More than 100 dietitians and graduating students attended our end-of-year Placement Educator and Student Award Event at Flinders in the City in the stifling heat on the evening of December 17. Maggie Beer inspired us all with the work that the Maggie Beer Foundation (MBF) is doing to transform the food experience for older people, particularly those in Aged Care Facilities. The graduating students also inspired us with their enthusiasm and aspirations for entering our profession. The quality of our graduates would not have been possible without the support and expertise of our Placement Educators and we are deeply grateful to their involvement.

Jolene Thomas and the Flinders Nutrition and Dietetics team of administrative staff did a fabulous job organising the event which included the presentation of certificates to Placement Educators and the presentation of academic excellence awards to current and graduating students. The night concluded with a thoughtful speech by graduates, Jessica Kruger and Natalie Skinner, on the value of their placements and gratitude to the Placement Educators. Maggie spoke passionately about the MBF vision and more about the Maggie Beer Foundation’s campaign can be downloaded and read in their strategic plan. Our staff and students have had the privilege to support some of these initiatives and look forward to continuing to work with the talented MBF team: Steph Busch, Sarah Goodwin, Eliza Taylor and Maggie.

Special thanks are extended to our many collaborators who support our teaching and research programs. The generous support, expertise and role modelling offered is crucial to shaping work ready graduates. The high quality of our graduates and our research reflects this input and we are truly appreciative of the support that is received.