Noosa’s Elle Henson will be one step closer to achieving her dream of helping disadvantaged people reach their potential when she graduates from The University of Queensland on Monday.
Despite having cerebral palsy, Elle has overcome her mobility issues to excel in a Bachelor of Social Work.
Elle’s course coordinators describe her as a “total joy to teach.”
Field Liaison Tutor at her current placement Brisbane Domestic Violence Advocacy Service, Rachel McCarthy, cannot praise her work and efforts enough.
“Elle is reflective, extremely organised and responsible for her work,” Ms McCarthy said.
“Already displaying strong professional behaviour and values of a social worker, she is well organised, courteous, a positive communicator and has not once let her disability get in the way of excelling in social work.”
Starting her time at UQ in a Bachelor of Arts program, Elle transferred to social work in 2009 when she realised her ambition was to support others - just like her family and friends have always supported her.
“Social work instills a sense of social justice and compassion for people who need it most,” Elle said.
“This program even inspired me to become a UQ mentor, to assist other students with their transition to university life.”
Elle said the most difficult part of the degree was moving away from her family and finding her independence.
“It was a great opportunity to live at Union College and make lifelong friends,” she said.
As for what the next chapter holds for Elle, she would love to work in a hospital as she’s passionate about health and recovery.
“I feel that a social work degree teaches you to challenge yourself and make the best of your skills in any organisation and I'm really looking forward to being a social worker,” she said.
About 5700 students will graduate at the 20 graduation ceremonies being held at UQ this month.
More than 7000 UQ students will have their degrees conferred this month.
This graduating cohort is joining a group of more than 200,000 distinguished UQ alumni many of whom are pursuing careers around the world while choosing to stay connected with UQ.
UQ is renowned for its teaching and research excellence.
It ranks at 65 in the Times Higher Education list of the world’s top 100 universities.
Details of venues and times for the UQ end-of-year graduations are available online.
Media Enquiries: Elle Henson, 0401 301 025 / (07) 5455 5865, elle.henson@uqconnect.edu.au or Kristen Bastian: Faculty Marketing Office – 07 3346 9279 or k.bastian@uq.edu.au
