From left to right: Shiree Heath, Colm Halbert, Robin Blumfield, Lisa Yen, Wendy Southwell, Marcus Bingemann and Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton.

This year’s Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Awards for Professional Staff were announced in a ceremony at the Lakeside Marquee on 14 November.

HR Director Nicole Gower served as Master of Ceremonies, and Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton presented the awards to the staff who were nominated by their peers earlier this year.

“Each of you has contributed in a very real and demonstrable way to our success as we move from a time of great change to one of growth as we build on the foundations we have laid in recent years,” Professor Dowton said at the event. “I am very grateful for your service to the University and I welcome the opportunity to present these awards.”

A list of recipients in each category is highlighted below:

Collaboration and Connection category

Winners

• Leigh Staas, Project Manager, Biological Sciences – for her commitment to developing multi-disciplinary research and education initiatives which have resulted in outstanding partnership and funding outcomes.
• Human Science Team (Lisa Yen, Colm Halbert, Linda Schofield, Shiree Heath, Robin Blumfield) – for their work in supporting Macquarie’s application for two new ARC Centres of Excellence which required significant collaboration across and outside of the University.

Highly Commended

• Louise Dodd, Project Coordinator, Australian Hearing Hub – for her work connecting and enabling all partners of the Australian Hearing Hub to operate effectively together.

Innovation and Process Improvement category

Winner

• Marcus Bingemann, Associate Director, International Communications for Macquarie International – for his transformation of the way the University interfaces with prospective international students, through the establishment of a bespoke enquiry management, CRM and conversion platform.

Highly Commended

• HR Service Champions Team (Fiona Cross, Kaj Gupta, Melissa Walters, Wessels Van Heerden, Samantha Rego, Svetlana Martynovich) – for their innovative approach in the development of the HR Service Charter and reward and recognition program.

Leadership Excellence category

Highly Commended

• Hayley Harris, Program Manager, Education and Faculty Initiatives for Medicine and Health Sciences – for her outstanding collaborative leadership in the development of the Faculty’s new medical program, an incredibly challenging and fluid project.

Outstanding Service category

Winner

• Wendy Southwell, Administrative Officer, Earth and Planetary Sciences – for her high level of professionalism and support of both staff and students within the Department.

Highly Commended

• Sarah Collison, Senior Scientific Officer, Terrestrial Fieldwork Manager, Biological Sciences – for her commitment to going above and beyond to support the welfare of students and volunteers and creating a positive culture in the Department.

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Know any of this year’s recipients? Share your congratulations in the comments.