When Blake Thornton of Eight Mile Plains started university at QUT, he didn't expect to be accepting an award for volunteering. If anything, he thought the only time his name would be called in front of a large crowd would be on graduation day.
But Mr Thornton's efforts in bringing students together through programs like East West and QUT Connect have helped earn him a 2014 Volunteer of the Year award in recognition of his contribution to making QUT a more vibrant and connected campus.
He was one of three individual and one group winner announced at the QUT Ball on Friday night.
"One of the mistakes I made was not getting involving in uni life when I first started at QUT, which is why I think these programs that help people connect are so important," he said.
"I know both sides, and getting to know different people and helping different people get to know each other really make a difference to a person's university experience."
Mr Thornton is a member and one of the organisers of the East West program which connects international and domestic students and has been responsible for running the Global Cafe, which offers a friendly environment and free coffee for students to mingle.
He has also been heavily involved in volunteering during orientation activities and has run QUT Connect programs which help first year students settle into uni life.
Mr Thornton, who is currently studying his Master of Business Process Management through QUT's Science and Engineering Faculty, has proved to be a great role model for students and is an example of a quiet achiever who boasts a mature outlook.
QUT's Student Support Services director Chris Hepperlin said the winners were important members of the QUT student community.
"These inspiring students have gone above and beyond what is expected and have helped make the QUT community a great place to study and work," Mr Hepperlin said.
"They have shown leadership, a commitment to making a difference, and have been positive role models within the QUT community."
The other winners were:
Edward Robinson of Buderim is a QUT law student who has contributed greatly to creating a positive and vibrant law community at QUT. He showed leadership as convener of the Faculty of Law high school mooting competition, which was an eight month project and involved 36 Queensland schools. As convener he coordinated mentoring services, arranged for prestigious law firms to judge the competition and applied for funding. He also developed the Mooting Society website during its inaugural year. Mr Robinson is a student representative on the Alumni Board and supports first year VC Scholarship recipients. He also raised money for the Learning Potential Fund - which helps low-income students - by taking part in the Law Alumni versus Students comedy debate.
Angela Watson of Ashgrove is a PhD scholar who proves higher degree research students are engaged and involved in student life and the QUT community. Ms Watson is a high-performing student and a valuable member of the CARRS-Q team. She volunteers on a number of committees that benefit students and staff and has worked to established interest groups that help support researchers. Ms Watson has also shown strong leadership in her role with the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) Olympics social events, which aimed to foster a spirit of inclusiveness among the IHBI community.
The group winner was the QUT Music Society, which has contributed to the growth and success of the student club QUT MuSo. This Society brings QUT culture to life through music. The all-inclusive group welcomes students from all study areas and musical interests and host events on and off campus. The Society seeks to develop ensembles, orchestras and holds summer workshops. They also provide entertainment at events to support student creativity, talent and achievement.
Media contact:
Sandra Hutchinson, QUT Media (Tue, Wed, Fri), 07 3138 9449 or media@qut.edu.au
After hours, Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901
