2009 winners
(Please note: This is archival information and may not reflect current profiles)
Miss Katrina Bukauskas
2009 Student Leader of the Year
Throughout her time at QUT, Katrina has been actively involved in many areas of the University community.
Currently completing a Bachelor of Engineering degree majoring in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Katrina has been a tutor and supervisor in a supplemented instruction program for first year engineering students, using models, real world examples and peer support to assist student learning.
As a QUT Student Ambassador, Katrina has represented the university at a number of QUT open days, school visits and career expos. Katrina has also represented her Built Environment and Engineering Faculty, giving presentations to prospective students to provide them with an insight in studying engineering and university life.
Katrina has been a camp leader at the Civil Engineering Camp for first year students, as well as a member of the Civil Engineering Social Society, organising industry and social events for fellow students. As a result of her generous voluntary contributions to her Faculty and fellow students, Katrina was elected as one of two Built Environment and Engineering Faculty Representatives for the Student Guild in 2009.
Katrina has been involved in the QUT Chapter of Engineers Without Borders since its inception, holding the roles of Secretary and Education Coordinator during this time. Katrina played a key role in developing the QUT Corporate Sustainability Seminar Series, which provides Built Environment and Engineering students with the opportunity to learn more about environmental preservation and sustainability, whilst networking with industry leaders.
Katrina credits Engineers Without Borders with developing her public speaking, networking and communication skills. She has chosen to pursue her final year project through Engineers Without Borders. Her project is titled 'Emerging technologies for sanitation and human waste disposal in developing communities', which will be based on the communities of Ton le Sap Lake in northwest Cambodia.
In the wider community, Katrina has been appointed to both the Queensland Youth Parliament and the Youth Environment Council, providing the opportunity to learn more about the parliamentary system and the key environmental and sustainability issues facing Queensland.Katrina - Winner
Katrina's outstanding academic achievements have been recognised with no less than five scholarships and bursaries which include the Engineering Link Group and Smallpeice Trust Scholarship, a Thiess Smart State Engineering Scholarship, A QUT Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship, a 2007 Engineers Australia Women in Engineering Bursary, and a 2008 Abigroup Civil Engineering Bursary.
As a result of these scholarships and bursaries, Katrina has undertaken a range of professional work experience placements, working on a number of major projects such as the Southern Regional Water Pipeline, the Boggo Road Busway Site, as well as environmental sustainability roles.
With an excellent academic record, extensive involvement in volunteer opportunities at QUT and in the wider community, and a strong commitment to her personal and professional development, Katrina is one young Engineer to watch. She has an exciting career ahead of her and QUT is very proud of her achievements and our association with her.
Tara Haskins
2009 Student Leadership Excellence Award Winner
Throughout her Bachelor of Education (Primary) studies, Tara has readily volunteered her time to assist her fellow students. Tara is a peer mentor to first year students in the Primary Education course. Tara has also developed an e-portfolio to be used as an exemplar for all QUT Education students. In acknowledgement of her contributions to student learning, Tara received the Executive Dean's Service Award for Students in 2008.
Outside of University, Tara volunteers in a community support and tutoring program, working with a Burmese family to improve their English skills and their knowledge and understanding of Australian culture. Tara has also volunteered in schools in the UK and in Brisbane to assist student literacy development, and to support students living away from home.
To develop her professional experience as a future teacher, Tara undertook a remote field placement to Ubobo State School, a one teacher school with 22 students from prep to grade seven, situated 80 kilometres south west of Gladstone.
Tara has achieved an outstanding academic record throughout her course and has an excellent GPA of 6.4.
Deanna Hood
2009 Student Leadership Excellence Award Winner
Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) and Bachelor of Mathematics double degree student, Deanna Hood is a valuable contributor to the QUT community. Deanna represents her peers as Secretary of the QUT Maths Students Society and as Chair of the Engineering Systems Student/Staff Liaison Committee. Deanna is also a volunteer tutor to QUT maths students, and is a member of the QUT Women in Engineering Club mentoring program.
Deanna has been involved in many charitable fundraising appeals through World Vision, the Australian Red Cross, and the Heart Foundation. Deanna also volunteers her time to a local aged care facility, which gratefully utilises her violinist talent in its therapy programs.
Deanna is an exemplary academic achiever with a GPA of 6.94, receiving a large number of scholarships, bursaries, prizes and awards in acknowledgement of her academic success.
Deanna received a Power Engineering Bursary from the Australian Power Institute in 2008, which provided the opportunity for Deanna to gain professional work experience through Energex's Vacation Engineering Student Program.
Tanya Kretschmann
2009 Student Leadership Excellence Award Winner
A Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) student, Tanya is an active member the QUT community who is dedicated to helping others. As a Senior Student Ambassador, Tanya provides support and guidance to prospective students, helping them transition into university life. Tanya has also been a peer mentor to first year accountancy students, and is the Events Director of the QUT Accountancy Students Association.
In the sporting arena Tanya is a talented cheerleader who has not only competed in QUT's cheerleading squad at a national and international level, but has obtained her Cheerleading Coach Accreditation so she can assist with coaching QUT's new squad members.
Tanya's passion for helping others extends to her volunteer role at the Royal Children's Hospital. As a member of Wonder Factory, Tanya plays an important support role for parents and families by entertaining sick children.
As a Corporate Partners in Excellence Scholarship recipient, Tanya has gained professional work experience at Ernst and Young.
Tanya has achieved an excellent academic record throughout her studies and has a current GPA of 6.1.
Madeline McIntyre
2009 Student Leadership Excellence Award Winner
Madeline McIntyreMaddie has greatly contributed to the QUT community through her involvement in a number of student engineering groups including Engineers Without Borders and Girls in Engineering Making Statements (GEMS).
A Bachelor of Medical Engineering student, Maddie was awarded the Dean's Scholarship for the Developing World in 2007, a travel scholarship which allows Engineering students to volunteer their skills in a developing country to help make a positive difference. Maddie used this scholarship to travel to India to help develop a low cost respiratory monitor for use in a local hospital's intensive care unit. This trip was both challenging and rewarding, testing her technically, academically, culturally and emotionally.
After completing her scholarship, Maddie took on the role as Project Leader for this scholarship program, helping to advertise this program, source sponsorship, help select the new scholarship recipient, and providing the next recipient with support and training.
In 2009 Maddie returned to India, and worked with another QUT student to develop a simple foetal heart rate monitor for use in a community clinic.
Maddie is a high academic achiever whose GPA of 6.5 reflects her dedication to her studies.
Penelope Mee Lee
2009 Student Leadership Excellence Award Winner
A Bachelor of Social Work student, Penny has made an important contribution to the QUT community as an advocate and mentor to fellow students. Recognising the need for a representative forum for students with disabilities, Penny played an instrumental role in the formation of DiffAbility Inclusive, which raises awareness of accessibility and equity issues for disabled people.
Penny has been a Peer Mentor and a Peer Advisor in Academic Learning, helping fellow students develop the skills and confidence to embrace their university studies. In her local community Penny has also volunteered her time to support groups for women with breast cancer, and to palliative care services.
Penny is very generous in volunteering her time to benefit QUT and the wider community, but is also highly dedicated to her studies. Penny is an excellent student with a GPA of 6.6.
Furthermore, Penny was granted a QUT Vacation Research Experience Scholarship which gave her first hand experience in working with a senior researcher on a QUT research project.
Chloe Parker
2009 Student Leadership Excellence Award Winner
Chloe has made a significant contribution to the QUT community through her involvement in a diverse range of committees, events and activities. As a student ambassador Chloe has represented QUT at numerous expos, school visits and special functions, promoting the university to prospective students. Chloe has also represented QUT at the inaugural Initiate Summit on Student Leadership and Engagement.
In the wider community Chloe has volunteered her time to assist a number of charity causes including the Salvation Army's Red Shield Appeal, Clean Up Australia Day, and Zoe's Place Charity Golf Day.
To enhance her personal and professional development Chloe became involved in the Young Achievement Australia Program, creating a short term self-directed business with a group of other QUT students. At the end of the program Chloe received the 2007 Queensland Business Person of the Year (Post Secondary) Award in recognition of her leadership and business acumen.
With a GPA of 6.4, Chloe has achieved an excellent academic record in her Bachelor of Business (Advertising) and Bachelor of Creative Industries (Media and Communication) dual degree. Her achievements have been recognised with a number of accolades and prizes.
Renee Robbie
2009 Student Leadership Excellence Award Winner
Renee Robbie has been an active member of the QUT community through her involvement in a number student competitions and projects. Renee represented QUT at the Global Business Case Competition in Washington as part of a team of QUT students competing against 13 other universities. Renee was the winner of the 2008 Business Icon competition, which tests students' creativity, entrepreneurial thinking, business intelligence, leadership and employability skills.
In the wider community Renee volunteers her time to coach the hockey team at her former school Canterbury College. She also contributes youth related articles through Youth and Family Services to the Albert and Logan Newspaper.
As a recipient of a Corporate Partners in Excellence Scholarship, Renee has undertaken work placements at the Department of Main Roads and the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry to advance her professional development. With an interest in running her own business one day, Renee has also completed a 10 week TAFE associated course on how to Build Your Own Business.
With a GPA of 6.9, Renee's commitment to her studies is evident. She has received numerous prizes.
Robyn Shenfield
2009 Student Leadership Excellence Award Winner
With a passion for acting, Robyn has been involved with QUT's student theatre company 'Vena Cava Productions' since 2006, volunteering in a number of capacities such as performing, providing technical support, as well as taking on the roles of Assistant Director, Company Administrator and Archival Photographer. During her studies, Robyn was a guest tutor to first year education students, teaching them process drama techniques. In June Robyn will attend the English Teachers Association of Queensland Conference where she will deliver a seminar on Teaching Grammar through Drama.
Robyn has contributed to the wider community through her volunteer work with the Brisbane International Film Festival, providing live voice-overs for children's films; and with Amnesty International, working as an Education Liaison Officer. Robyn also played a key role in enabling the QUT student production Like Sand... to be showcased at the Brisbane Festival's fringe festival BF08: under the radar, where it had a highly successful season.
A Bachelor of Creative Industries (Drama) and Bachelor of Education (Secondary) dual degree student, Robyn's commitment to her studies is reflected in her high GPA of 6.2.
Petrina Underwood
2009 Student Leadership Excellence Award Winner
Petrina UnderwoodA Bachelor of Education (Primary) student, Petrina has greatly contributed to the QUT Community. Petrina is an advocate for her fellow students, providing them with academic guidance and support, and raising awareness of the range of student support services available to students in need.
Petrina works as a Research Assistant in QUT's YuMi Deadly Maths Consortium, a QUT program aimed at improving Indigenous students' mathematics learning. Through this role Petrina has undertaken research in remote schools, providing her with the opportunity to connect with a number of Indigenous teacher's aides.
Petrina volunteers at Kedron State High School's Intensive English School, where she assists students for which English is a second or third language. Petrina also works as a Teachers Aide at Dutton Park State School, providing Petrina with the opportunity to work with refugee children and offer support to these children and their parents in the community.
Petrina has overcome significant challenges to attend university and her success has earned her earned her a QUT Dean's Scholar Award for her diligence throughout her studies.
