Work Integrated Learning Awards

The Office of the Advancement of Engaged Learning held its annual Work Integrated Learning Awards on September 12, 2011 at The University Gallery. The WIL Awards recognise excellence in work-integrated learning at the University with the presentation of WIL Student and Staff of the Year Awards. The response to the Awards this year was tremendous, with a significant increase in nominations from students and staff across the faculties and an excellent turnout at the WIL Awards Ceremony.

2011 Award Winners

• Adele Banks
• Joan Williams
• Sarah Jones
• Ben Wiggins
• Catherine Richards
• Clare Brorson
• Dane Lohan
• Ben Cowburn

Adele Banks
Faculty of Business and Law 
Enrolled in a Bachelor of Laws/Diploma of Legal Practice, Adele worked as a para-legal at the University’s Legal Centre as part of her placement for 2011. During this time Adele prepared trial briefs and chronologies, as well as researching legislation and locating difficult to find information surrounding Australian Standards for a coronial inquest. She also worked on files involving wills which resulted in especially high praise from clients. Her professional colleagues at the Centre have called Adele ‘indispensable’ due to her initiative, diligence and ‘fine legal mind

Joan Williams
Faculty of Business and Law
Joan is enrolled in a Commerce/Law degree and completed a Work Integrated Learning program with The Wests Group, Australia. During her time with Wests, Joan worked on a report that will lay the foundation for a core business policy. The implementation of this policy is expected to ‘mitigate business risk and positively impact cash flows’. The Chief Financial Officer of Wests says that the WIL experience was a positive one for Wests, with “real business benefits gained”, meaning that they are more than happy to assist in future WIL programs.
 
Sarah Jones
Faculty of Education and Arts
A student enrolled in a Bachelor of Fine Art degree, Sarah has participated in both simulated WIL scenarios and external projects. She is undertaking a Community Cultural Development course at Wyong TAFE which requires artists to be responsive to community needs while delivering a high standard of art. In her University studies, Sarah has collaborated with a local artist to produce work inspired by a Hong Kong based student’s artwork. The results of this process are being exhibited on Hong Kong in October 2011.
 
Ben Wiggins
Faculty of Education and Arts
Ben is enrolled in a Bachelor of Teaching (primary)/Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies. During his practicum placement for Early Childhood Studies Ben showed himself to be an exceptional student and educator in the workplace setting. The learning activities and professional portfolio he generated for use during his practicum have been used as exemplars for other students in the course. Ben became a valued member of the staff with whom he worked as well as forging ongoing relationships with the families and children from the child care centre in which he was placed. Ben will be speaking about his experiences to future students as part of their preparation for practicum.
 
Catherine Richards
Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment
Catherine has been employed as a Cadet Engineer with Hunter Water Corporation for three years while studying for her Bachelor Engineering (Civil)/Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental).Catherine has managed sensitive contamination studies and environmental reporting projects that would normally be given to an experienced engineer/environmental scientist. In her position with the Hunter Water Corporation she authored the 2010-2011 Environmental Performance Indicators report, including data analysis and comment on trends.
 
Clare Brorson
Faculty of Health
Clare is enrolled in a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. She completed a four week clinical placement this year at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital. During this placement Clare participated in a variety of tasks which were considered well above a second year level. By the end of her placement Clare was able to make initial patient assessments, displaying excellent interviewing and listening skills.
 
Dane Lohan
Faculty of Health
Dane is a Bachelor of Medicine student who completed a University placement entitled ‘Health Equity Selective’ in a town called Tonga, a disadvantaged region in rural South Africa. His placement enabled him to observe a health facility and to examine the issues of equitable health care. Dane worked alongside doctors in casualty, outpatients and theatre where he was exposed to a wide variety of clinical scenarios including the practice of spinal anaesthesia and assisting in numerous caesarean sections. The doctors with whom Dane worked have strongly indicated a desire to work with him again in the future.
 
Ben Cowburn
Faculty of Science and Information Technology
As part of his Bachelor Biotechnology, Ben undertook a ten week placement at Logikal Health. During this time Ben was required to generate manufacturing protocol for a new medical device, ahead of releasing it for production. He had to do this in consult with the client and owner of the product. As part of this process Ben recommended a change in bonding technique and sequence which further aided its production capability. As a direct result, Logikal are manufacturing this device and Ben is now a Logikal employee. Industry host, Ken Logan says, “Ben represents the best possible outcome of WIL.”