Each year high-achieving students are invited to apply for the prestigious Bowater Trust Medal. Finalists are interviewed and the winner is selected by a panel including a representative of the Bowater Trust.

Formerly known as the Bowater Medal and HS Archdall Medal, the Bowater Trust Medal is awarded annually to a Deakin Business School graduate who is considered the best all-round undergraduate student for academic merit, extra-curricular activities and ambassadorial qualities.

Deakin Business School, in consultation with the Bowater Trust, shortlists the highest achieving graduates, who are then invited to make a submission to a panel comprised of Deakin Business School academic staff and a Bowater Trust representative. Final selection of the 'Deakin Business School Graduate of the Year' is made after an interview process.

2026 winner profile

Baxter House - Bowater Trust Medallist 2026

I graduated from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Economics. During my degree, I balanced my studies with  disability support work and lifeguarding, whilst  completing an internship at PwC.

I was lucky to be a part of two international programs that truly shaped my time at Deakin and my understanding of knowledge learnt in the class to real-world examples. In 2023, I had the privilege of representing the Australian Government and Deakin University as a New Colombo Plan Scholar in the Mitsui & Co Immersion Program in Tokyo, Japan, gaining an in-depth understanding of international business and trade through visits to organisations including the Australian Embassy and Chiba Steel Mill.

In 2024, I took part in Deakin’s International Consultancy Experience in Ho Chi Minh City, working collaboratively with a team of fellow Deakin students to develop a strategic marketing plan for Saigon Business School.

One of my proudest achievements was being selected to speak on behalf of my graduating cohort. A meaningful opportunity to represent my peers and reflect on everything we’d shared throughout our time at university.

Since graduating, I have begun further studies and am now in my second year of a Diploma in Construction Management, while also working part-time at Vaughan Constructions.

My goal is to combine my commerce and economics background with construction management, growing into project management, business development and leadership roles within the construction industry.

Bowater Trust Medal honour board

The Bowater Trust Medal has been awarded each year since 1998. Previously it was called the Archdall Medal, then the Bowater Medal.

We are very proud of the academic achievements of our past winners, chosen as ambassadors for the Deakin Business School.

2026 – Baxter House
2025 – Bhavya Bagaria and Noah Foster 
2024 – Kai Crosby
2023 – Jill Absolom
2022 – Benjamin Kenworthy
2021 – Joshua Ball
2020 – Simon O'Loughlin
2019 – Emma Black and Catherine Mason
2018 – Chelsey Taylor
2017 – Brad Underhill
2016 – Courtney Dufty and Benjamin O'Sullivan
2015 – Ellen Crocker and Steffan Irugalbandara
2014 – Amy Bilton and Melissa Cameron
2013 – Stephanie Moloney
2012 – Rachel Krasky
2011 – Hannah Macdougall
2010 – Lakmini de Silva
2009 – Jenelle Morton
2008 – Naomi MacLean

2007 – Stephen Evans
2006 – Arwen Tisch
2005 – Rachel Jones
2003 – Lisa Humphries
2002 – Peter Cullinan
2001 – Robert Richard
2000 – Chin Tee Tan
1999 – Jenny Smallwood
1998 – Larelle Woods and Lucy Kardas
1997 – Jodie Black
1996 – Sandra Hillas Wilcox
1995 – Todd Bryers
1994 – Janis Wells
1993 – Kerryn Mansell
1992 – Robert Argieri
1991 – Elizabeth Hunger
1990 – Clare Walker
1989 – Merrilyn Hotchkin
1988 – Lydia Borrino