Awards encourage Peter to air his philosophy on life
Published on 18 November, 2010
Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude.
This is the catchphrase of the Excellence in Action Awards and encompasses the life philosophy of two times award winner Peter Barnes.
Nulloo Yumbah Learning Advisor Laurie Armstrong (right) congratulates Peter Barnes on his recent awards.The CQUniversity Nulloo Yumbah (Indigenous centre) student took out the awards for his role in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, as well as his valuable role in further education.
The awards acknowledge and recognise the valuable contribution of people with a disability in the community.
The humble recipient said that, although he appreciated the recognition, he felt he was only being himself.
With most of his family from Woorabinda, Peter has spent time in Adelaide working in the disability sector before moving back near family at the place he calls 'Rockvegas'.
Since returning to the region he has turned his mind towards furthering his education through Nulloo Yumbah's Tertiary Entrance Program (TEP).
He hopes to continue with his life of learning, and also to connect with others to impart a bit of his personal philosophy.
"I want to put a stop to psychological genocide. It frustrates me that people are constantly negative about other people," Peter said.
"I think people should think before stereotyping people and commit to getting to know people. There is a lot to be said for a smile."
Despite spending most of his life in a wheelchair, Peter believes disability comes in many shapes and sizes.
"Ignorance is Australia's biggest disability. And education has a big role to play in stopping the ignorance.
"If we could only imagine what it is like to be someone else."
He praised the Nulloo Yumbah lecturers' ability to connect with students, giving Aboriginal people a pathway into education.
"Education is a lifelong lesson. We are always learning ... it doesn't stop.
"Places like Nulloo Yumbah help bring people together."
Peter said that he paid respect to the Darumbal Nation on whose land CQUniversity is situated in Rockhampton.