Australia Day Awards for staff

February 02 2012

Liz Anderson started helping out in her daughter's Year 3 classroom at Bluewater State School, and although her daughter is now 19, Liz is still dedicated to the school.

Now both a volunteer and teacher aide, Liz's commitment to the students and teachers at Bluewater is being recognised with a Department of Education and Training Australia Day Achievement Award.

As a part-time teacher aide Liz works with special needs students, helping them in the classroom. She also volunteers helping students with their reading, writing, spelling and sight words, and even gives her time to help students with homework outside of school hours.

'There are so many rewarding parts to working with the students - little things that can make a big difference to a child. There was one little boy who I taught to spell Wednesday, and that become his party trick. He was so proud of himself,' Ms Anderson said.

She has been recognised for her many achievements as one of 28 Department of Education and Training employees presented with an Australia Day Achievement Award last month.

Each year the department recognises outstanding staff achievements through the awards. Recipients received an engraved medallion at ceremonies around the state. For the full list of 2012 recipients visit the department's 2012 Achievement Awards webpage.

Several people with links to the department were named in the Australia Day 2012 Honours List, including former director-general Terry Moran AC. Others honoured for their work in Queensland education included long-serving educators Vicki Sykes OAM and Shayne Baker OAM.

The Australia Day Honours provide national recognition for Australians who have made a significant difference in their communities. For a full list of recipients visit the Australia Day Honours 2012 website.