Staff member named NSW ATSI Student of the Year

Friday 8 September 2006

University of Newcastle staff member Allison Burgess has been named the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year, at the 2006 NSW Training Awards.

The 23-year-old, who works with the University's Careers Service, was announced as the winner last night at the Awards Dinner in Sydney.

Allison completed a traineeship at the University in 2004, studying Certificate III in Business at TAFE and working with the University.

On finishing her traineeship, Allison started work with the University on a part-time basis, and moved into a full-time role with the Careers Service in February this year.

Allison, who has a young son, said she was thrilled to receive the award.

"I am so excited, this is fantastic," she said. "It hasn't always been easy to juggle work, study and motherhood, but this recognition makes it worth the effort.

"I would like to study Social Sciences at the University next year and major in Aboriginal Studies as it's a passion of mine."

Media contact: Katie Porritt on 02 4921 5120