Ben O’Sullivan, who grew up in Warrnambool, has been named the Deakin Business School Graduate of the Year while Portland midwifery student Catherine Trinnick is being rewarded for the all-round quality of her study.

Mr O’Sullivan has won the Bowater Trust Medal which is presented annually to the best all-round graduate student based on academic merit, extra-curricular activities and ambassadorial qualities.

Mr O’Sullivan, who completed his schooling at Warrnambool East Primary School and Warrnambool College, said the award is a great motivator.

“It is recognition for both my academic achievements and for the work myself and other recipients contributed to the community and university life,” he said.

After completing a bachelor of commerce with honours majoring in economics in 2015, he has now started his career with the Department of Social Services graduate program.

Mr O’Sullivan, who received a Deakin Honours Scholarship during his studies, wants to contribute in a positive way to the lives of others, a motivation shared by fellow award winner Ms Trinnick.

Ms Trinnick will receive a JR Medical Books Award for the best all-round excellence of academic results and clinical performance by a student in Deakin’s midwifery course.

She completed her graduate diploma studies last year through Deakin’s Burwood and Warrnambool campuses, fulfilling a long-held ambition to work in midwifery. 

Now employed at Portland District Health, Ms Trinnick said the Deakin course and the support of her colleagues gave her confidence to cope with any situation that may arise at the hospital.

Ms Trinnick completed most of her study remotely which allowed her to keep working at the same time.

“The course has flexible delivery so there’s a large component online and through video conferencing so it fits in quite well when you’re living away,” she said.

Ms Trinnick’s award will be presented on Thursday coinciding with International Midwives Day.