Rajendra Gibran Alvaro (Gibran) was one of eight UWA students and recent graduates presented with the 2025 McCusker Centre for Centre for Citizenship’s Outstanding Intern Award today, selected from a strong field of 142 nominees for his contribution with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
As part of his Bachelor of Commerce studies, Gibran applied for a McCusker Centre for Citizenship (the Centre) internship and was matched with a role supporting DPIRD’s Community Resource Centre Program team with the creation of eLearning modules and resources.
“Gibran was engaged to research and develop two onboarding eLearning modules for 101 Community Resource Centres who are committed to developing regional communities and connecting the people of WA,” said Aaron Johnston, Program Manager with DPIRD’s Community Resource Centre (CRC) team.
“After completing these to a high standard and ahead of schedule, we discussed expanding his workload. Gibran worked closely with the CRC team and, by the end of his internship, had authored and published seven eLearning modules. To date, the eLearning program has been well received, with 145 individuals completing the course, 60 currently in progress, and overwhelmingly positive feedback from CRCs.
“Gibran’s contribution during this internship will leave a lasting legacy on our program, helping to improve service delivery and drive positive change in regional WA communities,” Mr Johnston said.
Gibran said that he was grateful to be selected for the Award, after reading about the impressive contributions of other interns in the program.
“Receiving this Award is the cherry on top of wonderful internship. My experience with DPIRD, and now this recognition, further motivate me to give back to society in the upcoming chapters of my life,” he said.
“During a visit to Hyden during my internship, and after publishing the modules, CRC Coordinators noted how helpful these resources are for them and their staff. Through these modules, I believe I am still contributing to positive development in regional WA even after the conclusion of my internship.
“For me the internship experience was full of valuable learning, including how crucial stakeholder relationship management is, how strong communication skills are just as important as technical, job-specific abilities, and how powerful collaboration can be.”
Since finishing his internship, Gibran started his first part-time job, and said the internship experience continues to enrich his university experience.
“While my part-time employment is something completely different from my internship, many of the things I learned, like stakeholder relationship skills, are transferrable. The internship has given me a new perspective for how I approach questions and case studies in class, and it has influenced my involvement in several student clubs I’m part of,” he said.
The Outstanding Intern Award was presented today at UWA by McCusker Centre for Citizenship Advisory Committee members, the Honourable Malcolm McCusker AC CVO KC CitWA and Judge Denis Reynolds AM.
Image: Cassie Marriott, Project Officer - CRC Program, DPIRD, with McCusker Centre for Citizenship Outstanding Intern Award recipient Gibran Alvaro and Kelly Edwards, Project Officer, DPIRD