![](/-/media/feature/micrositesnewsandevents/staffnews/suzanne-chambers-460px.jpg)
Innovation in practice
News 24 JulyA message from Executive Dean of Health Sciences Professor Suzanne Chambers: Winter has so far been a season of future-thinking and action for the Faculty of Health Sciences.
16 December 2020
Share
Much-loved staff member Mary Evripidou is embarking on a new journey after dedicating 47 years of her life to ACU.
On Christmas Eve, Mary will commence annual leave and then long service leave, with a predicted retirement date of 1 March 2022 – which will mark 48 years of service.
Mary has positively affected many lives at the university in her lengthy career, which she started as a cleaner at De La Salle Catholic College in Castle Hill, Sydney (which was incorporated into ACU as part of the amalgamation) and will finish as Manager, Learning and Teaching Centre.
We shared some of Mary’s story in early 2019, when she celebrated 45 years with ACU. Now, Mary has taken the opportunity to share some personal reflections.
“It’s not an easy assignment for me, as I do not like talking about myself,” she says. “I am, however, very proud of my tenure at ACU and I wanted to share my journey and say thank you.”
Mary began her relationship with what is now known as Australian Catholic University in January 1974, because she wanted to give her young children the best life possible.
“I had three children under three and, although I was a very young mum, they were some of the best years of my life,” she recalls.
She applied for a job close to home working as a cleaner during the evenings, and she cared for her children during the day.
“It meant that I had to overcome one of my greatest fears: being alone in the dark. But I had nobody to help me with my children, so it seemed the only way.
“Being a working mum has many challenges, and I made many compromises as I did my best to balance motherhood with my work.”
Mary’s commitment and loyalty to ACU is admirable. For her entire adult life, she has worked full time and, for 25 years, worked seven days a week – dedicating Monday to Friday to ACU.
“My parents left the only life they had ever known as migrants to give me a better life, and I wanted to do the same [for my children],” she explains.
“I was 12 when my feet hit Australian shores from the beautiful Mediterranean island of Cyprus. I couldn’t speak English and I was in a foreign place far from home. Those times never leave you – but I was blessed. I had wonderful, loving parents with an incredible work ethic as my role models.
“During my time at ACU I have lost my parents, lost a teenage child after a long cancer battle, fought my own cancer battle and welcomed a grandchild. Even when breathing seemed impossible, I was always dedicated to my work inspired by my parents’ life journey.”
It is with great pride that Mary leaves ACU with over two years of accrued personal leave, after pouring so much care and energy into her work.
“I have held many different roles in which I strived to do my best, and I have met some of my dearest friends through my time at ACU. I have also sadly lost a few very special colleagues who I miss terribly but whose love and friendship remain with me.
“Over the years, I have experienced highlights and challenges in my career, but for now I am focusing on the highlights. The challenges are part of any journey and I am grateful that my determination – and, as my daughter says, my ‘stubbornness’ – enabled me to remain a committed employee at ACU, which has been such an important part of my life.”
Mary thanks everyone who has contributed positively to her work life: “You have sustained me, and I am so grateful to every one of you.”
Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Greg Craven shares his appreciation for all Mary has done for the university and our community.
“Mary, we are all proud of your achievements at ACU,” Professor Craven says. “You have served this university with dedication and commitment over 47 years. You will be missed by many.
“May you look back fondly on your time and ACU and know that many of us will be thinking of you.”
Thank you for all you have done, Mary, and we wish you well on your new journey.
A message from Executive Dean of Health Sciences Professor Suzanne Chambers: Winter has so far been a season of future-thinking and action for the Faculty of Health Sciences.
From Monday 22 July to Friday 9 August, Service Central will be available for extended hours to support staff.
A message from Vice President Father Anthony Casamento csma: From 5 – 9 August we will celebrate Mission Week across our campuses. This is an opportunity for us to come together as a community to cele...
Are you going to be a grandparent soon? Did you know ACU offers personal leave for staff to care for their child or grandchild after birth or adoption?
Discover the learning and career development opportunities that are available online, including the brand-new leadership development program, 'The Edge Series'.
Join ASCILITE and become a member of one of Australasia’s most vibrant professional technology enhanced learning communities, with more than 2200 members from tertiary institutions across Australia an...
Phones will be removed from all classrooms over the mid-semester break, from 23 September to 27 September.
Include an additional survey item in the Student Evaluation of Learning and Teaching (SELT) survey for units that are offered in Professional Term 5 (202455).
Australia’s first five-time diving Olympian, a Kiwi gymnast and the woman who taught actor Chris Hemsworth to row will be among 15 ACU students and alumni to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Para...
A message from acting Executive Dean of Theology and Philosophy Associate Professor Richard Colledge: Recently, the faculty has hosted opportunities for reflection on the possibilities for reconcilia...
Are you on your parenthood journey? A practical guide is now available to support staff, and their supervisors, through the stages of becoming a parent and transitioning back to work.
Embark on an exhilarating journey into the mysterious world of enrolments. Register to attend an enrolment information session for Semester 2, 2024.
Join upcoming online workshops in preparation for Semester 2. Secure your spot today to learn how you can utilise Canvas and its features to enhance your teaching practices.
A limitless professional horizon awaits ACU students after its three IT programs were awarded certification by the nation’s most trustworthy player in the tech sector, the Australian Computer Society.
Following evaluation and voting by a panel of ACU judges, Co-Lab is delighted to announce Thomas Clark and Xavier Chalkley as the winners of the $1000 prize for the ACU Co-Lab Social Enterprise Pitch ...
ACU Library staff will participate in professional development activities on Thursday 18 July. While away from their usual posts, they'll be working together across three locations to plan our future ...
Applications for 2024 Teaching Development Grants, Citations and Awards are open. Explore guidelines and resources to enhance your teaching project’s impact or gain recognition for your contributions.
As we sit in this small window of the winter break gearing up for Semester 2, it's important to recognise that not everyone experiences this period as downtime. For many, workloads and busy lifestyles...
This week is NAIDOC Week, an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
ACU staff who are also members with UniSuper can now access free expert medical advice and services to support their health and wellbeing through MetLife 360Health.
Visit Service Central to access Corporate Services.