UQ Leadership award winner Professor Louise Hickson
UQ Leadership award winner Professor Louise Hickson
3 March 2014

The behind-the-scenes achievements of The University of Queensland’s staff took centre stage at the Chancellor’s Awards for 2014 on Thursday.

Chancellor John Story applauded the “shining stars" of UQ and the vital work they do in supporting the university’s teaching, research and engagement successes.

“For everyone nominated, this is a celebration of their leadership and dedication to delivering an outstanding service, product and opportunities,” Mr Story said.

“Without each staff member contributing in their area — from administration to operations and anywhere behind the scenes — the University would certainly shine less brightly and the academic and research areas for which we are internationally renowned would suffer for it.

Mr Story said UQ’s professional employees added value to everything from daily operational management of research facilities to finance, human resources and information technology services.

“Every day our people go to great lengths to deliver the UQ Advantage, and it’s important that we take pride and recognise the successes,” he said.

Recipients of the top awards were:

  • Professor Louise Hickson from the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences won the UQ Leadership Award
  • Katie Gollschewski from the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering won the Chancellor’s Award for Individual Excellence
  • R D Milns Antiquities Museum team won the Chancellor’s Award for Team Excellence

The University also acknowledges the work of professional staff through the Miracle Worker Awards, for staff who are greatly appreciated by their colleagues for providing assistance, displaying a positive influence in their work environment, showing outstanding professionalism, and possessing great organisational skills.

RESULTS:

UQ Leadership award: Professor Louise Hickson

School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.

This award recognises and celebrates leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the overall success of The University of Queensland.

Professor Hickson has been Head of School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences since 2010, and says the award is due to the successes of a much larger team.

“This award reflects the fantastic academic and professional staff team I am lucky enough to work with in the school,” Professor Hickson said.

The school is recognised as a world-leader in research in audiology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech pathology.

Professor Hickson strives to lead by example in teaching, research and engagement, whether it be guiding audiology students to excellent academic results or working with research grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council and the HEARing Cooperative Research Centre.

“As much as I can I try to provide opportunities for staff so that they can achieve their goals in these key areas as well,” she said.

Professor Hickson has published 200 books, book chapters and articles; is President of Audiology Australia, which represents 2300 clinicians around the country; and in 2013 she won the International Research Prize from the American Academy of Audiology.

She said that while it was important to be a good leader, it was also important to contribute to creating a workplace where “people are happy about what they do and why they do it”. 

Chancellor’s Award for Individual Excellence: Katie Gollschewski

School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering

This award recognises a professional staff member’s outstanding achievement that is well above the generally accepted duties and demonstrates initiative in their chosen field.

Katie is the first, and often the last, point of enquiry for academic administration at the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering.

In her role, she helps students with visas, changing degrees or supervisors, the publishing of electronic course profiles and examination papers and the uploading of results. She has formally documented Research Higher Degree procedures and tirelessly helped implement new policies and processes.

Although her list of tasks is much longer than this, she completes all tasks with a calm demeanor, good humour and good grace.

Chancellor’s Award for Team Excellence: R D Milns Antiquities Museum team (James Donaldson, Daniel Press, Jessica Dowdell and Katie Dean).

The Chancellor’s Award for Team Excellence recognises the significant achievements of high performing teams of professional staff at The University of Queensland.

The R D Milns Antiquities Museum team has implemented a new public database of 500 key objects and made significant progress towards providing 3D models.

Their 2013 achievements include: Three major purchases, more than two dozen objects added to the collection through loans and donations, welcoming more than 7000 visitors, achieving a 95 per cent satisfaction rating at events, and a 100 per cent “likely to return” rating from teachers who have taken school groups to the museum.

Despite all working part-time and studying, they have also completed a major exhibition Then and Now, which documents the history of the museum over its 50 years.

Media: UQ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au