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Being nursed back to health after becoming critically ill on a remote tropical island isn’t how most people become involved with Western Sydney University. However, that’s how prize donor, former Western Sydney University Foundation Chairman, business leader and philanthropist Mark Richardson was first introduced to Western.
Mark’s involvement with Western began in 1992 with a memorable experience. Sailing around the islands of Thailand to celebrate a recent promotion, Mark and his crew moored in the harbour of a remote fishing village. Dining at the island’s only café became a life-threatening experience when he fell seriously ill.
Above: Mark Richardson and prize winner Dr Caitlin Frede
By coincidence, a Western Sydney University-trained Australian nurse, Sheridan, was at the same café. With the help of locals, she carried Mark onto her yacht and, using a professional first aid kit on board, administered a drip.
The village’s only doctor had passed away one week previously, and his replacement had not yet arrived. Accompanied by local residents, Sheridan returned to the village, and by necessity broke into the Doctor’s surgery to obtain medication and supplies.
Two days later, Mark woke up, having lost around 5kg and with no knowledge of the previous 48 hours. It was clear that Sheridan’s actions had saved his life. This experience was not only a dramatic introduction to the skills of Western’s nursing graduates, but the start of a life-long friendship, which would include Mark becoming godfather to Sheridan’s daughter.
Mark’s commitment to Western continued around the year 2000, when Chancellor Mr John Phillips, AO, who Mark knew professionally, asked if he would like to consult on the development of the University’s strategic direction. Mark was later invited to join the University’s Foundation Council, which included five years serving as Chair.
While in this role, Mark was inspired to further his support of Western’s students by setting up a prize. He decided to support students in the newly-opened Medical School, whose first cohort of students were in their second year. The Mark Richardson Award for Second Year Medicine, awarded to the most outstanding student in their second year of the Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery began.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the effort that the individual students put into their study and their life’s ambitions through Western Sydney Uni… as a prize giver it’s really ‘goosebumpy’ when you sit there and your award is read out, and the winner is introduced, and you go shake their hand, and give them
their prize…"
"I think it’s this sense of giving, and giving something which is not an enormous amount or huge cost to me, or any other prize giver, but is an enormous amount to the person who receives the award itself. They genuinely gain from that. And I think it’s a good thing.”
Prizes are a way people like you can encourage hard-working, determined students at Western, and reward success in studying a field you’re passionate about. Don’t wait for a Western graduate to save your life before setting up a prize!
For more information about how you can establish a prize at Western, please visit our website or contact our Prize Team on giving@westernsydney.edu.au or 02 9685 9511.
