[CDU eNews] - CDU MEDAL WINNERS FROM HUMPTY DOO

[Peter.Hurt at cdu.edu.au]

Humpty Doo a cradle of CDU intellect


Humpty Doo, that much-maligned rural area south of Darwin, has suddenly
emerged as the cradle of intellect for Charles Darwin University.

Both this year's University Medal winners - for Higher Education and
Vocational Education and Training - live at Humpty Doo.

The University Medals are among the highlights of a glittering graduation
ceremony being held over three nights at the university's Casuarina and
Alice Springs campuses to honour almost 2500 graduands.

Winner of the University Medal for Higher Education is Lisa George, now a
teacher at Humpty Doo Primary School, who graduated last year with a
Bachelor of Teaching degree.

The University Medal for VET studies has been awarded to Gillian Thomson, a
librarian at Royal Darwin Hospital, who successfully completed a Diploma in
Library and Information Studies.

Other Medal winners this week are:

·     The Chancellor's Medal for Higher Education: Catherine Dianne
Kinsella, Kelly Scurr, Cholena Smart, Peter Clifton, Yusuke Fukuda.
·     The Chancellor's Medal (VET): Manuel Brian Santos Yambao III, Pua
Chern Hwui.



Both University Medal winners are mature-age students who have changed
careers as a result of their studies.

A delighted Ms George, who has three children aged 11, 12 and 14, said
today:"I'm extremely honoured and overwhelmed to receive this medal - and,
I must admit, a little surprised, too, because I graduated last July and
have been teaching here ever since.

"I just work hard at what I do and certainly didn't expect this - I'm
humbled and surprised."

Ms George, 39, said after leaving South Australia in 1984, she had spent 17
years in the horticultural industry, working on farms and in nurseries.

"I just got tired of physical, unskilled work out in the heat," she said.
"My parents and my sister were teachers and I always vowed and declared I
never would be, but then my partner and I decided I'd go for it.

"Studying was quite demanding financially, but I loved it - and many of the
students were about my age, so we'd hang out together.

"Now, I'm loving teaching. It's all-consuming, the school is very
innovative and the staff are very supportive. My university degree course
was full of new things in education and this school is keen to move
forward, too."

University VET Medal winner Gillian Thomson, 43, has two sons, and a
partner in the horticulture business. A psychiatric nurse by training, Ms
Thomson left her birthplace of Scotland in 1986 and spent several years
traveling around Australia  before settling at Humpty Doo and raising a
family.

She started casual work at Taminmin Community Library and loved it so much,
she decided to pursue it as a career.

"I've now been at the RDH library for the past four years," she said."The
diploma took me five years as a part-time course and it was a big learning
curve to start with. I think it might be easier to study now than when
you're younger. You tend to try harder, because you know that's what you
want to do."

Ms Thomson said she was"surprised and honoured" to receive the Medal and
had no intention of returning to nursing."I did general nursing and
psychiatric nursing, but libraries are generally less stressful," she said.

More than 500 graduands have received formal recognition of success in
their Higher Education or Vocational Education and Training studies at
outdoor graduation ceremonies on the university's Casuarina campus
yesterday (Thursday) and today. About 1500 family members, friends and
academic staff, have witnessed the ceremonies.

Graduand responses are being given in Darwin given by Catherine Kinsella
and Byron Kennedy.

A further 80 graduands will be honoured at a ceremony on the Alice Springs
campus on June 17.

A total of 2447 people graduated from Charles Darwin University last year,
but for various reasons - some were offshore students, others external
students from interstate, for example - many have been unable to attend the
ceremonies.

The ceremony tonight (Friday) will start at 6.30pm, with a fireworks
display at the conclusion.

Lisa George and Gillian Thomson are available for interview

Media release issued by Peter Hurt, Media Manager (08) 8946 6019




Peter Hurt
Media Manager
Charles Darwin University
Tel: 08 8946 6019 or 0438 466 439

CRICOS Provider No: 00300K