New head in Community Services

Charles Darwin University has appointed an experienced vocational educator with a passion for quality training in the human services industry to head the School of Community and Children’s Services.

Pro Vice-Chancellor VET Christine Robertson welcomed Kim Hawkins to CDU, saying she would bring a wealth of education and industry experience to the School.

“I am looking forward to working with Ms Hawkins when she starts in her new role early next month,” Ms Robertson said.

“I’m particularly excited about her experience and commitment to innovation and what ideas she has to improve service delivery in the training and community services sectors. 

“Ms Hawkins joins us from Western Australia where she has worked in the childcare, disability and at-risk sectors.

“She brings further expertise having worked in partnership with the community in various roles as an industry advocate and on committees and boards, including as a Cabinet-appointed member of the Ministerial Advisory Council for Disability.

“Ms Hawkins is highly regarded for her skills in the area of change management and capacity building. In a recent project she worked with a leading national researcher on a project to document innovation in an organisation and individual attitudes to innovation.”

The School of Community and Children’s Services delivers courses in an array of disciplines including aged care, youth work, mental health, first aid and early childhood care.

“Ms Hawkins will have carriage of the School’s substantial operations across urban, regional and bush settings.”

Ms Robertson extended her thanks to Denise Horvath, who had filled the role as acting Head of School for the past 10 months.