President's Teaching and Learning Awards 2003/2004
Eileen Courtney

I could list numerous adjectives - such as interesting, forthright, dedicated, dignified, stimulating, attentive - in an attempt to describe Ms Courtney's polished teaching skills, her innate integrity, depth of character and range of humour, but I feel they may sound flat and dispassionate to those who have never had the privilege of sitting in on one of her lectures.

Ms Courtney is a remarkable educator. She is hugely versed in her field and has a talent for imparting her knowledge with an ease of confidence that stimulates us. She has the ability to imbue those listening to her with the motivation and wish to succeed as better practitioners and people. She is versatile, innovative and invigorating in the classroom setting, progressive and thought provoking in her methods, reminding us that "teaching is not a lost art, but the regard for it is a lost tradition" (Jacques Barzun).v

• To teach is to "not cut down jungles but to irrigate ditches" - C.S. Lewis.
• To nurse is to have "grace under pressure" - Hemmingway.
But to combine the two so as to inspire and impassion an entire new force of professionals in a climate that is so rapidly changing is truly nothing short of brilliance.

Eileen has a knack for making the most tedious topics seem relevant to the demanding daily grind of our chosen profession. She actively stimulates ethical debates, ensuring that, despite the frequency with which we deal with death and tragedy, we never lose the humanity or emotion that exists at the care of every nursing issue we encounter in the classroom.

Ms Courtney's contribution and merit with regards to the education, facilitation and inspiration of students is not merely to my fellow classmates, but to countless past and future students fortunate enough to participate in her lectures.

vFinally, in the words of Carl Jung: "An understanding heart is everything in a teacher and cannot be esteemed highly enough. One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feeling. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the individual."

Unbeknownst to Jung, this statement was never more apt than when in reference to Eileen Courtney.