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Christmas 2014USQ

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The Vice-Chancellor’s

CHRISTMAS MESSAGEWith the year rapidly drawing to a close I would like to thank you for your support throughout the year and the role you have played in the continued development of USQ.

Our University has been working very hard this year and we have had some major wins in a tough environment. 2014 has been a year of progress and development, with the University looking to position itself in the evolving education landscape. The year has seen changes in the University to improve our operations and innovation.

Some major initiatives over the past two years include

• major organisational restructures

• the maturation of SAF projects

• the implementation of our Research Plan

and well-being and take advantage of technology and infrastructure.

There is no doubt that we are in challenging times but we are up to the challenge. We continue to be in a sound financial position and will pursue our intention to be one of Australia’s great regional universities with a global reach and impact.

I recognise and thank you for your hard work and commitment throughout 2014 and I hope the break gives you an opportunity to spend time with family and friends.

I would like to wish you and your family a very safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

Jan

Our current investment into online education, the construction of a new five-star green building that will expand our activities at Springfield and our work with the University of Queensland to transition their Ipswich campus to USQ for the start of the 2015 academic year are indicative of the progress, development and growth that USQ is undertaking.

While our teaching programs continue to expand to meet the needs of our students and the workplace, this year also saw USQ launch our new Institute for Resilient Regions which will undertake a wide range of research to help regional communities adapt to change, develop strong and effective leadership, prosper through sustainable business and development, maintain good health

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“...and thank you for your hard work and commitment throughout 2014 and I hope the break gives you an opportunity to spend time with family and friends.”

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Long service awards

10 years of serviceMs Christie WhiteMr Daniel EisingMr David FawcettMr Dennis RochfordMrs Fiona BrokschMr Grant WoottonDr Janice JonesMr Jason MyattDr Lara LambMr Luke DruryDr Malcolm GilliesMs Mary ReyesMr Nicholas ErbacherMrs Pamela HarrisMr Scott SorleyMs Tiffany HardyMs Wendy Murphy

20 years of serviceMrs Annette GollanMr Chris SnookMr Derek TurnerMrs Helen McBreenMr Jason SteinhardtMrs Rae JonesMr Ray Wells

25 years of serviceDr Aidan BurkeProfessor Cath RogersMr Graeme RussellMs Lindy KimminsMr Mark PhythianProfessor Thanh Tran-Cong35 years of serviceAssociate Professor Jill LawrenceMr David Woodroffe

Awards for Excellence in Research2013 Award for Excellence in ResearchAssociate Professor Wei Xiang

2013 Award for Excellence in Research (Early Career)Dr Allan Manalo

2014 Award for Excellence in Postgraduate Research SupervisionProfessor Aileen Cater-Steel

2014 Award for Excellence in ResearchDr Tek Maraseni

Learning and Teaching AwardsUSQ Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student LearningDr Andrew Hickey Ms Jacinta Maxwell Ms Tonia Chalk

Associate Professor Margaret BaguleyMs Jennifer McIntyre

Community Engagement and Service Awards2014 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Community Engagement

For the Fraser Coast Health Professionals Local Education and Research Nexus ProgramMs Julie Martyn Dr Jamie Shield

Associate Professor Jennifer Kelly

2014 Vice Chancellor’s Commendation for Community Engagement

For the Beyond Year 10 Camp ProgramMrs Cynthia Burge Ms Jenny Ball

2014 Vice Chancellor’s Commendation for Community Engagement

For the BEAMS (Building Engagement & Aspirations through Mentoring in Schools) ProgramProfessor Marie Kavanagh Mrs Anita Williamson Ms Eseta Tualaulelei Mrs Deborah Meyer Miss Elle Green Ms Julie Boulton Mrs Julie Crouch Mrs Tracy-Madonna Wylie Dr Ingrid Gow Mr Charith Jayawardene

Professional Employee Achievement Awards2014 Award for Achievement in Continuous Improvement

For the Monthly Outbound Communication to StudentsMrs Camilla Stinson Ms Samantha Metzroth Mrs Trish Keane

2014 Commendation for Achievement in Continuous Improvement

For USQ Newsfeed and USQ Change makersMr Luke Ainsworth Mrs Rebecca Miegel Ms Samantha Metzroth Miss Tania KelseyMiss Emma Molen Miss Hannah MathewsonMr Joshua Murphy Mr Mike Beveridge Ms Robyn Evans

2014 Award for Outstanding Service in Living the USQ ValuesMr Jonathon Fowler

The full list of award winners can be found here - http://www.usq.edu.au/hr/odt/rewrecdv/awardrecipients

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USQ StaffAwards

Awards for Excellence in Research2013 Award for Excellence in ResearchAssociate Professor Wei Xiang

2013 Award for Excellence in Research (Early Career)Dr Allan Manalo

2014 Award for Excellence in Postgraduate Research SupervisionProfessor Aileen Cater-Steel

2014 Award for Excellence in ResearchDr Tek Maraseni

Learning and Teaching AwardsUSQ Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student LearningDr Andrew Hickey Ms Jacinta Maxwell Ms Tonia Chalk

Associate Professor Margaret BaguleyMs Jennifer McIntyre

Equity and Diversity Achievement Awards2014 Equity and Diversity Achievement Award

For the Ally NetworkMs Sarah Hawes

2014 Commendation for Achievement in Equity and Diversity

For her role in establishing the Indigenous Employee NetworkMs Sharron Jackson

2014 Commendation for Achievement in Equity and Diversity

For his role in the Racism: It Stops With Me campaignMr Phillip Eastment

The 2014 USQ Staff Awards Ceremony have acknowledged the success of staff through the presentation of Long Service Awards; Professional Employee Achievement Awards; Learning and Teaching Awards; Awards for Excellence in Research; Community Engagement and Service Awards; and Equity and Diversity Achievement Awards

Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas said USQ’s dedicated staff was crucial in ensuring the University continued to provide high quality education and services to students.

We would like to congratulate all the 2014 Winners.

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Some of the Christmas Wonderland volunteers...

Front: Michelle Griffiths, Zoe Lynch, Fiona Margetts, Donna Williams, Tracy Russell, Michelle Brown, Chelsea Koelmeyer

Back: Duane Roth, Ron Pauley, Cara Knight, Adam Patching, Sean Davidson, Hazel Harrower, David Martinelli

Christmas Wonderland Dozens of staff members from across the University are offering their time to assist the Toowoomba Lions Club run its annual Christmas Wonderland lights display in Queens Park.

USQ are hosting two nights during the display, celebrating the festive season and contributing to the community at the same time.

The Office of Corporate Communication and Public Relations coordinated USQ’s volunteers and would like to thank all those who have offered their time. The lights display is located in Queens Park’s Botanical Gardens and opens nightly from 7.00pm- 10.00pm until Christmas Eve.

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Future Students given VIP access to USQ staff

Thousands of people will commence study with USQ next year, and staff are on hand to answer any questions the new students may have.

The University has invited all new students, as well as those still weighing their options, to attend one of USQ’s information sessions known as Conversation Hours.

Starting university study can be a daunting experience and students may have a lot of questions

Those looking for more information about studying with USQ, investigating how to change QTAC preferences, or just wanting to chat with someone about what their future could look like – USQ Student Relationship Officers (SROs) are here to help.

On Saturday December 20, from 10am - 2pm, a number of USQ staff will be available to answer questions. People can chat online with current USQ students or call 1800 269 500.

People will also be given the opportunity to talk one-on-one at Conversation Hour events being held in Toowoomba, Springfield and Fraser Coast.

USQ’s doors will be open on December 22 from 10-11am for those wishing to have a chat with SROs in person. The USQ Toowoomba session will be held in R Block while USQ Fraser Coast attendees will meet in the Library and USQ Springfield in the Auditorium foyer.

While this time of transition to university can be anxious, USQ staff are more than happy to guide students through it.

These USQ events are designed to help people change preferences to get into the degree they want or simply talk about the process of applying to uni and student life.

For more information, visit http://www.usq.edu.au/VIP.

Community pitches in for school garden

A Hervey Bay Special School space described as “just grass and dirt” eight weeks ago is now a beautiful sensory garden thanks to USQ’s Change Makers program, Fraser Coast Anglican College (FCAC) students and supporters.

The FCAC team won $5000 to create the garden after pitching their idea at the inaugural Change Makers Pitchfest on USQ Fraser Coast Open Day in August. That garden was officially opened in December.

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Life begins at 60 for Maryborough grandmother

Starting university and embarking on a new career at 60 years of age isn’t fazing Marilyn (Lyn) Smythe of Maryborough.

Having just completed the Tertiary Preparation Program (TPP) at USQHub@Maryborough, the massage therapist is excited about her expected acceptance into a USQ undergraduate program for next year.

“As my step-son said when told I was going to university: ‘Life begins at 60!’”

Ms Smythe has been perusing the courses involved in the USQ program of her choice – Bachelor of Arts majoring in history and Australian studies.

“The courses are all really interesting,” Ms Smythe said. “I can’t wait to get started.”

The grandmother of two young girls said that although she was a qualified massage therapist and had run her own business for the past 12 years, she did not have degree level education.

“You don’t know what you can do until you take that first step,” Ms Smythe said.

“And you’ll get so much support from the lecturers and other staff at USQ. The TPP course doesn’t cost anything. If you need a change in career, just give it a go. I thoroughly enjoyed doing TPP.”

Vice Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas said almost 50 course enrolments in TPP and Head start with a 90 percent retention rate had been achieved at USQHub@Maryborough since it opened in July.

“More than 30 students enrolled in USQ programs living in the Maryborough region are also accessing the Hub services,” Professor Thomas said.

For more information on what’s available at USQHub@Maryborough please visit: http://usq.edu.au/frasercoast/maryborough

“After moving to Maryborough in 2003, I opened a remedial massage clinic with my partner, which I continued until starting TPP at USQ in July,” she said.

“Because of physical strains of doing massages, most therapists remain in the business for only four or five years. I was in business for 12 years and was really starting to feel the effects.

“I’m interested in doing research either in the political realm or for books and documentaries. Being able to work from home would be ideal.

“My USQ studies will be mostly external and I’ll be able to use the University’s facilities in Maryborough and Hervey Bay.”

Ms Smythe has urged anyone who is thinking about applying for university to give it a go. For those who haven’t studied for some time, she recommends enrolling in TPP first to get a feel for university without committing too far ahead.

9Marilyn Smythe of Maryborough looks forward to learning more about Australian politics at USQ next year

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Ms Valery Tomkys, an avid supporter, financial benefactor and good friend of USQ passed away recently.

Along with her sister, the late Betty Greenwood, Ms Tomkys helped to establish the Greenwood-Tomkys Fund Scholarship in Nursing- one of the largest financial gifts to be made to the University.

Daughters of long time Toowoomba residents, the late Jack and Mary Tomkys, the Fund was created in memory of the Tomkys family and Betty’s husband Jim. Founded in 2010, the Fund was set up to provide scholarships, bursaries and other educational assistance for nursing students and other allied health professions and disciplines.

Tiffany Hardy from USQ’s Alumni and Advancement Office said even though Ms Tomkys was advanced in years, she believed giving to USQ students was a wonderful cause – one that was close to her heart.

“Ms Tomkys understood the power of education and the

lack of support for student nurses,” Ms Hardy said.

“She wanted to support students studying nursing as she saw nursing as a very noble cause.”

Ms Hardy also said nursing both her parents in their later life may have influenced Ms Tomkys decision to fund a nursing scholarship.

Born in 1925, Ms Tomkys hailed from one of Toowoomba’s founding families. Her great-grandfather was William Shuttlewood, one of the first people to settle in the swampy flats that eventually became Toowoomba.

Ms Tomkys cared for her parents as they aged, and in her retirement she kept busy by socialising with her friends and family while growing orchids, roses and tending her garden.

Ms Hardy said Ms Tomkys was an avid baker and generous host, always making guests to her home feel welcome and valued.

“Every time I visited her home there was a table full of cakes, biscuits and the like - she was a very lovely hostess, and you could tell she was a lifelong server and giver. Val had a genuine compassionate sprit, plus a wonderful sense of humour – I will miss her.”

USQ says thank-you to Valery

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After its establishment earlier this year, the USQ Elders and Valued Persons Advisory Board (EVPAB) met for the third time at USQ Springfield.

The Board, made up of representatives from local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, meets three times per year to advise the Vice-Chancellor on all matters relating to Indigenous affairs at the University.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas said the establishment of the Board had strengthened the University’s capacity to engage and partner with local communities.

“Members are incredibly generous with their time, knowledge and insights,” she said.

“Our discussions are frank, open and rich; I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to meet and learn from these fine people. With their help and advice, our University is steadily improving how we serve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.”

In addition to the successful establishment of the EVPAB, USQ can boast a very successful program for supporting Indigenous school kids, led by the flagship DARE mentoring initiative, and to the success of the Gumbi Gumbi Gardens at USQ Toowoomba that have won design and environmental awards since opening in 2013.

“This year has also seen the establishment of the College for Indigenous Studies, Education and Research (CISER) with a new highly experienced Director, Professor Tracey Bunda,” said Professor Thomas.

Indigenous affairs important for USQ

“In 2015 the University will be launching its Reconciliation Action Plan, Indigenous Research Strategy and a comprehensive set of Indigenous Cultural Protocols. In addition, steps are underway to ensure that all USQ staff have access to cultural awareness training that provides an enhanced understanding of Indigenous perspectives and cultures; and encourages an appreciation of the major benefits of diversity.”

Uncle Darby McCarthy, Mr Phillip Dreise, Ms Bethel Mabo, Dr Mark Copland, Uncle Mal Collinge, Mr Wayne Fossey, Aunty Lurlene Henderson, Professor Tracey Bunda and Mr Ian Wheeler.

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USQ graduate Jacinta Kenewi-Waine has made her career in aviation but now her spirit is flying higher than ever after graduating with her Master of Project Management.

The Papua New Guinea resident is one of seven students who graduated from USQ with an Australia Awards Scholarship recently.

The scholarship aims to provide international students a chance to study and develop their skills and knowledge at USQ so they can better contribute to development and change in their home country.

This semester’s cohort included students from Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Cambodia and Pakistan.

Ms Kenewi-Waine said her experience at USQ was something she’d remember for the rest of her life.

“My sister studied at USQ and I visited her in 2001; that’s when I fell in love with Toowoomba,” she said.

“When I saw the Australia Awards Scholarship up

for offer I decided to go to Toowoomba because I loved the environment there.

“I didn’t know much about USQ when I came here but I couldn’t be more thrilled with my experience, I’ve had such great and professional support and formed valuable friendships.”

Ms Kenewi-Waine said she picked up a love for aviation when she would accompany her father, who was a rural medical orderly, on plane trips around Papua New Guinea.

She worked as an air-traffic controller for 14 years before getting a position formulating and implementing domestic and international air-transport policies for the Department of Transportation.

Jacinta flying high at Australia Awards Graduations

For more information, visit www.usq.edu.au/scholarships/usq/australian-award-scholarships

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