WIL Hall of Fame 2015
The Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Hall of Fame at the University of Newcastle (UON) was established three years ago to commemorate the importance of our industry partnerships and acknowledge the support of our business, industry, government and community partners who collaborate with UON to provide WIL activities in over 173 undergraduate courses across UON.
This annual award recognises the significant contribution of local businesses and the organisations who have contributed to the professional preparation of students past and present, to grow and strengthen the region in which the university campuses are located.
For the partners who host our students, WIL provides an opportunity of an injection of fresh ideas to their operations, as well as having direct access to the best and brightest local graduates for their recruitment needs.
Hansen Yuncken is this
year's WIL Hall of Fame
inductee.
Hansen Yuncken is one of
Australia's leading, privately owned construction 
companies, at the
forefront of change and innovation in the building industry. Founded in
Victoria, the company has been in continual operation for over 90 years and has
an annual turnover exceeding $1billion. The award was received on behalf of Hansen
Yuncken's Newcastle division by Pat McAllister and Matt Bandy.
Associate Professor Willy Sher in the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, nominated Hansen Yuncken for this award and commented, "Hansen Yuncken have been stalwart supporters of our Bachelor of Construction Management (Building) degree for over a decade. They have not only offered our students opportunities to gain real-world experience on a wide range of construction sites but they have also supported a host of WIL-related activities and, importantly, employ our graduates."
The WIL Hall of Fame award was expanded this year to acknowledge not only the collaboration with small to medium sized organisations but also the large enterprises.
The inaugural WIL Hall of Fame (Enterprise Award) was awarded jointly to the Central Coast Local Health District (LHD), Hunter New England LHD and Mid North Coast LHD. Nominated by Professor Judith Scott, Deputy Head of the Faculty of Health and Medicine, UON's three partner LHDs (geographic divisions of the NSW Ministry of Health) were acknowledged for their significant contribution to the clinical placements of UON students in all medicine, nursing and allied health accredited programs.
Since 2012, the UON Partner LHDs have provided approximately 32,000 clinical placements opportunities for UON students, which represents over 2.5 million hours of clinical placements supporting UON students in 13 accredited programs undertaken by students in three faculties and distributed across Callaghan, Ourimbah and Port Macquarie Campuses.
Professor Scott commented, "This represents a critical and enormous contribution to the educational experiences of our students and ensures we are graduating high-quality, globally recognised professionals."
The
three Chief Executives of the LHDs, Matt Hanrahan (CCLHD), Michael Di Reinzo
(HNELHD) and Stewart Dowrick (MNCLHD) were presented this accolade by the
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Caroline McMillen, at the Work Integrated
Learning (WIL) and Industry Scholarships Awards Ceremony.
UON was also honoured to have Nick Minto, Senior Policy Advisor from the NSW Business Chamber as the keynote speaker, and a number of industry leaders attend the awards ceremony including Peter Hansen from Hansen Yuncken and Industry Scholarship sponsor representatives.
The annual ceremony was a great chance for industry partners, colleagues, students and their families to get together, celebrate and recognise the innovation, creativity and passion of University staff and students, and the important contribution of our external partners.
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.