2021 Award Winners

Lynette (Lyn) Mackay (pictured right) has been a volunteer at the Urrbrae House Historic Precinct since 1996. She has held various roles such as President of the Friends of Urrbrae House, a tour guide and performing the role of Mrs Waite in the Schools Program. She is a role model to other volunteers and a wonderful ambassador for the University and Urrbrae House.

Lyn’s ability to welcome and foster confidence in other volunteers has had a significant impact on the longevity of these programs. Perhaps even more importantly, her model behaviour, nurturing manner and commitment helps other volunteers feel inspired and supported. 

Lyn has fostered understanding of the significant history of Urrbrae House, the Waite Bequest and the University. Through her long-term commitment, she has developed a deep historical knowledge which contributes to the richness of our public engagement. Lyn has always strongly promoted the long-term benefits of philanthropy for Urrbrae House and the University.
 

Tyson Blanco is a passionate member and President of the Adelaide University Touch Football Club, having volunteered as a committee member since 2017 and coach since 2018. 

The Touch Club was one of only a handful of Adelaide University Sports Clubs to increase their membership during COVID-19, which is a wonderful achievement. Tyson juggles his volunteering commitment with his studies as a Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting and Marketing student at the University. 

In 2020 Touch Football was added as a sport to the SA Challenge. Tyson played a pivotal role in this taking place, initially by campaigning for the inclusion of the sport on the roster, then subsequently assisting in the management of the event and recruitment of players not just for the University of Adelaide, but across all three South Australian universities. 

Tyson is a passionate and active member of the club and this shows through his contribution in regularly assisting with events, such as O’Week and the School Holiday Program. He also played a role in providing valuable feedback as part of the recent AU Sport rebranding project.

Patrick O’Connor is an Associate Professor with the Centre for Global Food and Resources. For 40 years Patrick has been a committed volunteer in the Cystic Fibrosis Community. He began volunteering with the South Australian branch in 1982 as children’s camp fundraiser, organiser and leader from the year 2000. 

Patrick was also Director of Cystic Fibrosis South Australia for five years and served as President for a further five years. He then brought his exceptional skills and experience to Cystic Fibrosis Australia and the Research Trust.

Patrick’s volunteering roles have evolved over the years to include fundraising, leading children’s recreational camps, governance, leadership, strategy and research. What an impressive commitment – lending his time and energy over 40 years for such an important cause.

In response to the global pandemic and international border closures, the English Language Centre’s Intercultural Program and its volunteers moved to supporting students online from early 2020. As we all appreciate, the impacts of COVID-19 meant there was a sudden need to change how we operate, but the English Language Centre confronted those challenges to ensure students and Intercultural Volunteers felt connected no matter where they were physically located.   

In 2021, the English Language Centre volunteers ran 100 online events, which included O chat, Cross-cultural Conversations and social events. They also rolled out an exciting new initiative ‘Well-being Live Tours,’ which are virtual live streamed tours of the University of Adelaide’s campus and iconic places around Adelaide – forging connections and engagement. Their creativity in bringing the experience of campus life to people offshore was wonderful to see. 

The impact of this program has included enhanced independent learning, relationship building and creating a sense of belonging and well-being in challenging times.