The faces of volunteering: Uni celebrates community contribution at Chancellor’s Awards

More than 200 of the University’s volunteers came together to celebrate their contributions to UOW and the wider community at the annual Chancellor’s Awards.

The Chancellor’s Awards were hosted by Ms Jillian Broadbent to recognise voluntary service by community members and graduates of the University.

Volunteers were recognised in two categories – voluntary contribution to the University and voluntary contribution to the community.

Murray Reid and Mike Archer received the two University awards and Susan Young and Estrella McKinnon won awards for their contribution to the community.

As well as celebrating the four award winners the night was about celebrating with volunteers from all over the campus community.

Speaking at the ceremony Ms Broadbent said community involvement was a key part of the University’s strategic plan into the future. She gave the example of how volunteers help with training young doctors at the Graduate School of Medicine.

“We’ve had 140 volunteer patients and that component of volunteers from the community is an important part of teaching those young doctors to have experience in the medical profession,” she said.

Ms Broadbent also said she was pleased to have the awards named as the Chancellor’s Awards, and that the University deeply valued its partnerships in the community.

“There were a large number of nominees (for tonight’s awards) and according the panel they were of a very high quality, so I want to congratulate those who were nominated and specifically those that are winners,” she said.

After the award winners were announced, Vice Chancellor Professor Gerard Sutton noted that strong community backing is why UOW has been able to grow into such a strong University.

“What a wonderful set of stories that you can multiply by pretty much anyone in this room,” he said.

“This is about honouring the link between our city and our region and our volunteers. I feel honoured to be Vice Chancellor of a university that has so many people who are making this contribution.”

Voluntary Contribution to the University

Murray Reid

Over the last 12 years Murray has been a founding volunteer non-executive Director for URAC, one of the university’s three controlled entities. Since the beginning of the company in 1998, Murray has provided his expert financial advice and donated his time for board meetings, awards nights, committee meetings and various formal and informal discussions.

During that time Murray has helped URAC steer a safe course through various multi-million dollar facility developments, and the severe financial impact of voluntary student unionism in 2006.

Staff, students and the local community benefit from having low cost access to what is now among the best array of fitness, sport and health/wellness facilities, services and programs of any University in Australia.

Murray has also donated his time and energies to other charitable organisations, particularly in the area of cancer research. With his work through the Cancer Council Murray has also acted as an ambassador for the Relay for Life fundraising event.

Mike Archer

Mike has contributed to the University of Wollongong through a number of different forums and mechanisms over the years. Mike was a representative on the University’s Community Engagement Committee from 2004-2008 assisting in developing and implementing formalised community engagement action plans for the University.

In 2008, Mike became a member of the Community Reference Group which was established to broaden community representation and facilitate community input and feedback on new proposals and developments involving the University.

Mike has participated in various working groups which have been brought together to address strategic issues, including the development of the University’s Community Engagement Strategic Plan (both for 2008-2010 and 2011-2013 plans).

Mike has also acted as a voluntary guest speaker at various functions and conferences including the biennial Wollongong History Conference organised by the School of History and Politics in the Faculty of Arts and Wollongong College Australia.

Voluntary Contribution to the Community

Sue Young

Sue is a bilateral cochlear recipient who is currently undertaking a Masters in Health Management and Leadership at the University of Wollongong.

In 2008 Sue implemented a regional ‘Cochlear Implant Support Group’ in the Illawarra facilitated by the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre (SCIC). The network has now grown into the Cochlear Implant Club and Advisory Association (CICADA) which meets bi-monthly. Sue continues to facilitate this branch of CICADA and also contributes at a state level.

Her role in CICADA includes providing one on one mentoring sessions with new recipients and their families and conducting presentations to interested community members, schools, clubs and health care professionals.

Since 2000, Sue has contributed to Hearing Awareness Week activities sharing her experiences as a cochlear implant recipient.

Sue is also a mentor for the local area health services “Stir It Up” program. The project provides cooking classes and nutritional advice to target community members linking community gardens and inexpensive food sources in producing nutritional meals. 


Estrella McKinnon

Estrella’s voluntary work in the Illawarra community has spanned a 30 year period. Her primary roles have included a Justice of the Peace available to the Migrant Community, Chief Consultant for the Illawarra Filipino and Multicultural Women’s Group (IFMWG) and Chairperson of the Illawarra Multicultural Services.

Estrella has worked to promote justice and equity for the migrant community through advising individuals of services available, legal rights and responsibilities and activities to generate income.

Estrella has also coordinated hundreds of charity events including the Charity Queen and Multicultural Ambassador Quest and has supported the Valentine Queen Quest and Figtree Building Fund for over 10 years.

In 1992, Estrella received a Minister’s Award for the prevention of domestic violence. Decreased rates of domestic violence were noted due to the early intervention and treatment provided by Estrella.

In 2006, Estrella received a leadership award from the peak body of the Philippine Communities Council of Australia, acknowledging her outstanding community efforts.