2025 Swinburne Student Association Awards celebrate standout clubs and students
The 2025 SSA Awards night saw students involved in clubs and volunteering across Swinburne recognised for their achievements.
In summary
- The 2025 Swinburne Student Association (SSA) Awards celebrate the standout achievements of clubs, athletes and volunteers who make Swinburne a vibrant and inclusive community
- SSA President Sanara Galhenage shares how student clubs and volunteers are key to bringing the Swinburne community closer together
- Swinburne Volunteer Award winner, Sinead Turton, highlights how her volunteering experiences has changed her life
The Swinburne Student Association (SSA) Awards celebrate the standout achievements of clubs, athletes and volunteers who make Swinburne a vibrant and inclusive community.
Taking place at the SSA Sports & Clubs Ball, the awards night is a chance to reflect on the outstanding achievements made by our students and clubs throughout 2025.
SSA President Sanara Galhenage says that student clubs and volunteers are key to bringing the Swinburne community closer together.
“Our clubs and volunteers are imperative in building a strong community here at Swinburne, it’s the glue that binds us all together,” says Sanara.
“Whether it’s organising club events, playing in sports competitions or giving directions to campus newcomers, students put so much of their time and effort in uplifting our community.
“The SSA Awards are a small gesture of gratitude.”
Making a difference
After receiving a perfect score from the judging panel, Sinead Turton is one of three winners of the Swinburne Volunteer Award.
“I’ve been volunteering throughout my life but haven’t found a community that I’ve connected with until now.”
After struggling with sudden job loss, Sinead looked to volunteering to get herself back on her feet after COVID lockdowns.
“I used volunteering to get comfortable with being back in public spaces and interacting with people again.
“I found a role at Lifeblood which I was inspired to join by my nan, who was a blood donor throughout her life.”
2025 Swinburne Volunteer Award winners Mili Chawla, Cinder Stirling and Sinead Turton (left to right).
Through Sinead’s role at Lifeblood, she felt a sense of purpose and belonging with a community. For those who’ve tried volunteering before, but found it hasn’t quite clicked, she shares these tips.
“My biggest piece of advice for anyone curious about volunteering is not to get disheartened if a role doesn’t feel quite right,” says Sinead.
“Keep trying different roles with different people, and eventually you will find a place that can change your life.”
The impact of clubs
From cultural clubs and social clubs, to sports clubs, Swinburne has them all. SSA’s annual awards night celebrates all the types of clubs that cultivate the student community.
Sanara highlights how clubs and volunteers help define the student experience.
“Community is formed through our clubs and volunteers at Swinburne, and the connections made are what complete the student experience.”
The winners
Winners of each category:
Clubs
Club of the Year – Swinburne Music Society
Club Committee Member of the Year – Liam Edmonds-Seng
Club Event of the Year – Swinburne Anime Esports Gaming Expo (SAEGX)
New Club of the Year – Swinburne Education and Teaching Society (SETS)
Academic Club of the Year – Swinburne Engineering Student Society
Cultural and Spiritual Club of the Year – Perhimpunan Pelajar Indonesia Australia (PPIA) Swinburne
Social Club of the Year – Swinburne KPOP Club
Sports
Sports Club of the Year – Swinburne Badminton Club
Sports Team of the Year – Men’s Futsal
Swinburne Spirit Award – Noah Marshallsay
Captain of the Year – Kaitlyn Bacon and Ethan Wischer
Volunteering
Swinburne Volunteer Award – Sinead Turton
Swinburne Volunteer Award – Cinder Stirling
Swinburne Volunteer Award – Mili Chawla
Discover clubs that match your interests, meet new people, and get involved in student life beyond the classroom.
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