Jeffrey Jin Appeal raises $30,000

Aug 16, 2006

Members of the University of Wollongong community have dug deep to help the family of former PhD student, Gao (Jeffrey) Jin, who was tragically killed in December 2003.

More than $30,000 has been raised from donations to assist with the future education of Jeffrey’s son, Josh.

Jeffrey was in his third year of PhD studies in the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (IPRI) when he was stabbed to death during an armed hold-up at a southern Sydney service station. Jeffrey was helping a friend out by doing a casual shift at the service station at the time.

He left behind his wife, Julie, and teenage son, Josh. To help support them in some small way, IPRI established the "Jeffrey Jin Appeal".

The funds raised have been made available to Josh in the form of a scholarship to assist with his education after high school.

In 2004, the University presented a posthumous PhD degree to Josh Jin on behalf of his father.

Jeffrey’s widow, Julie, was able to return to the campus recently to officially receive the appeal fund money.

She said that on behalf of her family she wished to thank everybody for their marvellous generosity in contributing to the appeal.

“And I particularly wish to thank Professor Gordon Wallace (IPRI’s Director) for his time in arranging with others at the University to conduct the appeal,” Julie said.