Congratulations to Catherine Morton, a social work student who has been working with Sydney Community Services and who has been awarded the Dani Gilroy Memorial Prize for Social Work by the University of Western Sydney.

We met Catherine during her placement from January to June 2018, which was part of her degree in social work, and offered her a part-time role with SCS. Since July 2018 Catherine has been juggling the demanding schedule of a full-time student with that of mother to three lively children plus looking after 40 clients and volunteers in our Community Visitors Service. This service matches friendly volunteers with people either at home or in residential care who are at risk of isolation or who simply would like a little more social interaction.

The Dani Gilroy Memorial Prize is not given lightly but is awarded to a Bachelor of Social Work student who has shown “academic excellence, emerging wisdom and worldliness” during field placement. The recipient must be dedicated to social justice and demonstrate this in their placement or academic work or in broader community involvement. Catherine’s proud family celebrated with her at the award presentation.

“Catherine has strong sense of social justice. It’s no surprise that her award recognises not only her academic achievements but also her contribution to the community of the School of Social Science and Psychology,” said SCS Community Connections Manager, Branka Ivkovic.

“Sydney Community Services recognises and nurtures talented students such as Catherine.  We’re sure she’ll have a very bright future in her chosen field.”

Catherine will graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work at the end of this year.

See more about the Community Visitors Service at www.sydneycs.org/services-for-seniors/community-visitors/