Olympian passes torch to USC on Women’s Day
Former Olympic kayaker Gayle Mayes has donated her 1992 Barcelona Olympic tracksuit and 2000 Sydney Olympic Relay torch to the University of the Sunshine Coast.
The USC tourism lecturer made the generous donations during the University’s celebration of International Women’s Day in March in appreciation of the University’s help in her academic career.
Ms Mayes gave an inspirational speech about her overlapping and sometimes conflicting athletic and academic journeys, before presenting her Olympic memorabilia to Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill.Siena Catholic College’s manual arts teacher Peta Bourke provided the timber and perspex case to house the Olympic relay torch.
The framed tracksuit and mounted torch are likely to go on display in the University’s new five-storey Health and Sport Centre.
Ms Mayes, who last year received a $10,000 Federal Government grant for her outstanding contribution to student learning, was one of three high-achieving USC staff members who spoke at the International Women’s Day event.
USC’s Director of Information Services Sandra Jeffries and Professor of Psychology Mary Katsikitis both delivered amusing and dynamic speeches, encouraging women to make the most of life’s opportunities.
The celebration also included a free sausage sizzle and entertainment by USC student singer/guitarist Layla Klinkert. —Claire Bruynius
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Student scores league scholarship
Unlike most rugby league fans, University of the Sunshine Coast student Peter Gough dreams of making his State of Origin debut as the man in the middle holding the whistle.
That’s because Peter, 20, stands a pretty good chance of one day refereeing the rugged interstate clash after recently accepting a prestigious National Officiating Scholarship offered by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).
Peter, who is in his final year of a Bachelor of Science (Sport and Exercise Science) degree at USC, was one of only 16 people from across Australia selected from 12 different sporting codes.
His is the only ASC scholarship for rugby league. It includes three trips to Sydney to train with and observe the National Rugby League’s top referees, attend NRL matches and even join his mentors in the video referee’s box.
Peter, who has officiated at Sunshine Coast/Gympie Rugby League matches for the past four years, started refereeing when he was a 13-year-old in Sydney.
He plans to return to Blues’ territory when he finishes his degree, but his enjoyable experiences at the University of the Sunshine Coast are likely to give him a much greater appreciation of the Maroons.“I feel so lucky to have studied at USC,” he said.
“It is a great lifestyle and I feel like I have learnt things here that I wouldn’t have learnt if I had studied elsewhere.
“The classes are so much smaller at USC than other universities, especially the ones in Sydney.
It really let me get to know my tutors and lecturers and I really don’t think I would have been so inspired or motivated anywhere else.” —Claire Bruynius
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University introduces associate degrees
THE University of the Sunshine Coast will this year offer a new pathway to tertiary study by introducing associate degrees in Arts, Business and Science.
These two-year programs provide for guaranteed entry into a full degree program on completion—with full credit for completed subjects—and eligibility to apply for one of 20 Commonwealth Government-funded scholarships.
USC Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said students could begin studying associate degrees in July this year and gain a “stepping stone” to further academic achievement.
Applications for the scholarships, which will be assessed in the same way as equity scholarships, will close on 25 July 2008.
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