2016: Dr Natalie Senjov-Makohon

Project: Digitising cultural heritage in Australia

Natalie's digital storytelling project gave voice to the first-generation Ukrainian settlers in Geelong.

Natalie researched the social, cultural and economic benefits of the Ukrainian community in sustaining and developing cultural heritage in Geelong.

Her project utilised the Library's resources on the history of Geelong, newspapers, census data, municipal directories, annual reports, passage histories and other resources. Additionally, it deployed the various library archives to support the research and promote the Library's collection relating to Ukrainians and the relevance of their contribution to Australian society.

 Dr Natalie Senjov-Makohon is an academic researcher and experienced learning designer. In Higher Education and community settings, she specialises in the use of emerging technologies.

In 2010 Natalie was awarded the Endeavour Executive Fellowship Award, the Australian Government's internationally competitive, merit-based program, for her support in educational digital development in a diverse cultural context. She has also been acknowledged and awarded for her contribution to learning and teaching, and has presented at international and national education conferences focusing on 21st-century learning.

Natalie's community work involves the deployment of technology through digital storytelling to empower individuals and sustain cultural identity. Her work as a literacy educator in these communities ensured a transition from traditional to digital literacy with established practitioners.