UWA students Dara Fournier and Tamsin Kepes were announced as the recipients of the McCusker Centre for Citizenship’s Outstanding Intern Award today, during an event at UWA celebrating the achievements of 13 Award nominees who completed their internship through the Centre.
The Awards were presented by McCusker Charitable Foundation Chair, the Honourable Malcolm McCusker AC CVO KC CitWA, and McCusker Charitable Foundation Director, His Honour Judge Denis Reynolds.
Dara and Tamsin were nominated for the Award by their internship supervisors, after making significant contributions to the work of Anglicare WA and Yogazeit respectively.
Sarah Oldfield, Dara’s supervisor for her Research and Grant Writer Intern role, said she was full of praise for the work Dara undertook during her internship.
“With her commitment to advocacy and tackling disadvantage, Dara was the perfect fit for Anglicare WA,” she said.
“Dara built lasting relationships with our Philanthropy team, making an incredible impact in a short time,
“Even now, months later, her innovative ideas and meticulous research continues to support the work we do,”
Dara said that “working with Anglicare WA as a part of the McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship program was wonderful”.
“I am so grateful to have been given such a great opportunity to use the skills I have acquired in university as a force for positive change in society,
“I am honoured to be a recipient of the Outstanding Intern Award and I look forward to using the knowledge I’ve gained through my internship experience to continue to give back to the Western Australian community,” she said.
Outstanding Intern Award recipient, Dara Fournier, with (left to right) His Honour Denis Reynolds, The Honourable Malcolm McCusker AC CVO KC CitWA, and McCusker Centre for Citizenship Director Michelle Scott OAM.
Tamsin’s internship with mindfulness and wellbeing non-profit, Yogazeit, significantly helped advancing the organisation’s activities in remote and regional areas, specifically the Deadly Minds Program at Roebourne District High School, said Yogazeit CEO Regina Cruickshank.
“Tamsin’s passion for community work, especially with Indigenous communities, and her commitment to physical and mental health education were reflected in all her initiatives,” Ms Cruickshank said.
“She quickly found her feet in liaising with place-based stakeholders, helped with culturally relevant mindfulness resources and proudly presented Yogazeit enthusiastically at our community event in Roebourne,”
Tamsin said she was grateful for the internship experience with Yogazeit, as well as being selected as an Outstanding Intern Award recipient.
“I learned so much and got to experience working with an amazing team dedicated to improving the mental and physical wellbeing of others through mindful movement education,” she said.
“I was able to see all the things I had been learning about in my Population Health major in action,
“This internship led to casual employment at Yogazeit where I have continued as a Project support officer,” Tamsin said.
Outstanding Intern Award recipient, Tamsin Kepes, with (left to right) His Honour Dennis Reynolds and The Honourable Malcolm McCusker AC CVO KC CitWA.
The Outstanding Intern Award recognises UWA students who go above and beyond in their McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship roles, demonstrating a strong commitment to active citizenship.
All 13 Award nominees were praised for their contributions by their nominating supervisors.
Also recognised were the nine students who have completed the Minor in Active Citizenship, an academic specialisation offered by the Centre that combines the internship unit with academic units, focussing on practical engagement with industry partners and critical reflection on personal, community and government responsibility for positive change.
“I congratulate Dara and Tamsin for their outstanding efforts, as well as all those students who were nominated,” said Michelle Scott OAM, Director of the Centre.
Ms Scott said that it was important to acknowledge the achievements of the Centre’s students. Over 2,500 students have now undertaken and internship contributing more than 270,000 hours in service to the community.
“Students gain a lot from McCusker Centre for Citizenship internships, but there is also an emphasis on what they give back to the community, and they truly make a difference to important work of organisations who are effecting positive change,” she said.
His Honour Dennis Reynolds presenting certificates to students who completed the Minor in Active Citizenship.