RHD students cherish VC Award winner Helen Moffatt

Congratulations to Helen Moffatt for winning a Vice Chancellors Award for Professional Staff Excellence in the individual category!

What is exceptional about Helen Moffatt, administrative assistant to Dr Alistair Rolls, Deputy Head of School Research Training in the School of Humanities & Social Science, is her unwavering kindness towards Research Higher Degree students. “She devotes all of her energy on a daily basis to our School's 150 RHD students, all of whom she knows by nameâ€, says Dr Rolls.

However, Helen doesn't see her approach as being exceptional at all. It's just good old fashioned customer service. “The customer has to be satisfied otherwise the organisation won't be successfulâ€, she says modestly. Helen has a diverse background that is founded in the retail industry and based on the principle that the customer always comes first. “They have to be happyâ€, she says.

Helen was also an Australian ballroom dancing finalist over a 12 year period and taught competitive ballroom dancing for many years.  She was an adjudicator, examiner and a director on the Australian Dancing Board. One wonders about the extent these remarkable experiences have influenced the unrivalled focus, initiative and empathy displayed in her work at the University.

This is not to say that her work is without its challenges. RHD students often present to Helen with unique and complex issues. “It's not a system where one-size-fits-allâ€, she says. “They are 150 individuals so it's a matter of finding a way that suits the individual to get what they need to help the research and so that it's not a burdenâ€. This is what motivates Helen the most. Finding solutions for students gives her immense satisfaction. “I get it all backâ€, she smiles.

Her focus and work ethic has resulted in positive experiences for the hundreds of RHD students she has supported during her time in this role. “Helen is tireless in pursuing the best outcomes and does not give up until she has secured the outcome that she thinks is appropriateâ€, says Dr Rolls. “She is universally cherished by students for her unfailing supportâ€.

Congratulations Helen!