Student awards honour memory of Sue Napier
Both 2013 recipients 'strong advocates for their communities and their ongoing education'
Two UTAS students have been awarded scholarships in memory of the late Sue Napier, former educator and former member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly.
Angus King of Marrawah, whose goal is to become a primary school teacher, has been awarded a scholarship valued at $4000 a year for four years to complete his Bachelor of Education degree.
Damian Bourke of Claremont will complete a Master of Teaching degree with a scholarship valued at $5000 a year for two years.
Both scholarships are funded by the Tasmanian Department of Education and they were presented to the students by Mrs Napier's son James at a ceremony at the Newnham campus of the University today (Wednesday 3 April 2013), with the Minister for Education and Skills, Nick McKim, and Opposition representative Peter Gutwein.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Rathjen, said Mrs Napier, who had not only been a graduate from the Faculty of Education but had also enjoyed an academic career at UTAS, had been much loved and admired by her fellow academics.
"Even after entering politics in the early 1990s, she remained in contact and was a regular visitor to long-serving staff at UTAS until her death in August 2010," he said.
"Her passion for education was immense and enduring. That dedication will live on through these annual awards."
Professor Rathjen said the two students selected for this year's scholarships embodied those values, both being strong advocates for their communities and their ongoing education.
The Minister for Education and Skills, Nick McKim, congratulated the scholarship recipients, saying that Angus and Damian had already shown a talent and passion for education.
"These scholarships are important because they are about recognising outstanding future teachers," he said.
"Good teachers are the lifeblood of our education system; they have the ability to encourage and inspire and to change lives, and I want Tasmanian children to be taught by dedicated, motivated teachers."
The 2013 Sue Napier Scholarship holders
Angus King:
- Comes from a farming family at Marrawah in NW Tasmania;
- Attended Redpa Primary School and Church Of England Grammar School on a boarding scholarship;
- Wants to become a primary school teacher and will study for a Bachelor of Education degree;
- Has spent the past year on a gap year in England working in a boarding school;
- Plays football with the Redpa Football Club and cricket with the Marrawah Cricket Club.
Damien Bourke:
- Has completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at the UTAS Sandy Bay campus and will study for a Master of Teaching degree to fulfil his long-term goal of becoming a school principal;
- Is the first person in his family to attend university;
- Is a passionate landscape photographer;
- Suffers from diabetes and each year volunteers as a leader on junior diabetes camps.
Media contact: Sharon Webb, 03 6324 3218; 0438 510616.
Image: Tasmanian Government Minister for Education and Skills, Nick McKim, last year's recipient Leah Clements, 2013 Sue Napier scholarship recipient Damien Bourke, UTAS Vice-Chancellor Peter Rathjen and Shadow Treasurer Peter Gutwein. Absent: 2013 scholarship recipient Angus King.