Amanda Chitty, a UWA Biomedical Science student majoring in Public Health, has been named as a recipient of the McCusker Centre for Citizenship’s Outstanding Intern Award for her contribution to not-for-profit organisation Denmark Futures.
Nominated by Denmark Futures Executive Officer Juliet Grist for her outstanding contribution to the Thriving Seniors project in late 2023, she was presented with the Award by McCusker Charitable Foundation Directors the Honourable Malcolm McCusker AC CVO KC CitWA and Judge Denis Reynolds AM, and Professor Tim Colmer, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor at an event at the University of Western Australia today.
Amanda contributed 100 hours to the project through her internship, mapping existing wellbeing measures, health services and community resources, analysing data she collected, and assisting with the production of a discussion paper and seniors handbook to help people connect with services and supports.
“It is an honour to receive this Award, and I am thankful to have had the opportunity to complete the internship, which was an amazing experience to learn so much about regional WA. The support I received from Denmark Futures was exceptional,” Amanda said.
“My research helped Denmark Futures better identify wellbeing priorities and future measures and projects that will help seniors in the community thrive. The local community has a data set that can help with future funding applications for these projects,” she said.
Juliet Grist said that with Amanda’s contribution the organisation had achieved far more than initially hoped.
“As an intern, Amanda achieved a great deal, and she quickly became more like a fully-fledged professional team member. Her familiarity with the thinking around thriving communities, combined with her research skills, and willingness to explore what had been done elsewhere really added value,” Ms Grist said.
Amanda was one of eight UWA students and recent graduates named as recipients of the Award and was selected from a strong field of 65 nominees who undertook internships from June 2023 to July 2024.
Image: Professor Tim Colmer, Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, UWA, Outstanding Intern Award recipient Amanda Chitty, The Honourable Malcolm McCusker AC CVO KC CitWA, and His Honour Judge Denis Reynolds, at the McCusker Centre for Citizenship Outstanding Intern Award presentations on 10 October, 2024 at the University of Western Australia.