Tonight we had the pleasure of presenting, for the third time, the Glen Eden Award for Excellence in Mental Health Studies. The awardee this year is Stella Wilson.
Guest tonight included Stella’s Family, Partner Louis El-Sheikh, Rubii and Pasquo El-Sheikh. University SA’s Regional Manager Paul Havelberg and Lecturer Cheryl Gaston.
This is now the third year the Club has awarded this prestigious prize and each year the student receiving it has been a worthy recipient. It was indeed an honour again, to see this award go to such a deserving recipient.
This is now the third year the Club has awarded this prestigious prize and each year the student receiving it has been a worthy recipient. It was indeed an honour again, to see this award go to such a deserving recipient.
(Pictured above are President Mic presenting the award to Stella
and Stella's family, Uni SA's Regional Manager Paul Havelberg, lecturer Sheryl Gaston and President Mic)
and Stella's family, Uni SA's Regional Manager Paul Havelberg, lecturer Sheryl Gaston and President Mic)
The evening started with President Mic giving us the background and relevance of the Award. In 2012 following a club visioning session, the members recognized the need to do something in the community to raise awareness and reduce stigma around Mental Health. Local Projects included the Packages of Hope, which we are still providing to the Mental Health unit. The Polka Dot Ball. The Money Raised from the ball and with a grant from the Rotary Foundation the Club was able to sponsor three Nursing/Social Workers to do their Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health. The Members of the Club then decided to award a student with a prize, who in the eyes of the University excelled in their studies. The Award is named after Past District Governor Glen Eden. Glen is a valued member of the RC of Whyalla and has been for the past 53 years.
Paul Havelberg spoke about the fantastic partnership the Club has with the University, acknowledging the number of projects we have worked on together and Glen Eden and family. He outlined the criteria required for the award and that it is the teaching staff who nominate the student. This week the Rotary Club of Whyalla Science Experience is on. Paul has invited Club members to attend the Presentations on Thursday at the University.
University Lecturer Cheryl Gaston told us a little bit about the history of Stella's journey. How hard she has worked in her studies first as an Enrolled Nurse then as a Registered Nurse. Stella would always ask for placement at the Mental Health Unit. All of this and bringing up her family.
After being presented with her Certificate and her $500 cheque, Stella was quite overwhelmed but went on to give us an insight into how she got to where she is today. Nursing is her passion especially mental health, she has finished her Degree in Nursing and is currently working in the Mental Health Unit and hopes after a year she will go on to do further study in mental health. Stella was humbled but happy with the recognition of the Glen Eden Award.