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Memorial prize honours high achiever
Graduating University of the Sunshine Coast student Nickey Wilson has received the inaugural Anita Pitcher Memorial Prize at an emotional and moving ceremony at USC.
The annual $500 prize was established to honour USC graduate and former staff member Anita Pitcher who died in February this year, aged 39, after a battle with melanoma. 
Anita’s parents Wilfred and Suzane Pitcher and Anita’s daughter Chloe were among the family and friends who attended the special ceremony.
Anita graduated from USC in 2007 with a distinguished academic record for her Bachelor of Business (Marketing). She also won four awards, including an award for the “Outstanding Third Year Graduating Marketing Student”.
Before studying at USC, Anita had made a valuable contribution to the University, having worked in International Relations and in Marketing and Communications.
Much of her career also involved working in events, media and public relations for local councils in Maroochy, Caloundra and Caboolture.
Nickey, 22, of Nambour, said she was delighted to have won the memorial prize which this year was presented to the most outstanding student in the subject Marketing Research Project.
“This is a great way to honour Anita,” she said. “This prize will encourage students to try that little bit harder in their last semester when it gets really tough.”
It is the fourth business prize that Nickey has won during her combined Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business degree at USC, in which she has majored in Public Relations and Marketing.
Nickey is now weighing up her options of starting work with a PR agency in Brisbane, doing her Honours in Public Affairs at USC, or pursuing her long-time goal of working for the Salvation Army.
The Anita Pitcher Memorial Prize was established by four USC graduates – Suzie Burford, Dave Gilbert, Sean Kontrimas and Angie Roberts – who had been classmates with Anita.
USC Alumni Relations Officer Anita Edmonds said the establishment of this prize by Anita Pitcher’s friends demonstrates the important value students place on their time at University.
She said the award has struck a chord in the community, with $10,000 already pledged towards helping the prize be awarded in perpetuity.
— Terry Walsh