TszTung (Tea) Tsang was today named one of the latest recipients of the McCusker Centre for Citizenship’s Outstanding Intern Award, for her contribution with St Patrick’s Community Support Centre.
Now graduated from UWA with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Communications and Media Studies and Fine Arts, Tea interned with St Pat’s during her final year of study in 2023, helping the organisation strengthen their services with a social media strategy and content.
“At St. Pat’s, I came to understand that the community culture established by local charitable organisations helps people practically, and also offers them a sense of home and belonging,” Tea said.
“The social media project I worked on aimed to promote St. Pat's Op shop through the TikTok platform, and to inform the younger generation about the social services provided by St. Pat’ in Fremantle, while also showcasing local multiculturalism.”
Tea was nominated for the award by St Pat’s Fundraising and Volunteer Coordinator, Melanie Watkins, who said her work had raised the organisation’s profile with a younger audience and set them up for future success.
“St Pat’s is a specialist homelessness service and community housing provider, and as a not-for-profit we are heavily reliant on our community for support. Through her efforts, Tea has greatly increased the skill and capacity of our Op Shop team to engage in marketing and advertising, and by increasing St Pat’s brand awareness among people aged 25 and under, Tea supported our fundraising while creating another way for us to connect with young people who were not aware of our services and programs,” Ms Watkins said.
Tea said the internship had also been a chance to connect with the local community, which can be challenging for international students.
“I am immensely grateful for the support and assistance provided to me by Melanie, Sophie, Lyn, and the team at St. Pat’s - their unwavering encouragement was a source of motivation, and witnessing their dedication and sense of responsibility towards their work inspired me to contribute to the organisation wholeheartedly.”
Tea is one of eight UWA students and recent graduates named as recipients of the Award, selected from a strong field of 65 nominees who undertook internships from June 2023 to July 2024.
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, and Professor Tim Colmer, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor at UWA.
Image: St Pat's Fundraising & Volunteer Coordinator Melanie Watkins, Outstanding Intern Award recipient TszTung Tsang, St Pat's Communications Coordinator Sophie Moore, and McCusker Centre for Citizenship intern with St Pat's, Emma Simpson, at a McCusker Centre for Citizenship event on 10 October 2024 at the University of Western Australia.