DMD '16), a Jaru and Indjibarndi man, General Practitioner, and nationally recognised leader in Aboriginal health, was named 2026 Woodside Energy Professions Award Winner. For his insights on 50 years of NAIDOC, click here.
Jack Anderson (BPhil Hons '23), innovative education leader, and co-founder of Elucidate Education, was awarded the BHP Youth Award.
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Gender Equity: Athena Swan Cygnet Awards |
UWA has strengthened its commitment to gender equity through its second and third Athena Swan Cygnet Awards. The May award recognised significant improvements in women’s visibility, with the June award highlighting progress in gender balance on decision-making bodies, increased ARC grant success for women, and family-friendly workplace initiatives. |
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| From passion to purpose: Levi's work integrated learning (WIL) internship journey |
When Levi MacDonald began his work integrated learning (WIL) internship with the Conservation Council of Western Australia (CCWA) in Semester 1, 2026, he was looking for guidance on where his career might lead. |
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Strengthening UWA’s ties in the Mid-West |
Senior leaders from UWA, including Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Colmer and members of the School of Health and Clinical Sciences, visited the WA Centre for Rural Health in Geraldton. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen ties with the region, discuss the region’s future needs and meet with a wide range of relevant groups. |
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Launched in January 2026, UWA Student Living marks a major step forward in how The University of Western Australia supports students in finding a place to call home. Aligned with the University’s Live at UWA strategy, the new service delivers a more connected, student-focused approach to accommodation support. |
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General mental performance reaches its zenith between the ages of 55 and 60, according to research published in the journal Intelligence in late 2025. Led by UWA’s Professor Gilles Gignac, the study refutes the narrative of inevitable mid-life decline. While raw processing speed may slow, critical decision-making, emotional regulation, and moral reasoning continue to sharpen well into a person’s 70s. It is not surprising that this has received widespread coverage in the national and international media!
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UWA 77th in Global Ranking |
UWA maintained 77th place in the latest QS World University Rankings, holding its position among the world's top 1,504 universities.
The QS rankings assess universities across a range of measures including academic reputation (30 per cent), research impact (20 per cent), employer reputation (15 per cent), international collaboration and graduate outcomes. |
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Stronger standards for university governance |
The Federal Government is strengthening the standards universities must meet to improve governance and transparency and action against racism.
All public universities are now required to publish the outcomes of governing body meetings and decisions, consultancy spending and its purpose, external roles held by vice-chancellors and senior executives, and annual remuneration reports. |
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Additional help for Prac students |
Federal Government expands Commonwealth Prac Payments.
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The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Perth WA 6009, Australia
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