Quiet achievers honoured

Quiet achievers have been deservedly recognised at the inaugural ACU Student Veteran Impact Awards.

General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retd) was among the speakers at the Hilton Brisbane event, and he spoke with pride of the achievements made by the award recipients and the dozens of student veterans who have embraced the program.

Typically reluctant to attract attention, the veterans were honoured both for their academic performances and significant contributions made to the university and wider community.

Among the recipients was former armoured crewman Ryan Hyde who joined the army 15 years ago after leaving high school at the end of Year 10.

“You can imagine the thought of university study made me really apprehensive,” the Bachelor of Paramedicine student said.

“That’s where the support of ACU really helped. I did the Veteran Transition Program and that was an amazing opportunity to transition back to study and to understand the expectations."

Vice-Chancellor Professor Zlatko Skrbis, Executive Dean of Health Sciences Professor Suzanne Chambers and Associate Vice-Chancellor Professor Jim Nyland were among those who addressed the staff, students and their families.

Bachelor of High Performance Sport student Kelly O’Leary and Bachelor of Education (Primary) student Daniel Hema spoke on behalf of the student veterans.

The awards recognise continuing and graduating student veterans who make significant contributions to the university and wider community.

Nominees can also be recognised for community engagement such as SES, volunteer, fire rescue, homelessness support or social improvement programs.

Student Veteran Impact Awards recipients

2021 Graduating

• Nicholas Stanford
• Kelly O’Leary

2021 Continuing

• Ryan Hyde
• Krystal Brown

2020 Continuing

• Daniel Hema
• Michael McLaughlin
• Aaron Cornwall

Certificate of recognition 2021

• Shaun Leonard
• Keith Behrendorff