8 February 2006

Vice-Chancellor's awards celebrate excellence

Staff at the University of Canberra are gearing up for a big day of celebrating staff excellence on Friday, February 10, beginning at 10.30 am.

Guest speaker for the 2006 Celebrating Excellence will be ABC radio and television personality, Julie Mc Crossin. Julie, who has worked as a reporter for both the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and ANZAC Day, says she's thrilled to live in a country where it is possible to do both.

Staff will receive awards for excellence in teaching and learning (teaching awards) and enhancing and contributing (community awards). The awards will also be an opportunity for staff to meet the University's new Chancellor, Professor Ingrid Moses, who will give her first public speech in her new role.

Long serving staff who have been with the University for 15 and 25 years will receive a presentation, along with a reminiscence of the year they began working at University of Canberra.

Vice-Chancellor Roger Dean said the awards, which are made to staff nominated by their peers for teaching and community achievements, are a coherent system of recognition for "those who do" and "those who enable".

"These awards reflect high prestige on both the individuals selected for their personal achievements and very high calibre efforts and the University collectively as the medium in which this degree of excellence has been fostered."

A list of award winners follows:

Vice Chancellor's Distinction Awards for Teaching and Learning 2006

Winner: Ms Julie Posetti, Journalism Lecturer

Julie Posetti is a journalism lecturer and tutor with the School of Professional Communication. Julie has a background in broadcast journalism, having worked with the ABC and is responsible for developing and overseeing the ABC student internship program for the university's third year broadcast journalism students. In addition Julie has pioneered the University of Canberra's innovative online news service, NOWUC.com that allows senior journalism and broadcast students to experience TV and radio in a 'live' newsroom environment.

Commended: Mr Paul Magee, Creative Communication Lecturer

Paul's dictum for teaching comes from the Russian linguist Roman Jacobson who said, "Science is not doctrine but inquiry". Paul's background in performance art is reflected in his teaching methods that include films, audio tracks, visual art and web based art, in addition to off campus excursions. Paul says that as he asks his students to perform to a very high standard they deserve to receive the benefit of a serious engagement with the ideas they formulate.  

Vice Chancellor's Distinction Awards for Enhancing and Contributing to the University and Regional Community

Winners

Mr David Tattersall

The University of Canberra Music Society has been transformed under the Musical Direction of David Tattersall.   He has improved membership, enthusiasm and performance standards, with the Society taking on, for a paying public, works such as Handel's Messiah and staging them to critical acclaim.

Professor Craig Bremner

Craig Bremner was the driving force behind the inaugural Canberra Architectural and Design Biennial.   It was his initial idea and vision and he took it to the University and the wider community.   The Biennial is a public event with an exhibition of structures and a Forum that showcased design innovations from around the world.  

Dr Margi Bohm

Dr Bohm's innovative partnerships and science programs with regional schools, colleges and other institutions have led to her award nomination.   The programs, usually held outdoors, are designed to excite and impassion young people to embark on journeys of discovery through life long learning.

Mr Greg Boland

Greg Boland has been nominated for the breadth and quality of his voluntary work.   This includes scouting, working with disadvantaged groups of young people particularly in sailing, leading training sessions in accounting for voluntary organisations and also assisting as an honorary auditor in the schools system.

Mr Gerald Tarrant

Gerald Tarrant's statistical analysis underpins much of the policy and planning at the University, but he is always willing to explain statistics in a simple way. Gerald is also committed to improving the student experience, formerly as Disability Committee Secretary and as a mediator for student grievances and appeals.

Commended: The Equal Opportunity Committee

The Equal Opportunity Committee worked hard in 2005 to strengthen and extend University policies and procedures.   Highlights included the Equity Handbook, Harmony Week and Awards, UC Women's Forum and Building an Inclusive Community staff training.  

UC Communications

Gaye Morrison
T: 02 6201 5855
M: 0409 470 755

Kaddie Pass
T: 02 6201 2681

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Copyright © 2005 University of Canberra

Last Updated on August 1, 2005