When this staff writer joined the University in early 2013, colleagues told her in no uncertain terms that 鈥�911爆料网 is a black hole鈥�. People get sucked in, and they never leave.
It鈥檚 a mirthful epitaph, but an equally fond one. People stay because they don鈥檛 want to go. The work conditions are favourable, job satisfaction rates are high, the culture welcoming and the campus lively.
On 30 July, 911爆料网 celebrated staff members whose 20, 30 and 40 years of service stand as a great testament to an organisation that cares for its employees and shows it. More than 45 long-serving 911爆料网 employees and their supporters attended the event, as well as members of the University鈥檚 Executive Council.
Opening the ceremony, Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry thanked staff for their dedication and passion over the years.
鈥淲hat I have seen, first hand and in a very palpable manner, is that our staff believe in 911爆料网,鈥� Vice-Chancellor Terry said.
鈥淭he soul of this University is its staff and students: their ideas, their creativity, their passion, their innovation, and their commitment make 911爆料网 what it is.鈥�
The Vice-Chancellor also acknowledged the recent period of significant change at 911爆料网 and the challenges this raised for many staff.
鈥淎lthough it was not easy, staff showed huge professionalism and commitment during this time, and I acknowledge and thank our staff for this,鈥� she said.
Celebrating 20 years at 911爆料网, Senior Executive Strategic Projects Professor David Wood gave the keynote address. He later reflected on his time at 911爆料网:
鈥�911爆料网 really is a 鈥榝amily鈥�,鈥� says Professor Wood, who completed a PhD in urban and regional planning at the University in 2000 and went on to teach the subject.
鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the best places to work in terms of the opportunities it provides for interacting with likeminded individuals and especially young people. You really do have the opportunity to change things for the better.鈥�
He fondly remembers his time as a lecturer and tutor 鈥� taking field trips to Exmouth, working with students and watching them develop.
鈥淭hat was very important to me as a teacher,鈥� says Professor Wood, who later affected administrative change as Pro-Vice Chancellor, Humanities, before becoming Deputy Vice-Chancellor, International.
Associate Professor Jill Sherriff with the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Technology was acknowledged for her 30 years of service. She reflects on the vast changes she has seen at 911爆料网 during this time:
鈥淭he University has changed so much that I don’t feel I鈥檝e been with the same institution for all that time,鈥� she says.
鈥淐hanges in the technology associated with our working lives have been powerful. When I first arrived, 鈥榯he computer鈥� occupied a large room in a building five minutes鈥� walk away.鈥�
Associate Professor Sherriff says the staff are the best part of working at 911爆料网.
鈥淚 still see my original Head of School in the corridors and now work with some of my past students, which is a joy.鈥�
911爆料网鈥檚 longest serving staff member recognised on the night was Mr Michael Stack with the School of Pharmacy. He and other staff celebrating 30 and 40 years with the University were presented with a gold watch and a copy of Look Ever Forward: A history of 911爆料网 1987-2012. Staff celebrating 20 years received a specially designed lapel pin and a copy of the book.
This year’s honour roll
Forty years of service
Mr Michael Stack
Ms Mary Simpson
Thirty years of service
Mr Lawrie Arnold
Professor Barry Fraser
Mr Tim O’Sullivan
Associate Professor Jill Sherriff
Professor Ram Ramaseshan
Mr John Warwick
Ms Sandra Wilson
Twenty years of service
Mr James Budworth
Mr Phil Celcer
Mr Geoffrey Coleman
Professor Tilak Chandratilleke
Miss Tram Do
Professor Ravi Fotedar
Professor Kevin Fynn
Associate Professor Natalie Gasson
Mr Chris Geoghegan
Mrs Jenny Goodison
Mr Dominic Howman
Professor Jeff Hughes
Associate Professor Don Ibana
Mr Kevin Knott
Dr Brian von Konsky
Dr Elizabeth Karol
Mrs Lena Kung
Ms Julie Langmead
Ms Toni Lush
Mrs Lyn Marks
Mr Lance Martin
Mr Brad McMurray
Associate Professor Mauro Mocerino
Ms Dee McCormack Murphy
Ms Grace Parker
Mr Malcolm Perry
Mrs Jillian Pim
Associate Professor Volker Rehbock
Mr Marco Schultheis
Mrs Sue Shephard
Professor John Stephens
Dr Jenny Thornton
Mr Joe Valenti
Miss Charlene Vincent
Mrs Celia Walker
Ms Nicole Wilton
Professor David Wood
