Tamsin Kepes, a UWA Biomedical Science student, was announced as one of two 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.
Tamsin undertook her internship with mindfulness and wellbeing non-profit, Yogazeit, and was nominated for the Award by her supervisor, Yogazeit CEO Regina Cruickshank.
“Tamsin’s efforts significantly helped advancing Yogazeit’s activities in remote and regional areas, specifically the Deadly Minds Program at Roebourne District High School,” Ms Cruickshank said.
“Her passion for community work, especially with Indigenous communities, and her commitment to physical and mental health education were reflected in all of her initiatives,
“She quickly found her feet in liaising with 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,
“The internship was varied: supporting the translation of Indigenous languages, helping run mindful movement incursions in schools, organising supplies for when the team travels and lots more,
“I was able to see all the things I had been learning about in my Population Health major in action,” Tamsin said.
“This internship led to casual employment at Yogazeit where I have continued as a Project support officer, a role that has involved travelling to remote communities in the Pilbara and Kimberly region, helping create mindful movement cards and curriculums used in schools, organising and running free family mindfulness and movement sessions during mental health week,
“I have also been learning about digital marketing for not-for-profits and creating content to post on social media,” she said.
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.
Tamsin (left) with joint Outstanding Intern Award recipient, Dara Fournier