Celebrating Deakin Res Success in 2019

DRS and Deakin staff, Residential Leaders, and high achieving residents came together in September this year to celebrate our DRS Student Experience Awards at Waurn Ponds Estate. Three awards categories were presented on the afternoon by special guests Kean Selway (Chief Operating Officer), Kerrie Parker (Chief Financial Officer), and Jean-Marc Kuban (DUSA President).

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION AWARDS

Our first category of awards are for those residents who have been nominated by their peers or by members of our DRS staffing team for their contribution to the residential community this year.

Sportsperson of the Year

Callum Smythe (Warrnambool) Having previously played lacrosse at both an Australian state and national level, Callum recently fulfilled a lifelong dream to play Lacrosse at a collegiate level in the USA.

International Student Contribution

Shashwat Sharma (Waurn Ponds) Since arriving on Residences, Shashwat has immersed himself in residential life, and has shown a willingness to give anything a go, even when it is outside his comfort zone.

Community Development

Alex Bradley (Burwood) Alex is involved in the creation of many events at Res. Alex is supportive of our residents and is always available to provide advice, support or just a friendly chat.

Tom Stanfield (Warrnambool) Since February, Tom has been the Maremma Manager for the Middle Island Project in Warrnambool, and actively encouraged his fellow residents to also get involved. The Project aims to protect penguins on Middle Island from foxes and stray dogs that cross to the island at low tide.

Marcus Watson (Waterfront) Marcus is always one of the first to put his hand up to assist with activities and events, and he goes above and beyond to ensure residents feel welcome and at home whilst on residences.

Leadership

Laura Buykx (Waterfront) Laura has been described by her peers as being organised, bubbly, positive, encouraging and committed to her role as a residential leader and has consistently lead by example and been a role model to her fellow residents this year.

Gabbie Farnham (Burwood) As an RL, she has contributed in many ways to Res as a whole; whether it is organising an event, running Res netball, social media promotion on the Burwood Facebook page or supporting our residents.

Alannah Williams (Warrnambool) Alannah has demonstrated exceptional leadership as the musical director for Warrnambool’s 2019 production of Mary Poppins!

RESPECT Community Values

Lauren Allen (Waurn Ponds) Lauren was nominated for being encouraging and getting everyone involved. Lauren recently actively participated in a Girls Night In, providing support, comfort and advice to first year residents, encouraging them to open up and talk about their concerns.

Iain Colliver (Waterfront) Iain received not one, but four nominations for this award! Iain is an active participant in all Res events and actively seeks out others and encourages them to also get involved.

Noah de Win (Burwood) Noah has taken the initiative to run the weekly board games event at Burwood, including throughout trimester breaks.

Tiana Gervasoni (Warrnambool) In her nomination, Tiana was described as enthusiastic, always encouraging others to participate and get involved. Tiana also recently organised and hosted a Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser for Warrnambool staff, students and residents, raising over $400 for Cancer Council Australia.

ACADEMIC AWARDS

Deakin Residential Services has a long history of academic success, with residents continuing to achieve greater levels of both success and retention. This category of awards are for those residents who have achieved the highest average mark in their Faculty for trimester 1, 2019.

Academic Award – Faculty of Business and Law
Cooper Sharman (Burwood)

Academic Award – Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment
William Chant (Waurn Ponds)

Academic Award – Faculty of Arts and Education
Tara Cosson (Burwood)

Academic Award – Faculty of Health
Portia Kross (Waurn Ponds)

STUDENT EXPERIENCE AWARDS

Our final award category is for those students who have undertaken Residential Leadership roles this year, and have been nominated by their campuses for their exceptional role in organising or facilitating an activity, event or campaign as part of our student experience framework.

Health and Wellbeing

Gillian Ballinger and Katie Hughes (Waurn Ponds) Katie and Gill have displayed great initiative and leadership to organise a Girls Night In to empower their fellow female residents. Katie and Gill developed a logo, directed media clips promoting the event, actively sourced suppliers to provide samples for “goodie bags” and approached powerful, empowered women to either film a video message or attend in person as a panel member – showing a high level of organisation, detail and consideration.

Social and Community

Ella Speed (Waurn Ponds) Ella is incredibly eager to learn and this year, partnered with the Waurn Ponds Campus Life team to spearhead the running of our first ever LGBTI training for residents on campus.

Isaac Wallis (Burwood) Isaac took the initiative to organise the first ever Pride Week events at DRS Burwood.

Arts and Culture

Sarah Stuart (Waurn Ponds) Sarah leads the weekly Art attack initiative at the Waurn Ponds campus. This fantastic activity allows residents a space to escape from the pressures of University, gather with friends and other residents, and participate in many different forms of art, including painting, drawing and spray painting.

Leadership

Tiana Gervasoni (Warrnambool) Tiana is very passionate about her role as a Residential Leader and showed great leadership in organising a Biggest Morning tea fundraiser for Cancer Council Australia.