Two Curtin University initiatives have been announced as finalists in the 2013 Green Gown Awards Australasia, recognising sustainability best practice in tertiary educations institutions.
Both Curtin finalists – John Curtin Weekend and Supported Wage Workers in Motion (SWIM) – are in the social responsibility category.
John Curtin Weekend, run by Curtin Volunteers! since 1999, started last weekend and runs until October 12 and will this year support 47 (mostly rural) communities and feature 600 student volunteers.
The volunteers who take part in environmental and community activities as part of John Curtin Weekend, get a strong sense of engagement and broaden their perspectives on life.
SWIM, a project run by Curtin Human Resources, offers long-term, ongoing work opportunities to people with an intellectual disability and learning spectrum.
The SWIM initiative has already assisted 16 people, who may otherwise have not been able to find work, secure employment at the universityCurtin.
SWIM is part of the voluntary outcome , related to provision of employment opportunities for people with disabilities, which Curtin has added to its mandatory Disability Access and Inclusion Plan.
The winners of the seven categories of the 2013 Green Gown Awards Australasia will be announced at a ceremony in Sydney on September 26.
Curtin is the only Western Australian university among the finalists.
The Green Gown Awards started in the UK in 2004 and the Australasian version is conducted by Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS).
