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A scholarship set up by the Mining and Resources Training Association (MARCSTA) is providing students of Curtin University’s Bachelor of Science (Health and Safety) with the chance to have all their course fees paid for the duration of the degree.
Janaya Patterson, 34, who graduated from the three-year course in February, is the second recipient of the $50,000 scholarship.
The Jim Torlach Scholarship, established by the Mining and Resources Training Association (MARCSTA), also offers the successful awardees with rare practical employment opportunities in the mining industry. It is named in memory of James (Jim) Milne Torlach (1938-2006), who made an outstanding contribution to the improvement of safety and health in the mining industry in Western Australia.
The continuing scholarship also exposes the successful awardees with rare practical employment opportunities in the mining industry.
Ms Patterson said she always had a passion for helping people and making their jobs safer.
“The award provides you with the tools needed to develop a better understanding of safety issues,” said Ms Patterson.
“It uniquely presents you with access to people you would not usually meet at university. I met some really influential people in the occupational health and safety business, who have been in the industry for years.
“I worked at a number of organisations including Resources Safety, and I even undertook paid employment with one of the world’s largest global energy companies – Chevron. It was an invaluable experience and because of this exposure I have now been offered a full-time job with Chevron.”
The scholarship uniquely provides recipients with the chance to meet a number of influential people in the occupational health and safety business who are experts in their field. Many scholarship winners are offered employment by leading companies before they even graduate.
Notes to editors:
James Milne Torlach (1938 – 2006) was responsible for the complete overhaul and modernisation of mine safety legislation culminating in the passage of the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994. For more information about the Jim Torlach Scholarship visit scholarships.curtin.edu.au.
Contacts:
Teresa Belcher, Public Relations, Curtin University
Tel: 08 9266 9085; Email: teresa.belcher@curtin.edu.au, Web: http://curtin.edu.au
Andrea Jones, Marketing and Communications Manager, Faculty of Health Sciences
Tel: 08 9266 1909, Email: andrea.jones@curtin.edu.au
