C296/08
11 November 2008
More than 600 Curtin University of Technology students and staff recently travelled 30,000 kms in 23 buses and four vans to 34 destinations across Western Australia to undertake community projects.
The group, known as Curtin Volunteers!, was taking part in the University’s annual John Curtin Weekend and helped many regional communities including Nungarin, Kulin and Tambellup to turn their town plans into action.
John Curtin Weekend coordinator, Maureen Meredith, said this year’s road trip by the volunteers was probably the most successful they had undertaken in the program’s 10 year history.
“We received great feedback from the towns and volunteers. The students were so enthusiastic and it’s always wonderful to see them having a great time while achieving a common goal,” she said
“Projects included lining sheds, fixing roofs, saving endangered species and helping with local concerts and bush races.
“The regional projects provided a great rural life experience for international students who came from 20 different nations including China, Germany and the United States.”
Ms Meredith said they received positive comments including some from Cape Naturalise Scouts group who were pleased to see their campsite plans become a reality.
John Curtin Weekend is part of the annual John Curtin Day celebrations that honour Australia’s wartime Prime Minister.
John Curtin Weekend was developed in 1999 by students at Curtin University of Technology and is one of WA’s largest annual community projects
Contacts: Maureen Meredith; Curtin; 08 9266 2118; 0401 103 154 M.Meredith@curtin.edu.au; OR Monique Billstein; Public Relations; Curtin; 08 9266 3353; 0401 103 018; M.Billstein@curtin.edu.au
Modified: 11 November 2008
