Peter Botsman Award 2008

Dr Judith Kearney

This award acknowledges the excellent contribution made by Dr Judith Kearney to English teaching in Queensland both in her role as a teacher educator at Griffith University and through her participation in professional associations. It recognizes her professional leadership and commitment to the teaching profession, and her administrative, organisational and personal communication skills in the service of English teaching beyond the classroom.

Judith’s commitment to the profession has been evident in her years of service to the English Teachers Association of Queensland.  She served on the Association’s Management Committee and was always keen to ensure that the particular needs of primary school teachers were catered for in the professional development activities conducted.

Her dedication, hard work, persistence and patience were particularly evident in the role of book convenor for the Association.   In this capacity Dr Kearney was responsible for searching for resources to meet the needs of both primary and secondary teachers and for managing the financial, ordering and invoicing processes associated with the position.  This was a responsibility Judith undertook both with consummate professionalism and with great competence. 

A contribution of particular note involved the 2005 AATE/ALEA joint national conference: “Pleasure, Passion, Provocation”. Held at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in July of that year, this activity had over 120 speakers, including international keynotes, national and local presenters and panel members, and attracted over 700 delegates.  Developing effective collaboration between two professional associations with different cultures, agendas, membership and organisational structures requires high degrees of professionalism, leadership, collegiality, efficiency and discretion.  These are qualities that Dr Kearney possesses and demonstrated in all of her interactions related to the Conference, including those involving liaison with our professional conference organisers Organisers Australia.

In particular, Dr Kearney diligently attended all event committee meetings over the two years of conference preparation, communicated effectively and professionally with a large number of potential sponsors, with great tenacity and unfailing patience, and successfully secured $40,000 in sponsorship for the conference.  Her contribution was highly significant as it has enabled the conference to run at a profit for the first time in several years.  Both AATE/ETAQ and ALEA are indebted to her in this regard.

This award is it is a very fitting one for a quiet achiever who has done much to enhance the professional learning of teachers in Queensland.