Catherine Moloney moved to Perth from the South West at the start of 2024 to study for a Bachelor of Psychology at UWA and immediately started taking up opportunities available through the McCusker Centre for Citizenship.
From the outset of her studies, Catherine added the Minor in Active Citizenship to complement her Psychology major, and had completed it by the end of 2025.
“The McCusker Centre’s Making a Difference unit was the first class I ever attended at UWA. After this I enrolled in Approaches to Wicked Problems, which was focused on child poverty, and I was able to work with a group of students who were understanding, responsive and collaborative. This unit was also my first experience working with professional stakeholders – it was an extremely positive experience, and I felt that I had put work together that I could be proud of.”
After applying for the internship unit, Catherine was selected for a role as a research intern with Anglicare WA, where she supported work on trauma-informed communication processes.
“The internship was my introduction to the professional world, and at the beginning I was nervous. The McCusker Centre team regularly contacted students to ensure that we were okay and provided lessons and regular communication. My supervisor was also lovely and supportive, and the organisation was inclusive and considerate. I learnt about NGO’s, professional life and the impact that places like AnglicareWA have. I was also able to see how the work I completed during my internship made a difference, how it was valuable and important.”
For Catherine, completing the units within the Minor in Active Citizenship had academic, professional and personal benefits.
“I always wanted to do a minor because I felt it added more to my degree than random electives, and I didn’t have enough space to complete a second major. I was drawn to the Minor in Active Citizenship because I have a strong sense of justice and a passion for helping the community.
“I learnt a lot through studying for the Minor. Along with collaboration, academic and professional skills, I learnt a lot about the community and local, national and global issues – there were opportunities to hear different perspectives from a variety of peers and professionals.
“Many of the people I met undertaking the Minor were in more than one of my classes, so it allowed for me to make friends more easily and become more integrated and comfortable in Perth and at UWA. Following my internship, I also joined the McCusker Centre’s Student Advisory Committee, which has been a valuable experience, and I’ve enjoyed working alongside peers towards common goals.”
Looking ahead, Catherine is planning for Honours study before a PhD in Clinical Psychology, and a future working as a Clinical Pyschologist. In the meantime, she is working in childcare and said that the Minor, and specifically the child poverty-focused Approaches to Wicked Problems unit, had helped her secure her current role.
Image: UWA Psychology student Catherine Moloney with Dr Catherine Martin and fellow student, Lucy Blake, at the McCusker Centre for Citizenship's October 2025 event.