Farah Warnakulasuriya, a Master of Information Technology student at UWA, has been named as a recipient of the 2025 McCusker Centre for Citizenship Outstanding Intern Award, after an impactful internship with Patches Australia.
With a specialisation in Software Systems, Farah applied for the McCusker Centre’s internship program looking for a way to apply her skills outside the “traditional tech bubble”, and was matched with a role helping Patches trial the use of virtual reality (VR) goggles in therapy for children.
“Farah applied her previous experience as a software developer, her passion for making a difference, and her quiet determination to bring our project to the first clinical trial, as well as our first education system trial with students and educators at North Cottesloe Primary School,” said Patches CEO Dr James Fitzpatrick.
“The best part of the internship was helping launch the very first VR therapy day at the Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) program at North Cottesloe Primary School – this was the first time VR had been introduced in this way in an OSHC program in Perth, and I was able to help lead it,” said Farah.
“Seeing the kids so engaged, curious, excited and smiling was incredible, I’ll never forget that feeling of watching something I’d researched come to life in a way that made a real difference.”
After finishing her internship, Farah accepted a part-time role with Patches as a Software Engineer in VR Therapy and has also supervised new McCusker Centre for Citizenship interns who are continuing this work with Patches.
“I’m really glad that I have been able to continue my work as an employee at Patches – this is role that is in my field, and I get to do the things I love every day. Since starting with the internship, I’ve felt aligned personally with the work Patches does, and the internship program really set me up to use my skills making a positive difference in the community,” Farah said.
Farah has also taken on a role as a Chair of the McCusker Centre for Citizenship Alumni Committee, where she hopes to stay connected with likeminded graduates.
“The Outstanding Intern Award is really special to me, I’m thankful to everyone who helped me along the way, especially Dr Fitzpatrick, who has been my biggest supporter since day one. The McCusker Centre is doing such great things for students and the community, and I feel lucky to be part of it.”
Farah is one of eight UWA students and recent graduates named as recipients of the Outstanding Intern Award for 2025, selected from more than 140 interns nominated by their supervisors.
The Awards were presented today at UWA by McCusker Charitable Foundation Directors the Honourable Malcolm McCusker AC CVO KC CitWA and Judge Denis Reynolds AM.
Image: Patches Australia CEO Dr James Fitzpatrick and Outstanding Intern Award recipient Farah Warnakulasuriya.