THE SEAHORSE | 27
ALUMNI AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE FINALISTS
MR ROBERT HENDERSON
MS ESTHER KALENGA
Master of Public Health 2010
MR TIM SILVERWOOD
Bachelor of Commerce 1975 Mr Robert Henderson is Chief Economist, Markets at the National Australia Bank (NAB), where his key responsibilities are to advise NAB’s dealing floors and customers on the outlook for the economy and markets. He moved to NAB in 2001 following at 10-year period as Director and Chief Economist for investment bank Dresdner Kleinwort Benson.
Ms Esther Kalenga completed her high school education and undergraduate qualifications in the Congo before moving to Australia in 2007. Esther and her three children fled to Zimbabwe in 2000 just a day before the war reached their home. In Zimbabwe she sought political asylum and over the following seven years learnt English and worked as a physiotherapist.
Mr Tim Silverwood is an environmentalist specialising in the field of ocean conservation and plastic pollution. He is Vice President and co-founder of the not-for-profit organisation Take 3, a Clean Beach Initiative established in 2009.
Robert’s impressive 37-year career as a professional economist spans both the public and private sectors. In 1989-90 Robert was Branch Head – Economic Assessments in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (PMC), leading a team of 25 analysts providing policy advice and briefing for then Prime Minister Bob Hawke. Prior to his PMC role, Robert worked as Head of Industries Branch in the Department of Finance where he managed the work of 35 analysts on industry budgeting issues and oversaw a budget of $538 million. After earlier serving as Chairman of the Australian Business Economists Association, in 2009 Robert was made an Honorary Life Member of the Association for his contribution to the economics profession.
Since arriving in Newcastle, Esther has dedicated herself to helping immigrants integrate into the community. She speaks four languages and is currently an interpreter for Health Care Interpreters within the Multicultural Health Unit, Hunter New England Local Health Network, and the Department of Human Services. She is a case worker for Navitas English’s Humanitarian Settlement Services program and a settlement facilitator for the Families in Cultural Transition Program with the Service for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Trauma and Torture Survivors. Esther is also a Congolese community leader in Newcastle and has recently been appointed to represent African communities on the Hunter’s Multicultural Health Advisory Committee.
Bachelor of Science 2006
Tim is a passionate advocate for a zero waste future for Australia with advanced waste management systems including better waste avoidance, litter reduction and resource recovery. In 2011 Tim studied the infamous North Pacific Gyre, also known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Expanding his knowledge, networks and generating a portfolio of documentary materials, Tim used this experience as a catalyst to educate the broader Australian community on the wider implications of plastic pollution on the planet. Tim has invested countless volunteer hours furthering the plastic pollution cause. He has travelled across Australia to educate school and tertiary students and the wider community about plastic pollution; advised the NSW government on policy decisions relating to plastic pollution; and worked with community groups, environmental organisations and recreational groups to progress solutions to reducing marine debris.