A lifetime of achievements in a few years

USQ Fraser Coast lecturer Dr Bonnie Hoi Yin Yim

Next month Dr Bonnie Hoi Yin Yim celebrates her first anniversary with USQ as an Early Childhood Education lecturer.

But the list of her achievements from the past 12 months looks more the accomplishments from a life-time of work.

Dr Yim is currently working on a number of research projects and has been involved in many community and professional development events. She is the research leader of the Problem-Focussed Research Grant-funded Sunny and Healthy: Skin cancer prevention curriculum for children in regional Queensland.

She is also undertaking a solo project to examine children’s engagement in musical activities and on an art program connecting artists with young children called ‘Little Skippers’.

During the past year Dr Yim has been involved with activities for the Under Eights Week Fun in the Park day, Sharing of Reggio Emilia Experiences seminar, Crackle and Pop workshop, Queensland Children’s Week, Protecting Children from Abuse and Neglect seminar and the Early Childhood and Primary Professionals in Developing Resilience in Young Children seminar.

Hong Kong-born Dr Yim did her undergraduate degree in Education majoring in Music History in the late nineties.

She followed up with a Masters in Philosophy majoring in Musicology, and then did a post graduate Diploma in Education.

'In 2001 I started as a teachers’ trainer, teaching pre-service and in-service teachers,” Dr Yim said.

'I worked at two tertiary institutions there and also worked as a consultant for early childhood television programming.'

Dr Yim loved her work in Hong Kong but decided to spread her wings when it came to doing her PhD.

She was offered candidature at several Australian and American universities.

To make her decision easier she travelled to each of the cities to get a feel for the people and places.

'I loved Adelaide, so chose the University of South Australia,' she said.

'It was very different from Hong Kong in its living style and countryside. It has lots of beautiful beaches and coffee shops.'

So in 2005 she left her home behind and moved to her new country.

'The longer I stayed in Adelaide, the more I loved it.

'The people there are beautiful and I made lots of friends. I grew to love having coffee too.'

After completing her PhD it was time to move on again.

She received job offers from around the country, and this time chose to move to Queensland to work in the Education Faculty at USQ Fraser Coast.

'I have made lots of friends in Hervey Bay,' she said.

'But most importantly the region has many excellent professionals in early childhood, and the team here at USQ Fraser Coast is fantastic and very encouraging.

'Our students are eager to learn and always want to know more about the importance of early childhood education before going into the field.'
Dr Yim said her own love of the profession stemmed from the happiness of children.

'I love working with children because they are so happy and it’s so important to lay strong foundations to support their future development,” she said.

'They are also the leaders of our future.'

Contact Details:
Katrina Corcoran, USQ Media, +61 7 4194 3167