Nursing lecturer awarded for service to African communities
An Avondale lecturer has received an award for service to African communities through the work of a charity operating the world’s largest civilian hospital ship.
Sonja Dawson from the Faculty of Nursing and Health received her award at a Celebration of African Australian Awards ceremony at the Parliament of New South Wales in Sydney this past Friday (November 7). Those attending included the president of the Australian Human Rights Commission Emeritus, Professor Gillian Triggs, and the federal Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development, Tanya Plibersek, who presented Sonja with her award.
Sonja’s experience with Mercy Ships, which operates a fleet of hospital ships in developing countries, began with a three-month stint and grew to a 12-year devotion. “Hundreds of others have also served, so I accepted the award on behalf of all the unrecognised volunteers,” says Sonja, who managed up to 90 volunteers by the end of her service with the Christian charity.
Managing director of Mercy Ships Australia, Alan Burrnell, says Sonja led by example. “What I admire the most is her ability to walk in her patients’ shoes.”
Sonja will continue to serve Mercy Ships, even returning to live onboard for a time, when she begins her PhD at the University of Technology Sydney next year. The thesis: “Nursing at sea: an ethnographic study of nursing onboard Mercy Ships.” Alan believes the research will “greatly benefit Mercy Ships and the people we serve.”
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