Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Community Engagement - 2006

The inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Community Engagement for 2006 was awarded to Owen Curtis from the School of Health Sciences in the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences.

Citation for Owen Curtis

Owen Curtis receives this inaugural award for his significant and sustained contribution to community engagement over a 15 year period. He has developed what has been described as a ”living laboratory” for staff and students of the School of Health Sciences which have brought mutual benefits for the University and the community alike.

Owen has been instrumental in establishing close ties with strategic allies within the region and beyond and through these connections have supported student involvement in a wide range of exercise intervention and rehabilitation programs. Such programs have resulted in increased health and wellbeing for indigenous populations and the elderly, in particular, and have helped to ensure that our graduates are skilled, competent and responsive to local needs and issues.

The colleagues who nominated Owen for this award listed many examples of initiatives that he has contributed to which have brought real and tangible benefits for the community. While these are too numerous to mention here, some of the highlights include:

• The introduction of an exercise intervention program at Port Kembla Hospital – which has now developed into a stand alone department within the hospital;
• Development of the Exercise Science and Rehabilitation Clinic on campus which provides the opportunity for the community to access University staff and student skills;
• Development of the Workfit Model at the Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital;
• Development of Self Management Education Camps for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people with Diabetes in conjunction with the Aboriginal Medical Service; and
• Delivery of the exercise component of the Care for the Carers Program sponsored through NSW Health (with the support of his students).

His colleagues also speak of the tireless and self-effacing manner in which he has developed and implemented the programs noted above.

Finally, as a testimony to his community engagement, Owen has been able to attract grants and scholarships from community groups and foundations to support student involvement in these programs over many years.

The respect afforded Owen as a result of his efforts is evident in the ready access he has to the medical and allied health professions, to the indigenous populations, and to those involved in aged care. It is also reflected in this award.

Related Links:

• About the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Community Engagement
• Vice-Chancellor's Awards page
• Ethel Hayton Award