On the 21st of November, Western Sydney University student leaders and staff members were taken back to the 1920s. Student Leader’s Gala attendees came dressed in glamorous and glittery attire with pearls and feathers, culminating in a Great Gatsby experience.
Staff members worked hard putting the event together, and student club leaders accepted noteworthy awards for their dedication to contributing to campus life.
Gala emcee and STEM and Campus Life Officer George Haddad said: “The Student Gala is more than a formal event; it celebrates the lifeblood of our campuses: our students. It provides space to recognise student leadership, creativity, resilience, and community impact, while bringing together students from different clubs, programs, and backgrounds who don’t often share the same spaces”.
It was a great opportunity for mingling and networking at Bankstown’s Sports Club ballroom after a long year of persistent organising and campus life curation. Student club awards were celebrated by the crowd over dinner and dessert.
The Robotics Automation and Manufacturing (RAM) Club won the 2025 Club Engagement award. The club played a massive role in making engineering more fun, providing student members with creative ideas to expand their skills whilst building on-campus friendships. The Treasurer from the club, Seemrah Panwala commented, “We’re truly grateful for this recognition as a team. It means a lot to us and fuels our passion to do better, push boundaries, and keep growing together”.
Western Sydney Muslim Students’ Association Campbelltown (MSA) won four awards, including the Community Service and Club of the Year awards. The club aims to give students safe, enjoyable, and productive spaces on campus. Individual MSA leaders were recognised for their unwavering commitment. The Vice-President, Joanna Debel, was awarded Leader of the Year and Rayn Siddiqui received the Unsung Hero award.
A spokesperson from the MSA’s stated:
“For WSU to recognise the MSA’s efforts this year shows that we are truly at the forefront of student clubs on campus. This means that the Muslim community can be confident that they can participate in meaningful initiatives led by passionate and committed leaders. These initiatives are designed to support students during their studies by helping them stay connected to their religion. Our aim is simple. It is to provide students with the tools, spaces and support they need to build firm faith, remain grounded and grow into resilient Muslims in every aspect of their lives that they can take with them after university”.
Western’s Book Club won the Collaboration award. Book Club president and University staff member Lidya Rivai is a deeply involved student, collaborating with W’SUP News on various online publications. Rivai has contributed reviews on Onyx Storm and A Different Kind of Power in 2025. The club came together with other book societies from different universities for movie outings and more.
The Best Club Event award this year went to the Western Vietnamese International Student Association (VISA) for their annual Moon Festival on campus. As seen on their Instagram highlights, VISA celebrated the festival with cultural foods, games and a lantern parade. They also had the opportunity for student attendees to make their own artworks. The Panel Recognition award went to the Alliance of Social Gamers (ASG) and in collaboration with VISA and other clubs, they hosted this year’s Amazing Race. Students were able to partake in outdoor challenges, win prizes and enjoy free food. The Rising Star award went to the Anime Club with excitement from the crowd looking forward to seeing what the club has planned for 2026.
Natasa Aster-Stater, 2025 Director of W’SUP News, announcing Léane Debize’s award, by Olga Nebot.
Netherlands Bachelor of International Studies exchange student Léane Debize was awarded Editor’s Choice Award 2025. Debize’s contributions to the publication covered significant issues like the memorial for Uncle Greg Simms OAM, the article which won her award.
Debize commented on her win, describing attending the memorial as one of the most important parts of her exchange trip. Debize is pursuing a Master of Journalism, specifically covering politics and international affairs. One of her dreams is to start a podcast in 2026.
W’SUP Wrapped editions were provided on each Gala table, acknowledging and reflecting on W’SUP News’ big year. The online version can be accessed here.
Seeing multiple clubs win awards shows the diversity of talent, skills and interests amongst Western’s students. To view the full list of awards from the night, click here.
