Teacher Elizabeth Handley was selected as a finalist in the Australian of the Year awards but is already a winner in the eyes of the children of Charleville.
The University of Southern Queensland graduate and educator at the special education centre at Charleville State School was selected as a Queensland Local Hero finalist out of 427 state nominees.
While she wasn’t selected as the overall Queensland finalist, Miss Handley said it was very exciting and humbling to be in the running.
“There are some really amazing and inspirational people in the running for the Australian of the Year awards,” she said.
“There were thousands of nominees nation-wide for just four categories (Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia’s Local Hero).”
Miss Handley is dedicated to improving the lives of children with disabilities and runs programs that help students with their motor skills, health, hygiene and independent life skills.
She is currently developing a careers education program to assist students in their career choices, as well as running her established Top Up Breakfast program to provide students with healthy breakfasts.
Miss Handley didn’t let losing her home and special education centre during severe flooding a few years ago get in the way of her resolve.
“Even though the flooding was a traumatic event for myself and the people of Charleville, it really showed just how strong this community is,” she said.
“Everyone pulled together and worked at rebuilding the town.”
Miss Handley said she saw a serious need for more special education teachers while studying a Bachelor of Primary and Middle Education (major in Special Ed) at USQ.
“While I was doing my teaching prac I saw a big gap in the need for special education teachers,” she said.
“While it does come with its challenges, it’s been a very rewarding experience.”
Miss Handley has also applied to study a Graduate Degree in Autism Studies to improve her skills.
The 2013 Australian of the Year winners were announced at an award ceremony in Canberra at the weekend.
More information on the finalists, including Miss Handley, is available at
www.australianoftheyear.org.au
Media contact:
Callum Johnson, email: callum.johnson@usq.edu.au, Phone: 07 4631 1856
Jim Campbell, email: jim.campbell@usq.edu.au, Phone: 07 4631 2977.
Tell a friend!
