CQU Mackay annual prizes ceremony attracts large crowd of well-wishers
Published on 15 July, 2004
Over 60 family and friends attended CQU Mackay’s Prizes Ceremony recently.
The annual event recognises the exceptional achievements of students across the five faculties.
Acting Head of Campus Bruce Knight believed the Prizes Ceremony was an important part of the academic year.
“Not only do they allow us the opportunity to celebrate the tremendous achievements of our students, but to recognise the importance of the CQU Mackay Campus to this community, the commitment and generosity of prize donors and the excellence of staff and students at the university,” he said.
Second-year Bachelor of Learning Management student Anthony Schonfeld was the first winner of the David Falknau Memorial Prize. The prize was awarded to the second-year BLM Mackay student who demonstrated technological competence and innovation in first and second year BLM courses. The award honours the late David Falknau, who was diagnosed with cancer in January. After a courageous battle David passed away on April 12. David’s passion was technology, an industry he had excelled in for over 30 years, being a newspaper hand compositor by trade. He completed a third of his education degree.
Robyn Falknau said it was wonderful to honour her late husband’s enthusiasm for teaching.
“David was always one for being eager to pass on and share whatever knowledge he had learned to others, and he, himself, always wanted to learn and devour new techniques and information,” she said.
“Although his career path had been set a long time ago, his real desire was to become a teacher, as he believed he could make a difference to children’s education.”.
David had four children of his own, including one with a learning disability.
Mrs Falknau said he knew the importance of being an educator and the impact they have on a child’s life.
Photo: Robyn Falknau celebrates her late husband’s commitment to education by presenting the David Falknau Memorial Prize to second-year Bachelor of Learning Management student Anthony Schonfeld.
Photo: CQU Mackay’s Associate Professor Bruce Knight (right) celebrates the achievements of the students at the recent Prizes Ceremony.