Behind every pair of shoes is a story

The University of Queensland Gatton campus embraced Diversity Week through the UQ Gatton Photo Competition –Behind Every Pair of Shoes is a Story.

Students and staff submitted pictures of their favourite shoes that best represented themselves for UQ’s annual Diversity Week, 21- 25 May 2012. This year’s theme was Unity in Diversity.

From the 27 entrants, 13 finalists were selected and the three winners were announced at the International Food Festival.

David Innes, Mark Owens and Shea Tucker were selected as the winners of the competition.

UQ Gatton student, Shea Tucker thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the competition.

“It was fun to get involved and it made me think, what do my shoes say about what I do in my life?” Ms Tucker said.

“I love animals and without my joggers I would have a hard time being able to help them as much as I do.”

“I have really enjoyed looking at the other entrants as well and it is very interesting to read the stories behind them,” she said.

Chair of the UQ Gatton Campus Equity and Diversity Committee Professor Helen Ross said they were delighted by the number of outstanding entrants.

“It was clear that each of the entrants had put a lot of thought into the experiences they had in their shoes and how this shapes them as a person and connects them to others,” Professor Ross said.

“The competition played on the idea of ‘standing in others’ shoes’, which tied in very well to this year’s theme, Unity in Diversity.”

“We are united in that we all wear shoes but different in the roles those shoes represent,” she said.

All of the entrants will be on display at the UQ Gatton Library and can be viewed online on the UQ Gatton Facebook page, www.facebook.com/uqgatton.

Media: Erin Pearl (07) 5460 1229 or e.pearl@uq.edu.au