University success in 2013 Young Achievers

Kate Gunn
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Monday, 18 March 2013

University of Adelaide students, graduates and staff dominated the 2013 Channel 9 Young Achiever Awards.

Psychology PhD student Kate Gunn won the prestigious Premier's Young Achiever of the Year Award for South Australia as well as the Rural Doctors Workforce Agency Rural Health Award.

Six other members of the University of Adelaide community won awards, winning a total of seven out of 10 categories.

Kate Gunn is winner of the Young Achiever of the Year and the Rural Doctors Workforce Agency Rural Health Award.

Kate, 27 of Leabrook, is a Psychology PhD student with a keen interest in rural mental health. She received first class Honours at the University of Adelaide for her thesis on farmers' stress and coping during drought. She enlisted assistance from the SA Farmers Federation obtaining data from 300 farmers. Her work has been published in the Parliamentary Library and International Journal of Rural and Remote Health. Kate has also conducted research on the emotional, social and practical needs of rural cancer patients. She worked with nine passionate participants to develop an 84-page, Country Cancer Support services information website.

Daniel Spencer, Bachelor of Arts student, is winner of the Flinders Ports Environment Award.

Daniel, 22 of Craigburn Farm, was instrumental in starting a school environmental group in year 12 which had a strong focus on climate change. The group ran events, fundraisers and organised a climate change awareness week. He then joined the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and became part of a delegation that attended the 2010 United Nations climate talks in Mexico. Daniel is the Repower Port Augusta Alliance campaigner and last year took part in the 'Walk for Solar', with 100 people walking 330km from Port Augusta to Adelaide to raise awareness.

Dr Stephen Warren-Smith, ARC Super Science Fellow in the School of Chemistry and Physics and the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, is winner of the University of Adelaide Faculty of Sciences, Science and Technology Award.

Stephen, 28 of Kurralta Park completed his PhD at the University of Adelaide in 2010. His project investigated microstructured optical fibre sensors for corrosion sensing of aircraft. His work has won numerous awards and he has presented and published across the world. Following his PhD, Stephen cycled from Australia to Sweden via the length of Africa on a recumbent tricycle to promote adventure and responsible risk-taking to Scouts and youth in Australia and around the world. On his return he began an Australian Research Council Super Science Fellowship, investigating novel optical fibre sensing platforms for women's health.

Edwin Kemp Attrill, University of Adelaide Theatre Guild Artistic Director, is winner of the Proteus Career Leadership Award.

Edwin, 23 of Adelaide, is Founder and former Artistic Director of ActNow Theatre. Edwin has worked as a tutor, director and producer for a number of theatres including Brink and Vitalstatistix, Urban Myth Theatre of Youth, No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability, and for the Magill/Cavan Youth Detention Centre. He is Artistic Director of the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild and also works with high schools and community groups. Edwin was awarded '2008 Best Youth Director' and has directed for the Adelaide Fringe, studied overseas and has been described as the "next big innovator in SA theatre".

Quentin Angus, Music (Hons) graduate, is winner of the Coffee Club Arts Award.

Quentin, 25 of Eden Valley, graduated with a Masters in Jazz Performance from the Purchase College Conservatory of Music in New York. For the past two years he has performed with the Quentin Angus Quintet at venues around New York. This led to a debut CD 'Retrieval Structure' and two European Tours in 2011 and 2012. He has played at Festivals across Europe and the US and has received many local and international Awards. Quentin plans to stay in New York in 2013 to advance his skills and explore new opportunities and collaborations. Quentin's long term goal is to be a professional, internationally acclaimed jazz guitarist.

Annette Edmondson, Health Sciences student, is winner of the Worldwide Online Printing Sports Award.

Annette, 21 of Stirling, has represented Australia in cycling for many years with major achievements including a Gold Medal in 2007 at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival. She was crowned Champion of Champions at the 2008 and 2009 Australian Track Titles and two silver medals at the 2012 World Championships in the Team Pursuits. Annette also won a bronze medal in the Women's Omnium at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Annette is studying Health Sciences at the University of Adelaide and assists with a bicycle education training program for young children and is a Youth Ambassador for Reconciliation SA.

Daniel Kiley, Law and Mathematical and Computer Sciences graduate, is winner of the Hostworks Online Achievement Award.

Daniel, 25 of Seaton, is a solicitor in the Intellectual Property, Competition and Media team at Kelly and Co Lawyers as well as an app developer. Daniel's mobile phone applications have been downloaded over 30,000 times and include apps to make legal information available "on the go". The apps score an average rating in the AppStore of 4.5 stars. One of his most prominent applications provides information such as court listing times and contact details for firms, barristers and legal institutions. Daniel also provides advice to technology companies and other organisations in respect to online issues.

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