UQ’s quiet achievers took centre stage at the Miracle Worker Awards cocktail function, held on September 7 at the Staff and Graduates Club on the St Lucia Campus.
Chancellor Mr John Story presented a record 32 Miracle Worker awards to UQ staff members, who were nominated by their colleagues or supervisors in recognition of their hard work and dedication.
This year’s winners included two group nominations, a first in the awards’ 14-year history.
President of the UQ Secretaries and Office Professionals Association (UQSOPA) Tara Kitch said the annual event provided an opportunity for the University to publicly recognise staff members who continually went above and beyond expectations.
“The Miracle Worker Awards are a great way of recognising the valuable contribution staff make to the University so it is pleasing to see so many people nominated,” Ms Kitch said.
“It is also a chance for the Miracle Workers to be publicly thanked and acknowledged for the wonderful job they do.
“There were over 150 guests who attended the cocktail function – it was wonderful to see so many people come to support the Awards and their nominees.”
Established in 1995 by the Scitech General Staff communications group, and now run by the UQSOPA, the Miracle Workers Awards consistently identify UQ's most dedicated characters.
A Miracle Worker is defined as someone who constantly goes above and beyond their normal duties; is greatly appreciated by their colleagues for providing assistance; displays a positive influence in their work environment; shows outstanding professionalism; and possesses great organisational skills.
This year’s nominees were described as “a treasure without measure” and “a true star”.
The winners include:
Lara Atzeni, School Manager, School of Geography, Planning & Environmental Management
Trisha Barbour, Marketing & Administration Coordinator, School of Business
Sharon Boyes, Admin Officer & PA to HOS, School of Nursing & Midwifery
Sharon Christodoulou, Executive Officer, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Relations)
Diana Dragisic, Finance Officer, School of Psychology
Sue Edwards, Executive Assistant, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Relations)
Elizabeth Farrington, Client Services Officer, Student Administration
Carissa Gray, Administrative Officer, School of Medicine
Claire Groves, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Information Technology Services
Julie-Ann Harlow, Finance & HR Manager, School of Biological Sciences
Selena Hobbs, Scientific Officer, School of Biological Science
Kavita Ishmel, Student Coordinator Yr4 Surgery, RBWH Clinical School, School of Medicine
Loretta Jamieson, Personal Assistant to Executive Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture & Information Technology
Joanna Kho, Student Coordinator, School of Medicine
Ammi Knight, Computer expert, ITS Ipswich
Pauline Line, Loans Supervisor, Social Sciences & Humanities Library
Marilyn Maclean, Manager, Student & Academic Administration, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Kathleen McLeod, Personal Assistant to Director, TEDI
Deirdre Mikkelsen, Postdoc Researcher, Centre of Nutrition & Food Science
Cathie Mortimer, Business Manager, Sustainable Minerals Institute
Di Poke, Administrative Assistant, Faculty of Health Sciences
Marcos Riba, Librarian, Ipswich Library
Robyn Robertson, Academic Administration Officer, Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture & Veterinary Science
Alex Stuetz, Student Coordinator Yr3 Surgery, RBWH Clinical School, School of Medicine
Jasmina Tihic, Admissions Officer, UQ International
Jessica Tsai, Multimedia/Graphi Designer, Centre for Biological Information Technology
Janelle Valentine, Senior Administration Officer (Academic), School of Nursing and Midwifery
Lauren Vincent, Administration Officer, School of Economics
Gail Walter, Academic Administrative Manager, School of Biological Sciences
Amy Wong, Student Coordinator, School of Medicine
Biosafety at UQ Team, Occupational Health & Safety Unit
SBS Faculty IT Team, Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences
Media: Ms Kitch (07 3365 1300, t.kitch@uq.edu.au) or Penny Robinson at UQ Communications (07 3365 9723, penny.robinson@uq.edu.au)
