newy.com.au – Newcastle Writers Festival founder Rosemarie Milsom and journalist Sally Spicer have been honoured at the University of Newcastle’s 2026 Alumni Excellence Awards, recognising their contributions to literature and reporting on domestic and family violence.
Milsom received the Newton-John Alumni Medal for founding the festival, while Spicer, who began her career at local radio station 2NURFM, won the Young Alumni Award.
The awards were presented across nine categories at a ceremony in the university’s Great Hall, recognising graduate achievements in research, community service and leadership.
Milsom, the festival’s longstanding director, said the university had supported the event from the beginning. Her ties to the university had continued through mentoring interns, working with students and serving as an adviser.
“I’ve attended the awards several times as a guest and always leave feeling inspired by the incredible people being recognised,” she said. “I honestly never imagined I would be a recipient myself, so it feels very special.
“But I also feel like I’m accepting it on behalf of everyone who has contributed to the Festival over the years – our volunteers, sponsors, writers, audiences, and previous and current board members. It feels like everyone’s achievement, not just mine.”
Spicer is now senior producer at Future Women and executive producer of There’s No Place Like Home, a podcast focused on domestic and family violence. The university credited her with helping change how Australian media covers the issue.
Reflecting on her career, Spicer encouraged current students to seek experience and make use of the connections they build at university.
“Find people who are willing to give you a chance, and remember that figuring out what you don’t enjoy can be just as valuable as discovering what you do.”
The Alumni Medal was awarded to Professor Matt Dunn OAM. Indigenous genomics researcher Professor Alexander Brown received the Indigenous Alumni award, while Dr Courtney Barnes won the Beryl Nashar Research Award.
Chris Govers received the International Leadership award, and Belinda and Adam MacDougall received the National Leadership award.
Wendy Lindgren OAM was recognised with the Alumni Award for Outstanding Volunteerism. The Bill & Iris Burges Trust received the Convocation Medal for Exceptional Contribution.
