C264/08
1 October 2008
More than 450 members of Curtin Volunteers! (CV!) from Curtin University of Technology will visit over 30 regional WA towns and metropolitan sites to take part in community service projects as part of John Curtin Weekend 2008 starting this Friday October 3.
John Curtin Weekend – one of WA’s largest annual community projects – is part of the annual John Curtin Day celebrations that honour Australia’s wartime Prime Minister.
As part of these activities, the John Curtin Medal is awarded to members of the community who demonstrate his qualities of vision, leadership and community service. The Medal is presented at a special ceremony that commemorates the anniversary of his accession to the country’s highest political office on 7 October 1941. The 11th ceremony will be held this Tuesday at the University’s Bentley Campus.
Curtin Volunteers! John Curtin Weekend coordinator Maureen Meredith said students, staff and alumni will join with local residents in the spirit of community to complete projects over four weekends.
“The John Curtin Weekend regional projects benefit country towns and also provide a great rural life experience for participating international student volunteers who are from many nations including the USA, Canada, Malaysia, UK and Japan,” Ms Meredith said.
“Projects include assisting with lining a shed in Kununoppin, revitalising the Old Gillingarra School Site and hall, and working with the Lancelin community on their Frogs Rock project for motorbike frogs.
“This year’s John Curtin Weekend will be held throughout October and the projects will bring together volunteers who are diverse in age, race, nationality, religion, life experience and political persuasions.
“It’s always wonderful to see them having a great time while achieving a common goal.
“Not only will they work with local community groups on a number of worthwhile projects, they will get to experience country hospitality and learn what rural communities are all about.
“The volunteers usually leave Perth on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, with locals providing accommodation at farm stays, clubhouses and even shearers’ quarters in the towns they visit, which will be particularly exciting for our international students.”
There are four metropolitan sites in Fremantle, Rockingham, Lesmurdie and John Curtin’s original house in Cottesloe, and international projects at Curtin’s Sarawak Campus, Canada’s Brock University and Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education.
To learn more about John Curtin Weekend activities visit www.cv.curtin.edu.au
Attention Editor/COS: Attached is a copy of the projects, dates and locations.
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: 6 October 2008
