The outstanding community engagement initiatives of Queensland Conservatorium staff were formally recognised this week at the 2012 Griffith University Arts, Education and Law General Staff Awards.
Lisa Dart and Jason Budge (both Project Officers for Open Conservatorium) won the Community Engagement Award, while Cameron Hipwell (Technical Manager) received a Highly Commended in the same category.
Lisa and Jason were awarded for their work on the renowned State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP), which gives exceptional secondary school musicians the opportunity to participate in weekend long workshops throughout the State.
Cameron was recognised for his commitment to ensuring the more than 300 performances each year within the Conservatorium are effortlessly managed. This includes the planning and coordination of each event featuring state of the art lighting, sound and set design.
Executive Manager Dr Helen Lancaster said Lisa, Jason and Cameron all acted above and beyond the call of duty in their respective roles.
“Here we have excellent examples of how the community is served by the Con – directly through the education interface and from behind the scenes, the supportive work which isn’t seen,” she said.
“It is also about teamwork – Cameron leads a team of such people, just as Jason and Lisa are part of the Open Con team for SHEP.”
“They represent our many general staff who do not count the cost in making things possible for us,” she said.
Lisa and Jason were nominated by Head of Open Conservatorium Dr Ralph Hultgren.
“Their capacity to go the extra mile and an unassailable good nature in dealing with all the vicissitudes and vagaries involved with such consistent interpersonal activity is remarkable,” he said.