AICCM Student Conservator of the Year 2006
Marika Kocsis, alumnus of the first student cohort to graduate from the CCMC Masters course in 2005, has won the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials (AICCM) Student Conservator of the Year Award.
Working as a paper conservator at the State Library of New South Wales since her graduation, Marika turned her love of books (she once ran a publishing company) into a new career in paper conservation. Her masters thesis, the basis for her AICCM award, was on the subject of the conservation of contemporary artists books - their history, exhibition, storage and handling.
Marika found the collegial atmosphere at the Centre an integral part of her success, with the teachers and lecturers supportive and easy to contact, and a great rapport between the students. Academic Programs Coordinator and Dean's Teaching Award Winner, Marcelle Scott, was a wonderful teacher and always a source of advice and support.
"Marika was a wonderful person to have in our very first Masters group" says Marcelle. "She was so open to new ideas and directions". Marika confirms that the students' feedback was always valued and suggestions incorporated. "It was so exciting being part of the first group to graduate from the Centre", she says.
So what's next for Marika? She believes that research is extremely important and would love to return to study to complete a PhD at some stage. "If you want to be heard and taken seriously, you must invest in research", she asserts.
Marika was presented with a framed award and prize money at a ceremony at the AICCM Annual General Meeting. She will publish the findings from her thesis in the AICCM bulletin and present at a conference in Brisbane.