Rotary making its mark on UOW

Jun 12, 2007

International service organisation Rotary is hoping to build on the strong links it has developed with the University of Wollongong by establishing a new club based at the campus.

UOW already has an active Rotaract Club on campus for people aged 18-30, while senior UOW mental health researchers Professor Frank Deane and Dr Lindsay Oades this year received almost $73,000 in research grants through the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund (ARHRF).

Since 2005, UOW has secured about $200,000 in ARHRF funding.

In August Rotary will host a major fund-raising dinner at UOW's Great Hall to raise money for its Village Aide Program, which provides health services, food, housing and vocational training support for people in poor communities in the Philippines.

UOW is also participating in the Rotary International Ambassadors program, with Irish student Jessica Carroll currently completing a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering at UOW on an Ambassadors scholarship.

Rotary Assistant District Governor Norm Miller says the organisation is keen to generate new memberships from within the UOW community, and hopefully establish a club on campus.

"We have 13 Rotary clubs in the Illawarra that people can join, but ideally we'd like to set up another club locally that is directly associated with the University,' he said.

Mr Miller praised the UOW Rotaract Club, which he described as a valuable training ground for young people in leadership, community service and networking. "The Rotaract members are a fabulous group - so full of full-on. They provide a real charge of enthusiasm whenever they get involved in a Rotary project," he said.

UOW Rotaract President Emily Davis, who is both a student in the Faculty of Arts and a part-time staff member at UniAdvice, said the club provided many opportunities for students and staff to become involved in campus life, and in helping the wider community.

"Rotaract gets involved in a lot of activities, from fund-raisers like the Biggest Morning Tea for the Cancer Council and the Relay for Life to recruiting students as volunteer. door-knockers for the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal. We also organise an international dinner each year.

"Being a member is a great way to get involved with the community and build friendships, while there are opportunities for professional development through getting involved in event management and networking."

Ambassadorial scholarship-holder Jessica Carroll agrees. She was president of her Rotaract club in Dublin before coming to UOW in 2006 to study for her Masters degree, and is now a member of the UOW club.

Ms Carroll, who studied for her undergraduate mechanical engineering degree at University College in Dublin, chose UOW for her Masters degree because of the University's reputation for its outstanding Formula UOW racing car project run by the Faculty of Engineering.

She is now a group leader in the team developing a new car for the 2007 Formula SAE championship, and is loving her time in Australia and at UOW.

*Please note: Anyone interested in joining Rotaract at UOW can contact the club by email at uowrotaract@hotmail.com For information about joining a Rotary club in the Illawarra area, forming a club at UOW, or the Village Aide dinner contact Norm Miller at nmiller@creditinsure.com.au