Students, graduates, partner organisations and guests attended the McCusker Centre for Citizenship’s 2025 event today at the University of Western Australia, for the presentation of the Outstanding Intern Award, which this year received a record 142 nominations from internship supervisors.
Eight UWA students and recent graduates were named as recipients of the McCusker Centre for Citizenship (the Centre) Outstanding Intern Award, recognising their contributions to projects in the not-for-profit, community, local government and public sectors.
2025 McCusker Centre for Citizenship Outstanding Intern Award recipients:
- Cynthia Chen, Master of Information Technology, interned with The Kids Research Institute Australia
- Danial Shamsuddin, Master of Bioinformatics, interned with the Lions Eye Institute
- Farah Warnakulasuriya, Master of Information Technology, interned with Patches Australia
- Gibran Alvaro, Bachelor of Commerce, interned with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Paula Plandez, Bachelor of Arts, interned with the Town of Port Hedland
- Phoebe Pether, Bachelor of Modern Languages and Bachelor of Biomedical Science, interned with the City of South Perth
- Tom MacKay, Bachelor of Commerce, interned with the Road Safety Commission
- Wenxin Guan, Master of Business Psychology, interned with MercyCare
Three partner organisations were also recognised for outstanding contributions to the internship program: the Commissioner for Children and Young People WA, disability support organisation, Intelife, and family and domestic violence advocacy not-for-profit, Path of Hope.
With an audience of interns and family, internship supervisors and representatives from the Centre’s industry partners, the Awards were presented by the Honourable Malcolm McCusker AC CVO KC CitWA and Judge Denis Reynolds AM, Professor Tim Colmer, UWA Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and Professor Guy Littlefair, UWA Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience.
The Centre’s award-winning social purpose internship fosters active citizenship in the community. It has grown significantly since it commenced in 2016, with nearly 5,000 internships now undertaken with the collaboration of more than 650 partner organisations throughout the State.
Michelle Scott OAM, McCusker Chair in Citizenship and Director of the Centre, said that students made significant contributions to organisations that make a real difference for WA communities through the program.
“Thousands of UWA students have been able to give back through our internship program, dedicating more than 500,000 hours so far to projects that benefit this community,” Ms Scott said.
“These internships are overwhelmingly a positive experience for everyone involved – 97% of students and supervisors say they would recommend the program. The Outstanding Intern Award recognises students who have gone above and beyond in their efforts, and we are thrilled that so many supervisors nominated their interns this year.”
Along with the Outstanding Intern Award, students’ achievements through the Centre’s academic programs were also celebrated. Catherine Moloney, Clancy Metzke, Esther Seow, Ethan Yong, and Lucy Blake were acknowledged for completing UWA’s Minor in Active Citizenship.
Image: Lucy Blake and Catherine Moloney (centre-left and centre-right) with certificates for completing the Minor in Active Citizenship, presented by the Honourable Malcolm McCusker AC CVO KC CitWA, Judge Denis Reynolds AM, Professor Guy Littlefair, UWA Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience, and Professor Tim Colmer, UWA Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (left to right).