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Home « News & Events « Order of Australia Association Foundation Recognises UNSW Students

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UNSW students recognised for their leadership and service with prizes sponsored by the Order of Australia Association Foundation
12 March 2007

Two UNSW students have been recognized for their leadership and service by the Governor-General, Major General Michael Jeffery AC, CVO, MC (Retd).

At a ceremony in February 2007, Laurie Pearcey (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences) and Johanna Elms (Faculty of Science) were presented with prizes sponsored by the Order of Australia Association Foundation.  The prizes include $40,000 contribution to assist with tertiary education fees and a mentoring relationship with an eminent member of the Order of Australia Foundation.

Laurie Pearcey is enrolled at UNSW in the prestigious Bachelor of International Studies program, specialising in Asian Studies.  In June this year, Laurie will begin a 12-month Overseas Study Program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, working exclusively in Mandarin Chinese.  All students in the Bachelor of International Studies program complete two sessions of study at one of UNSW’s many international partner universities, extending their specialised studies in languages, globalisation studies, development studies, international business, Asian or European studies.

Last year Laurie’s scholarly achievements were recognized when he won the Chinese Bridge Chinese Language Proficiency Competition for university students.  This led to an invitation to co-host an evening at the Sydney Opera House that combined traditional Chinese music and Indigenous Australian culture, a performance later broadcast on Chinese television.

Laurie plans to use part of the prize to fund his Honours research in China on the effectiveness of the civil service reforms of the post-Mao era.  He hopes to work for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in an Australian diplomatic mission in China, or manage Australian aid projects with AusAid.  He recently launched the Australia China Youth Business Council that aims to increase career opportunities for young Australian graduates with skills relevant to China.

The cash component of the prizes awarded to the UNSW students was made possible through funds generously donated by Mr. Frank P. Lowy, AC through the Westfield Foundation.