ASSID Jim Woodworth Memorial Student Award 2008

PHOTO: Ms Maria Campbell (right), accepts her Award from Oak Lifestyle Choices Divisional Manager, Mr Rick Baxter.

The annual Australasian Society for the Study of Intellectual Disability (ASSID) Jim Woodworth Memorial Student Award for 2008 has been won by a Launceston-based disability client coordinator. Ms Maria Campbell was presented with the coveted award, and a cheque for $1000 from Oak Tasmania, at the ‘Celebrating Support Workers’ Conference in October.

Ms Campbell has been working at Independent Services in Launceston since 1999 and has undertaken certificate level studies in Disability Work before recently attaining her Diploma qualifications. Ms Campbell said she was ‘quite surprised and shocked’ to have been presented with the Award.

 

 

 

“Being recognised for my efforts in the disability sector is enough of a reward in itself,” Ms Campbell said, “But to actually be the recipient of the Jim Woodworth Memorial Award is an absolute honour, and my certificate is proudly displayed on my desk for all to see!”
Oak Tasmania Chief Executive Officer, Mr John Paton, congratulated Ms Campbell on winning the Award and on her career achievements.

“Oak Tasmania recognises the importance to the industry, and the importance to the recipients of our sectors’ services, of the excellence in academic pursuit which is being successfully translated into the workplace.”
Ms Campbell started work with Independent Services in 1999 as a cleaner, before volunteering and filling in for staff absences. This then led to casual employment as a support worker which Ms Campbell found very rewarding and challenging.

“I was then offered the opportunity to study and to gain qualifications and knowledge whilst maintaining my employment. Thanks to the support of Service Coordinator Karen Watson, my colleagues, my family and State Enterprise Training, I can continue to encourage and support all of our clients and staff to reach their own personal goals.”
The Memorial Student Award was struck in honour of the late Jim Woodworth, a former manager of Disability Services South, in recognition of his services to the disability sector. The annual Award recognises people who work in the disability sector who further their own education through certificate and diploma level studies, and apply that knowledge and skill to the disability sector.