Wednesday 24 April
Welcome to VU Student Awards
Held annually, the VU Student Awards are an important recognition of students who strive to achieve excellence. Victoria University takes pride in student achievements and is honoured to recognise and congratulate the award recipients on their outstanding success throughout their studies.
Join us in celebrating the achievements of our incredible students.
College of Sport, Health and Engineering
College of Arts, Business, Law, Education and IT
Dean's Scholar Award
Dean's Scholar Award
Undergraduate
Melinda Kate Dine
Bachelor of Laws/
Bachelor of Criminology
Undergraduate
Danielle Kanatas
Bachelor of Biomedical Science
Postgraduate
Aline Bonifazzi
Master of Public Health
Postgraduate
Natalia Sanchez
Master of Enterprise Resource Planning
Congratulations!
Download the program to view all of our award winners, citation recipients, and donors.
Thank you to our Sponsors & Donors
These achievements are supported by the wonderful work of academic and professional staff assisting our students to start well and finish brilliantly, as well as generously being sponsored by our Industry Partners and Philanthropic Donors. Thank you all for the contributions you have made to the success of our students.
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We acknowledge the Ancestors, Elders and families of the Kulin Nation (Melbourne Campuses), the Eora Nation (Sydney Campus) and the Yulara/YUgarapul and Turrbal Nation (Brisbane Campus) who are the traditional owners of University land.
To learn more, please contact the Moondani Balluk Academic Unit on +61 3 9919 2836 or [email protected]
Copyright © 2024. Victoria University, CRICOS No. 00124K (Melbourne), 02475D (Sydney and Brisbane), RTO 3113, TEQSA No. PRV12152
Melinda Kate Dine
Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Criminology
An interest in the law piqued when Melinda’s mother was killed and stepfather seriously injured in a car crash caused by a drug driver. Melinda was fascinated by the court process following the tragedy and could see opportunity for reform to improve victim experiences in the criminal justice system. In order to contribute to lowering the road toll and in support of alternative responses to justice, Melinda volunteered her time at the Amber Community, speaking at restorative justice seminars for driving offenders. She later joined on as an Advisory Board member for the Centre for Innovative Justice Restorative Justice Pilot program. Melinda was then statutorily appointed to the Victorian Government’s Victims of Crime Consultative Committee for three years; providing a platform to contribute to justice reform for victims of crime.
Through this volunteering and advocacy, Melinda was further encouraged by legal practitioners to pursue a career in the field. In 2020 Melinda left her 15 year career in the music industry and commenced a double degree in Law and Criminology. Melinda found she had an aptitude and newfound passion for the law. While studying Melinda was awarded an internship with the Aurora Foundation that led to a role as Policy Officer with Barengi Gadjin Aboriginal Land Council where she worked on developing strategic, cultural, and operational policy and on land council policy matters such as Native Title. Melinda also completed a seasonal clerkship with Russell Kennedy Lawyers in Melbourne.
Melinda completed her degree in 2023 and received first class honours with her thesis on the public hearing power of the newly formed National Anti-corruption Commission. In a full circle moment, Melinda started her legal career on graduation by being employed as an Associate to His Honour Judge Palmer in the County Court of Melbourne; the very place she first found an interest in the field.
Natalia Sanchez
Master of Enterprise Resource Planning
As a dedicated professional with an unyielding passion for learning, Natalia has thrived on continuous self-improvement. Her journey from Colombia to Australia has been transformative, enriching her personal and professional growth over the last four years.
Professionally motivated by nurturing student growth, she holds a Bachelor’s in Business Management and SAP certifications, including SAP Finance ERP 6.0. Recently, Natalia completed her Master’s in ERP from Victoria University, and obtained the S/4 HANA Sales on Public Cloud certification. During her Master of ERP, she led a team at the ERP SIM competition with University Alliance and provided strategy on how to play the game. Victoria University Business School came 3rd in the competition and now is the final round Asia Pacific on 26 April. These accomplishments have equipped her to navigate complex challenges within her professional field.
Additionally, Natalia’s interactions with peers and professors from diverse cultural backgrounds at Victoria University have left a profound impact on her life, broadening her perspective and cultivating meaningful connections that transcend borders.
Danielle Kanatas
Bachelor of Biomedical Science
Danielle is a driven and passionate individual whose journey through academia and extracurricular activities reflects her dedication to making a positive impact. Initially apprehensive about returning to university after pursuing a multi-disciplinary career and other life endeavours, Danielle found solace and support at Victoria University, where she quickly felt at home amid the nurturing environment with dedicated teaching staff who are accomplished in their respective scientific fields, and access to cutting-edge laboratory facilities. As a passionate Biomedical Science student, the hands-on laboratory approach at VU was a highlight. One particularly memorable experience involved the surgical excision of a 3mm coronary artery segment from a lamb heart within a strict 3-minute timeframe.
Danielle is a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society in recognition of placing in the top 15 percentile of the Biomedical Science discipline in 2022. In addition to her academic accomplishments, serving on the Victoria University Council as an elected Student Representative further enriched Danielle’s university experience, allowing her to make meaningful contributions and broaden her impact within the University. Danielle was committed to creating a strong nexus between the student body and Council to enhance student experience at VU. She was also nominated to be a panellist on the Strategic Review of the Block Model which focuses on the academic quality and integrity of pedagogical approach. A highlight for Danielle was the Vox Pop she participated in at a Council end-of-year dinner event, as well as appearing on The People of VU podcast with Vice Chancellor Shoemaker. She is also proud to have presented at an Academic Integrity and Assessment Security Symposium alongside professors and experts in academia.
Underpinning Danielle’s endeavours is a values-driven approach, as she remains committed to driving positive change. Her dedication to transformative and impactful initiatives is evident in her continued pursuit of opportunities to make a difference, both academically and professionally. As she embarks on her next chapter, Danielle remains steadfast in her mission to create meaningful and lasting impacts in her community and beyond.
Aline Bonifazzi
Master of Public Health
Aline is a dedicated student who achieved outstanding academic results in her Master of Public Health degree. Her lecturers described her as a highly engaged and considerate student who demonstrated a very high level commitment to her studies. Her academic excellence was particularly evident in a final research unit in which she developed, conducted and wrote a publication-ready systematic review.
Aline was born and spent her formative years in France, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Arts followed by a CAPES qualification to teach English as a second language. After relocating to Australia in her mid-20s, she taught English to international students before taking a hiatus to raise her two children. With their enrolment in school, she seized the opportunity to pursue higher education and fulfil her passion for health and education. Aline obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Sports Science, and later enrolled in the Master of Public Health program at Victoria University. Throughout her academic journey, she has found particular enjoyment in the practical tasks enabling her to apply theoretical knowledge. For instance, she delved into a research project examining the mediating factors between ADHD and eating disorders. She also developed a social media campaign promoting active transportation to Australian adolescents, and designed an education poster aimed at reducing food insecurity in remote communities.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Aline dedicates her time to volunteering, serving as an Auskick manager and coach, as well as a junior football team trainer. She furthered her commitment to community engagement and development by contributing her efforts to the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation’s programs and activities including Daughters of the West. In 2023, Aline had the opportunity to serve as a taskforce member for a commission dedicated to achieving carbon neutrality within her community. The taskforce collaborated to develop a set of recommendations supported by justifications, which was presented to their council members.
College of Arts, Business, Law, Education and IT
College of Sport, Health and Engineering
