The University's 2018 Professional Staff Award recipients, front from left, Dr Pascal Sirguey, Claire Gallop, Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne, Recreation Services Manager Daniel Porter, and Rebecca Kurtovich and Sophie Ehlers, both of Recreation Services. Back row, from left, Recreational Services staff Ashley Petterson, Josh Policarpio, Rodney Martin, Christine MacDonell and Liz Campbell. Photos: Sharron Bennett.
The University's first award ceremony for 2019 was held in January, recognising exceptional performance by staff and, for the first time, excellence in health and safety.
Claire Gallop, Senior Manager Client Services based in the Faculty of Dentistry, won the Award for Exceptional Performance by Professional Staff (previously the General Staff Award), the inaugural Excellence in Health and Safety (team) award went to Recreation Services, and Dr Pascal Sirgeuy, Senior Lecturer in the School of Surveying, received the Excellence in Health and Safety (individual) award. Anne Vernall, Administrator Client Services in the Department of Medicine, in Christchurch, received her award for Excellence in Health and Safety last year.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne says the awards were a great way to “kick off the year by celebrating success”.
She notes the important role professional staff played in the University.
“First and foremost I want to acknowledge the huge amount of support provided … by professional staff. My own teaching and research was enhanced by professional staff and [the University] is heavily committed to providing an award that recognises that work.”
Claire Gallop.
Claire Gallop, Exceptional Performance by Professional Staff
Gallop received her award under the categories “exceptional leadership in a challenging situation,” during a period of significant change at the Faculty of Dentistry, and “exceptional service to the University community”.
She was recognised for her positive leadership, empathy, open-door policy, support, vision, values, skills training and organisation of workshops.
Ms Gallop says receiving the award was extremely humbling.
"I was incredibly honoured that my colleagues took the time to nominate me and I was completely surprised that I won. It is fair to say that I am a little unorthodox in how I approach my role and yet I have received so much support.
"I am fortunate to work with a fantastic team of Client Services and Clinics Administrators as well as Faculty of Dentistry staff who are doing great work under challenging circumstances. I have had the opportunity to work with excellent Academic Leaders who are transforming the Faculty and I have been supported by an amazing line-manager (thanks Andrea). I think that this award is a reflection on all the members of this team rather than me in particular and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to play a small part in the changes occurring in the Faculty."
Recreation Services, Excellence in Health and Safety (Team)
The Recreation Services team was awarded for “making substantial change” and for “sustained excellence” in health and safety.
The team was recognised for a range of initiatives, including an investigation and changes made surrounding injuries in women's rugby, installing defibrillators, the purchase of locator beacons for students, and ongoing improvements to processes and equipment.
Dr Pascal Sirguey, Excellence in Health and Safety (Individual)
Dr Sirguey received his award after developing a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Operations manual.
Doing so required him to become familiar with rules, regulations and policies surrounding international Civil Aviation Organisation standards and the CAA Act 1990, and he also passed courses in radio telephony, air law and navigation.
Anne Vernall, Excellence in Health and Safety (member of the wider Health and Safety team)
Anne Vernall was awarded for “Finding and implementing new ways to get people involved with health and safety” and “sustained excellence in compliance”.
She was recognised for her efficiency and currency with training, staff and student well-being, fire warden duties, and involvement in post-earthquake initiatives.