
Hope through love and service
News 23 AprilA message from the Provost Professor Julie Cogin.
18 August 2021
Share
ACU’s newest Olympians have wasted little time while serving quarantine periods in Sydney and Howard Springs in the Northern Territory.
While still feeling the warm satisfaction of achievement at the Games, many student athletes already were meeting course requirements while still in quarantine.
Bronze medallist rower Rowena Meredith’s thoughts have returned to prac for the two Bachelor of Paramedicine units she has on her plate this semester.
For dual Olympian Emma Tonegato, her donga accommodation in Howard Springs doubled as a temporary office where she could perform a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy placement via Zoom.
“I’ve got three subjects and a nine-week placement to go,” the 2016 sevens rugby gold medallist said. “I’m so looking forward to graduating. I’ve got a taste of it now, having done so many placements and I’ve loved them all.
“It’s a really exciting time and I’m confident now I have a career that I’m really passionate about.”
ACU will be represented at the Paralympics by cyclist Paige Greco, wheelchair rugby player Shae Graham, swimmers Brenden Hall and Ellie Cole, and Milly Tapper (table tennis) who also competed at the Olympics.
For others, it’s time to reflect on their achievements and plan ahead.
Taekwondo representative Reba Stewart (Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science) struggled with the isolation of quarantine but has used that time to plan study, organise shifts at the phone store where she works part-time, and plot a return to competition in Europe later this year.
“Now I have a taste of it I want more,” she said.
Meredith is completing two units this semester and is also hopeful of diving back into prac at North Sydney Campus when lockdown restrictions allow it.
“I’m happy to be back with the same cohort I was with last year,” she said. “It will be good to get back to campus.”
The International Olympic Committee this year added the word Together to its motto, “Faster, Higher, Stronger”. A strong sense of unity was for most athletes the lasting memory from Tokyo, and it’s also that feeling of connection that nourishes student wellbeing at university.
ACU’s Elite Athlete and Performer Program (EAPP) supports its members in pursuit of success in both their academic and active goals.
Competing in her first Olympics, current student Rowena Meredith (Bachelor of Paramedicine – North Sydney) secured a bronze medal in the Women’s Quadruple Scull.
Defending Olympic Champion Emma Tonegato (Bachelor of Occupational Therapy) returned to the field with the Australian Rugby Sevens team where they placed fifth.
Reba Stewart (Bachelor of Psychological Science/ Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science – Melbourne) made her Olympic debut (Round of 16) in Taekwondo.
Rachael Lynch (Bachelor of Nursing, 2009) was inducted into Olympians for Life for her outstanding contribution to society, giving back to communities and fighting COVID-19. Rachael and the Hockeyroos placed fifth in Tokyo, with fellow alumni and ACU Sport staff member Katie Allen (Bachelor of Psychological Science, 2017) guiding the team as the assistant coach.
Melissa Tapper (Bachelor of Exercise Science, 2010) is the only Australian to compete at the Olympics and the Paralympics in the same year. Melissa placed ninth in both the Mixed Doubles and the Women’s Team event for Table Tennis at the Olympics.
Elle Armit (Graduate Certificate in Religious Education, 2019) made her Olympic debut with the women’s Water Polo team, placing fifth.
Competing in her third Olympics, Anabelle Smith (Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, 2019) was fourteenth in the 3m Springboard.
Paul Adams (Bachelor of Nursing, 2015) was twenty-first in the Men’s Skeet at his second Olympics. Paul hopes to return to ACU to commence a Bachelor of Physiotherapy.
A message from the Provost Professor Julie Cogin.
Join us for an online session designed to help you get the most out of EndNote when working on your thesis or publications.
Include an additional survey item in the Student Evaluation of Learning and Teaching (SELT) survey for units that are offered in Semester 1 (202530) and Professional Term 3 (202515).
Curious about how ACU is turning its equity commitments into real-world impact? Explore how teams across the university are creating meaningful change through widening participation projects.
The Digest from Academic Board meeting 01/2025, held on 19 February 2025, is now available.
All ACU staff and students are invited to a commemorative prayer service at your local campus ahead of Anzac Day. Please join us at your local campus to remember and honour our service men and women w...
As we move towards the celebration of Easter, Pope Francis reminds us of the meaning and joy of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Register to attend the first Aquero Lecture of 2025.
A message from the Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Woods.
As ACU positions itself as a leading university in human flourishing, it is important to consider the value of community-engaged practices. The ACU and DePaul conference provides a perfect opportunity...
Please be aware of the following changes to payroll processing dates next week.
As reported in various news outlets, a recent cyber incident has impacted a number of Australian Superannuation funds. UniSuper has confirmed that they are not impacted by the incident but remain vigi...
Advance your career in teaching and learning with the Graduate Certificate in Higher Education. Enrol by 14 April 2025 to get started in Professional Term 4.
Applications for the 2025 Teaching Development Grants and Citations and Awards programs open soon. Register for an information session to learn how to be recognised for your contributions to teaching ...
ACU Library’s Research Engagement team is running their Research Essentials skills sessions again in 2025. Metrics Week 1 aims to introduce you to the types of metrics you can use in grant application...
A message from Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) Professor Abid Khan: ACU is integrating our research excellence within a comprehensive framework focused on human flourishing.
Thank you to everyone within our ACU community who engaged with Respect at Uni Week 2025. This year we focused on Shining a Light on Respect.
The Student Administration teams have been extremely active during the first quarter of 2025.
ServiceNow will now be used for receiving and referring complaints, as well as communicating with stakeholders regarding complaints and feedback received. Learn more about this and the recent changes ...
Student Communications (MER) compiles, edits and sends a monthly Student News and Events bulletin. This bulletin is sent to all students, nationally, and includes a broad cross-section of news, announ...
Visit Service Central to access Corporate Services.