Elizabeth Barnes wins Diabetes Victoria Award for Academic Excellence

The Deakin School of Nursing and Midwifery Student Awards formally recognise outstanding effort, academic performance, and commitment to the wider community.

We were delighted to present Elizabeth Barnes with the 2024 Diabetes Victoria Award for Academic Excellence at the annual ceremony in May. This prize is awarded for the best all-round academic performance by a student enrolled in the Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education.

Winning the Diabetes Victoria Award for Academic Excellence was a life affirming moment for Elizabeth Barnes, who briefly considered discontinuing the course during the first weeks of her degree.

“I was quite hesitant at the thought of returning to university as it had been many years since my undergraduate degree,” she says.

“I was far from being an academic, and alongside working and having a young family I wondered how I could manage it all.

“At first it was overwhelming returning to Uni and getting the hang of it again.

“In the first two weeks I thought I can’t do this, it’s too hard.

“I was so excited, honoured and surprised to win this award – I am so thankful I persisted with the course, this is an important reminder that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.”

Elizabeth decided to complete the Graduate Certificate of Diabetes Education to support her local community after the only diabetes educator in her region retired.

“I live rurally, about five hours from Melbourne,” she explains.

“My background as a registered nurse is in community health, district nursing and working with people with chronic conditions.

“We had a diabetes educator in the region for about 20 years and when she retired, it left our community without access to this support.

“The next closest diabetes educator was an hour away which was difficult for people to access.

“I felt our community was left disadvantaged and it was a well needed resource, which prompted my decision to have a go at returning to university.”
She opted to complete the course over two years, balancing study with part time work and caring for her young family.

She praises course coordinators Dr Virginia Hagger and Catherine McNamara, who ensure all students are supported and prepared for the role of a diabetes educator.

“They are truly passionate, knowledgeable and caring diabetes educators,” Elizabeth says.

“I decided to complete the course over two years because I thought, if I’m going to invest in this learning, I want to ensure I imbed all the information and learn as much as I can.

“I was also supported by my work at Orbost Regional Health where they encouraged me to enjoy the learning to get as much out of it as possible.

“I wanted to become a good resource and support for people living with diabetes in our remote community.”

Elizabeth is now working as a Credentialled Diabetes Educator and loves her new role.

“The course has complimented my work at our medical clinic working with people with chronic conditions,” she says.

“I am thoroughly enjoying working as a diabetes educator and look forward to many more years of learning and experience to come.”

“Having this support for people with diabetes in our community to access is making a big difference.

“Thank you to Diabetes Victoria for your commitment to supporting people with diabetes, and for recognising and celebrating the work of this course for future diabetes educators.”