• Charles Sturt Community Health Honours student wins best new presenter and best overall 15-minute conference presentation awards
• Conference presented opportunity for student to present to 150 regional health practitioners
• Sandra Moyo presented on Charles Sturt’s Ageing Well program

Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) final-year Community Health Honours student Ms Sandra Moyo was awarded ‘Best New Presenter’ and shared ‘Best Presenter Overall’ for her presentation of her research at the North East Goulburn Valley Allied Health Conference.

The conference in Beechworth in Victoria on Monday 3 June included 40 speakers, who made presentations to an audience of 150 regional health practitioners.  

Charles Sturt lecturer and Honours coordinator at the School of Community HealthDr Kylie Murphy said the University was proud of Ms Moyo’s achievement. 

“In the School of Community Health, our research is guided by the Wiradjuri principle of Yindyamarra, which is about honouring our local communities, respectfully working with others to help more people ‘live well’,” Dr Murphy said. 

“Sandra’s research with participants of our Ageing Well program really showed that Yindyamarra respect, and we could not be more proud of her.” 

Dr Murphy said Ageing Well is a dual-task cognitive and mobility program for older people residing in the local Albury community.

Ms Moyo said the award was a significant achievement following pre-presentation nerves.

“These awards mean a lot to me; words cannot even express how I feel. I did not expect it at all,” Ms Moyo said.

“The highlight of the evening for me was when the keynote speaker and internationally recognised researcher came to me and said, ‘I’d like to see who you become in five years’, words I will carry with me every day!”

Following the presentation of her research titled ‘Ageing well: The experiences of older people participating in a dual task cognitive and mobility program’ Ms Moyo said a number of health service leaders and practitioners asked more about the project. 

Ms Moyo also acknowledged the support and guidance of Charles Sturt lecturers and her Honours supervisors, Dr Melissa Nott and Dr Kristy Robson. 

“I would also like to thank my lecturers who came to support me; Dr Michael Curtin, Dr Tracey Parnell, Ms Kim Lustig, Dr Kylie Murphy and my supervisor Dr Kristy Robson.

“The look of pride on their faces kept me going,” Ms Moyo said. 

Ms Moyo added the experience of presenting and the award would assist in securing future employment opportunities.