The Commissioner for Children and Young People WA (the Commissioner) has been recognised for making a significant contribution to the McCusker Centre for Citizenship’s award-winning internship program for UWA students.
More than 650 organisations have now partnered with the McCusker Centre for Citizenship (the Centre) since its internship program began in 2016, and the Commissioner’s office was one of three organisations acknowledged today for their ongoing commitment to the Centre’s internship program.
Joining the program as a partner organisation in 2021, the Commissioner’s officer has now hosted 24 student interns, who have undertaken roles including a wide range of research topics, policy review, community engagement, and data analysis and reporting. The Commissioner also partnered with the Centre to deliver a practically-focused academic unit earlier this year, exploring solutions to child poverty in Australia.
Commissioner Jacqueline McGowan-Jones said that partnering with the Centre provided opportunities to gain valuable student perspectives while empowering them to make a meaningful contribution to improving outcomes for children and young people in WA.
“My team has benefitted from the energy, passion and insight of interns who come to us ready to make a positive impact,” Ms McGowan-Jones said.
“Guiding students as they learn how to apply their skills within an organisation working to benefit the community is a privilege, and it is wonderful to know that these students leave their internships equipped to advocate for children and young people into the future.”
Rachel Roy, Executive Manager with the Commissioner, and Chanelle Wilson, Senior Research and Data Policy Officer, were presented with a certificate recognising the organisation’s outstanding contribution by the Honourable Malcolm McCusker AC CVO KC, and His Honour Judge Denis Reynolds, representing the McCusker Centre for Citizenship Advisory Committee.
Michelle Scott OAM, McCusker Chair of Citizenship at UWA and former Commissioner for Children and Young People, said that she was extremely grateful to have the Commissioners support for the program.
“We have now had almost 5,000 UWA students undertake internships through our program, and 97 percent say they would recommend it to their peers. The growth and impact of the program has been possible because our partner organisations fully support our students,” Ms Scott said.
“Organisations like the Commissioner’s office provide students with the chance to apply what they are learning at university in professional settings, in ways that make a practical difference for the community.”
In addition to the Commissioner, disability support social enterprise, Intelife, and family and domestic violence not-for-profit, Path of Hope, were acknowledged at the event.
Image: Rachel Roy, Executive Manager with the Commissioner for Children and Young People WA (centre) accepts a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the Commissioner, 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).