2022 Arts Alumni Award winners announced

Recipients of the 2022 Arts Alumni Awards pose with their awards after the ceremony with Dean of the Faculty of Arts The Revd Professor Russell Goulbourne.
L-R: Ms Sarah Rey, The Hon Susan Crennan AC KC, Dean of the Faculty of Arts The Revd Professor Russell Goulbourne, Mr Frank Merlino, Ms Thenu Herath, Mr Abe Watson. Photo by D. Hannah.

The Faculty of Arts is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2022 Arts Alumni Awards, who were presented with their awards by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts the Reverend Professor Russell Goulbourne at a ceremony at State Library Victoria on 12 October.

Presented annually, these awards recognise the valuable contributions alumni have made all over the world across a range of fields, including the not-for-profit sector, government, education, business, arts and media.

Principal of the Victorian School of Languages Mr Frank Merlino was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to education, local government and Victoria’s multicultural community.

The Contribution to Faculty and University Award was presented to former Justice of the High Court of Australia the Hon. Susan Crennan AC KC.

Mrs Crennan is widely acknowledged as a leader and mentor within the legal profession in Australia, and has contributed significantly to the University in her roles as University of Melbourne Deputy Chancellor and Melbourne Humanities Foundation member.

In absentia, Mr Matt Goldberg was celebrated for his work in supporting, advising and helping to lead numerous community and not-for-profit organisations with the Leadership Award.

Ms Sarah Rey, award-winning lawyer, partner of law firm Justitia and advocate for equality in the workplace, also received the Leadership Award.

Finally, three exceptional recent graduates were presented with the Rising Star Award for Young Alumni:

  • Ms Thenu Herath, CEO of Oaktree, a not-for-profit that supports young people in the Asia-Pacific region to lead sustainable development initiatives.
  • Associate General Counsel Mr Izak Rosenfeld who, along with his work for international rights organisation Access Now, mentors law students at Melbourne Law School.
  • Arts manager Mr Abe Watson, who specialises in theatrical production and operations and is a well respected member of the central Victorian creative community.