Award for Outstanding Community Engagement

Student Award Winners

2008  Ms Maria Boulatsakos, Bachelor of Exercise Science student, Strathfield Campus

Ms Maria Boulatsakos has been involved in numerous community engagement initiatives, taking great pleasure in her work and in making people smile. Since becoming a Children’s Entertainer, Ms Boulatsakos explored unique opportunities in the community working at a number of charity events and entertaining sick kids at a children’s hospital. Her diverse experience has included volunteering at an American summer camp for children with behavioural, learning and emotional difficulties and at an Edmund Rice holiday camp for disadvantaged Indigenous children in Central NSW.  On campus at ACU National, Maria coordinated the “Make Poverty History” project at Strathfield and volunteered her talents as a clown during the 2008 Orientation program. She has also spoken about Social Justice Projects on a University DVD, assisted with a “Shadowing Program” and volunteered at the “SpiritAlive Fest” during World Youth Day. The selection panel considered the outcomes of Ms Boulatsakos’ engagement to be exceptional, with impressive support documentation and longevity of involvement.

2007  Ms Coni Forcey, Bachelor of Social Science student, Melbourne Campus

Ms Forcey is passionately concerned about the environment and the effect of climate change on people and their lives in the future. As Co-Founder and Co-President of the (Melbourne) Bayside Climate Change Action Group (BCCAG), with a membership of around 450 families, Ms Forcey has demonstrated engagement at a number of levels including government, business, local council, community groups and local residents. BCCAG has made significant progress in achieving its objectives, having a positive effect on reducing the impact of climate change. Most notably, they organized a human sign on Sandringham Beach, with over 2,500 local residents and 13 local schools participating to form the message “Halt climate change now!”, featured on Australian and International websites. Ms Forcey was interviewed in an episode of ABC Catalyst for making a significant impact through her community work in raising awareness of climate change and working to educate her local community. BCCAG has also organised Public Forums, a No Junk Mail Campaign, and Solar challenge. Through BCCAG and subsequent activities, Ms Forcey has helped to promote the community’s concerns about global warming at the local, state and national level. She takes a positive attitude and shapes activities that encourage individual and collective action. Council considers the group a key collaborative partner in the development of Council initiatives to reduce the community’s greenhouse gas emissions.