The 2021 UNiDAYS Student Awards have officially ended! Thank you to everyone who entered and nominated a mate. We loved reading every entry! Now, without further ado, meet our 2021 winners below:

The Trendsetter - Logan Weckert

Follow Logan on Instagram at @loganweckert

What are you currently studying?

Bachelor of Marketing and Communications (UniSA)

Going back to the start of your journey, what made you decide to enter the Student Awards?

To be honest, I was just flicking through my emails and saw ‘$500 New Balance Gift Card’, so that had just grabbed my attention being the NB enthusiast I am. I looked at all the details and thought I may as well give it a crack as I seemed to fit all the criteria. I kinda felt the award was made for me!

What is it about the fashion industry that you’re so passionate about?

I originally gravitated towards sneakers when I was first getting into fashion, but I soon realised cool shoes only looked decent with a proper outfit. So from there I was introduced to streetwear brands like Palace and Supreme and everything has just evolved from there. Currently I just have an appreciation for stuff that you just don’t see everyone wearing and trying to be slightly different without getting too much out of my comfort zone. This has led me to the point of digging into the archives of brands and buying more obscure/random pieces, while also designing some of my own clothing to try and stand out.

What do you think made your entry stand out?

I think my entry really showed how passionate I am about New Balance, which is clearly seen on my Instagram. The brand has taken over my life the last 2-3 years and I even have friends make jokes whenever I’m not wearing a 990/992/500/574 etc. I’ve just reached 25 pairs of NB’s, and it's really hard to see them ever leaving my rotation.

Who or what inspires you?

I live on social media so there’s a few figures on there that influence the way I dress and inspire me to do stuff differently. Lil Yachty (@lilyachty) is the best dressed rapper on the planet and anything he wears catches my attention. Then there’s Trevor Gorji (@trevorgorji) who’s just a kid my age in LA that has his own brand, however I seem to dress like him the most in regards to skate/workwear, as well as influencer Magnus Ronning (@magnus) and my good friend Daren (@crispiestpata) who has put me on to so many brands/styles and encouraged me to try new things.

What’s next for you?

So I am just about to graduate which now has me beginning to look for a job and intern opportunities in the marketing field. I also have begun expanding my graphic design skills and making clothes for myself and others, which has been a fun side hustle. Hopefully New Balance sees this passion and enthusiasm I have for the brand as I’m a walking billboard, I would love to work with them in the future!

Biz Whiz - Naomi Arnold

Follow Naomi on Instagram at @FeministCoachAcademy

What are you currently studying?

Master of Human Rights with Curtin University

Going back to the start of your journey, what made you decide to enter the Student Awards?

I entered the student awards on a whim when I received a UNiDAYS email notifying me about the opportunity. We have been actively searching for ways to obtain grants and funding for the Feminist Coach Academy and I have been practicing ‘throwing my hat in the ring’ for opportunities as they arise. I didn’t think I had much of a chance with the Student Awards, but told myself to give it a try! I am thrilled that I did!

What is it about your business that you’re passionate about?

I am passionate about integrating inclusive feminism and social justice teachings - what we call Feminist Coach Theory - into our life, business and client practice.

I have been working in helping professional and business industries for many years. In doing so, I have also undertaken a lot of different courses and training. My collaboration partner Cameron Airen and faculty at the Feminist Coach Academy have also been working in these spaces for many years. Something that we noticed is that most coaching, helping professional and business trainings do not include curriculum on the impact socialisation, oppression, power and the ‘isms’ have on folks, their work, business and client practice.

As a result, helping professionals and business owners often learn a method, a way of working, and a means of relating with clients that is not inclusive and unknowingly replicate oppressive systems, structures, beliefs, methods, binaries, power imbalances and ways of relating in their work and client practice. When helping professionals, educators, leaders and business owners learn Feminist Coach Theory, and how to integrate it in their life and work, they are more equipped to minimise harm and better serve themselves, their clients, their communities and society at large.

We are so passionate about this at the Feminist Coach Academy. It’s also why I’m studying a Master of Human Rights with Curtin University - so I can personally continue my learning and integrate teachings from the human rights field into the work we are doing with businesses, educators and helping professionals at the Feminist Coach Academy. It is our hope that we can co-create a new industry standard together!

What do you think made your entry stand out?

I honestly do not even remember what I wrote in my entry! I remember telling myself to ditch perfectionism and write from the heart. I know the Feminist Coach Academy is doing critical work, involves a collaboration of incredible people, and is something that I am super passionate about it - perhaps the essence of this was captured in my entry and made it stand out? Regardless, I am grateful for whatever it was that stood out and to those who selected my entry - thank you!

Who or what inspires you?

I am blessed to be surrounded by people who inspire me in my business. My collaboration partner, Cameron Airen, inspires me. Those who are on our Advisory Board - Lena West, Desiree Adaway, Sharyn Holmes and Darla Antoine - inspire me. Our incredible faculty - too many to name here - inspire me. Those on our wishlist to someday teach at the Academy inspire me. Our trainees inspire me. My Curtin University lecturers and peers inspire me. The organisers, activists and educators I follow, read and learn from inspire me. These folks (and many others!) are devoted to doing better, to transforming our industries for the better, and to co-creating a new world together. This inspires me in my personal and professional life every single day.

What’s next for you?

Over the next little while at the Feminist Coach Academy, my main focus will be on expanding our reach so even more folks enroll in the training and integrate an inclusive feminist praxis into their life and work. I will also be entering my final year in the Master of Human Rights with Curtin University where I will be writing my dissertation on Feminist Coach Theory - EXCITING! Plus I want to spend more time in my personal life, with loved ones, and with myself. And thanks to this award, I’ll soon be buying lots of Oz Hair & Beauty products for myself and others! And finally, if you would like to stay connected and see updates on what’s next, please subscribe to our newsletter list or follow us on Instagram where we often share updates and news.

Go-Getter - Geetikka Kishnani

What are you currently studying?

I have just completed a combined Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies with Honours at USyd this year, and I am starting a Doctor of Dental Medicine at USyd next year.

Going back to the start of your journey, what made you decide to enter the Student Awards?

The Student Awards are a great opportunity to be recognised for hard work in a myriad of facets and I think taking a chance can be really rewarding, so I'm glad that I challenged myself to apply. I've been connected with UNiDAYS for a while now, and I'm excited to have won!

What is it about running a non-profit business and studying full-time that you’re so passionate about?

I have a vested interest in helping people find their own path and equipping them with the right mindset or toolkits to achieve their goals. All the great people I have met, mentored, and grown with have helped me stay grounded and shown me that I can use my own privilege, knowledge, and experience to support others. I am really fascinated by the mechanics of the body and how it can perform such a wide variety of functions so I absolutely love what I'm studying! I am very creative so I express some of that energy through anatomical artwork in my study notes. I am so passionate about research and finding novel solutions to problems, especially harnessing biomedical technology.

What do you think made your entry stand out?

I am very self-driven and always looking for ways to get involved, so I hope that my genuine passion was reflected in my entry! I am incredibly grateful to be recognised for my work and I am thankful for the strong sense of ethos at DoorDash for empowering students like myself. Who or what inspires you? My greatest inspiration comes from my parents and the journeys that drove their success. My parents have always taught me to strive for mastery in anything I pursue and have really fostered the importance of giving back to the community.

What’s next for you?

I have committed to another 4 years of full-time study and I am more than thrilled to be pursuing the goal I set for myself 4 years ago. I will hopefully be publishing a few of the research articles I am in the process of writing and maybe kicking off some exciting new business ventures in the pipeline!

Innovation Sensation - Akitha Gamage

What are you currently studying?

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical)

Going back to the start of your journey, what made you decide to enter the Student Awards?

I was keen on finding a platform to voice my passion, and decided to apply for the Student Awards.

What is it about innovating and engineering that you’re so passionate about?

I have always been curious about why and how things work the way they do, and felt the constant urge to think about ways to make it better.

What do you think made your entry stand out?

I think my entry stood out because of the personal connection to my experiences and how I would have liked to have the encouragement as a young female to be engaged in a STEM field.

Who or what inspires you?

My mother is my biggest inspiration.

What’s next for you?

Becoming a certified professional mechanical engineer!

Creative Champion - Michelle Loh

What are you currently studying?

Visual Arts

Going back to the start of your journey, what made you decide to enter the Student Awards?

I wanted the opportunity to be able to develop my creativity in a way I haven’t had the chance to before; and learn to create art through new mediums. I love every application of Adobe and hoped to learn the experience of using digital art and other creative mediums such as photoshop and filmmaking.

What is it about creating and being creative that you’re passionate about?

I am super passionate about the process of making and creating pieces of art; whether it being sketching, drawing or painting. It’s amazing that we are able to create art that stems from the imagination, or real life and this is one of the things I love most about being creative.

What do you think made your entry stand out?

My passion for Visual Art and for all things to do with creativity. I love creating with many different mediums such as painting and drawing, but also less common types of art such as mask-making, lino printing and clay sculpting.

Who or what inspires you?

I am inspired by people who decide to make art and be creative in their everyday life; whether it being for fun or for a hobby, or for a profession. Creativity is present in so many parts of people’s lives nowadays, and this is shown throughout, even in the public eye through murals, paintings and collaborations around the world. In the future, I hope to inspire others to be creative also.

What’s next for you?

I hope to learn how to create more art using Adobe platforms and digital art. I also hope to learn more ways to be creative, and share this with others, hoping to inspire people in the future.