News Archive

Braden Oliver and Janita Bond were the big winners at the academic awards forum on Avondale College's Lake Macquarie campus, November 8. Mr Oliver and Ms Bond each received the largest monetary award, the $2000 Avondale Foundation Award of Excellence.

Mr Oliver, a fourth-year student, also received awards of excellence in science ($600) and secondary education ($750). Foundation president Dr Norm Young, who presented the award, suggested that because Mr Oliver had earned so much money, he should "invest it, in the foundation." "I'm blown away," says Mr Oliver. "I was hoping for a science award, but the other two are completely unexpected." He is pleased the awards are for more than just academic excellence, saying it reflects well on the college's holistic approach to education.

Ms Bond, who is in the first year of her Bachelor of Teaching (secondary) degree, attended the first half of forum, but then told herself, "I'm not needed here". She was labelling bottles in the chemistry lab where she works as an assistant when foundation general manager Greg Meddick announced her name. Ms Bond is volunteering at Helen Hall's Eden Valley Academy in Thailand next year. She and friend Michelle Long personally approached Ms Hall about the positions-this means they are covering their own expenses. Ms Bond is also a member of the Cambodia mission trip team. The award has helped cover all the costs of both trips.

A violin duet by students Luisiana and Sarah Fischer received the largest round of applause. Their rendition of Pablo de Sarasate's "Navarra" earned praise from president Dr John Cox. "To play Sarasate as Sarasate intended, you not only have to be an outstanding musician, you have to be a performer. The Fischer sisters are certainly that."

Tammy Pannekoek won the first-ever Huguenot History Award of Excellence ($1000). She received it from the president of the Huguenot Society of Australia, Dr David Buchesne. The award is sponsored by royalties from the sale of the book, The French pilot, by former assistant to the president (advancement) Dr Allen Steele. Dr Steele, a direct descendant of Huguenot refugees Andr? and Suzanne Lamoureaux, tells their story in the book.

A full list of the award winners appears below.


Credit: Ann Stafford

ACADEMIC AWARD WINNERS
The names of the winners of the academic awards this year appear after the name of the award. The monetary value of the award appears in brackets after the winner's name.

FACULTY OF ARTS
Award of Excellence in Electronic Media, Josh Coffin ($1000)
Award of Excellence in Journalism, Jarrod Stackelroth ($1000)
Award of Excellence in Radio Production and Public Relations, Daniel Cox ($1000)
Bachelor of Arts Award of Excellence, Jo Darby ($350)
Huguenot History Award of Excellence, Tammy Pannekoek ($1000)
The Alan and Yvonne Thrift Perpetual Shield for Musical Excellence Award, Ben Ashby ($350)

FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Bachelor of Business Award of Excellence, Angie Alford ($1000)
Certificate III in Business Award of Excellence, Heather Major ($250)
Certificate IV in Business Award of Excellence, Jena Watts ($750)

FACULTY OF EDUCATION
Australian Union Conference Secondary Education Award of Excellence, Braden Oliver ($750)
New Zealand Pacific Union Conference Primary Education Award of Excellence, Debra Topperwien ($750)
Primary English Teaching Graduate Prize, Rebecca Carruthers and Madelyne Hodges (Primary Education Teachers' Association certificate plus 12-month membership)

FACULTY OF LIFESTYLE EDUCATION AND VISUAL COMMUNICATION
Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation Excellence Award, Chantel Davis ($250 Mountain Designs gift voucher)
Diploma of Outdoor Recreation Leadership Award, Stephen Trow ($250 Mountain Designs gift voucher)
Hunter Technology Educators Association Excellence Award in Home Economics/Design and Technology Education, Rebekah Szalbot ($100)
Tertiary Student Health and Physical Education Award, Matthew Crawford (Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation certificate plus 12-month membership)

FACULTY OF NURSING AND HEALTH
Academic Excellence Award*
Clinical Excellence Award*

Faculty of Nursing and Health Award, Anocha Pengkhumsri
Robert Gill/Ian Thew Memorial Award, Adrian Mercer
Sydney Adventist Hospital Medical Nursing Award, Joshua Ellison
Mental Health Excellence Award*
Sydney Adventist Hospital Surgical Nursing Award, Luke Borgas

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
Bachelor of Science Award of Excellence, Braden Oliver ($600)

FACULTY OF THEOLOGY
Clifford Anderson Bursary Award, Lili Radziszewski and Peter Watts ($500 each)
Arthur Ferch Prize for Hebrew Studies, Knut Gille and Oscar Hernandez ($500 each)
Bill Marr Institute of Public Evangelism Award, Ben Martin ($1000)
Graham Miller Memorial Award, Kimanh Briden and Troy Roberts ($500 each)
W A Townend Award for Biblical Christian Journalism, Clansi Roy ($500)

AVONDALE COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Avondale College Alumni Association Community Service Award, Madelyne Hodges ($1000)

AVONDALE FOUNDATION
Avondale Foundation Award of Excellence, Lake Macquarie campus, Janita Bond ($2000)
Avondale Foundation Award of Excellence, Lake Macquarie campus, Braden Oliver ($2000)
Avondale Foundation Award of Excellence, Sydney campus* ($2000)

* Awarded during the consecration service on the Sydney campus over the graduation weekend