Dear students, one sure way to know that it is exam time in the Illawarra region is that the jacarandas are in full flower! I hope you are enjoying and making use of this study recess for Spring session and from all of us here at UOW we wish you good luck with your exams and final assignments.
If you’re wanting an exercise break, UniActive is back up and running, the ocean is calling, and our beautiful natural environment is ripe for exploring.
UOW students taking action on climate change
We are so lucky to be surrounded by the richness and diversity of our natural environment, and while COP26 continues, I want to keep the discussion and hunger for action on climate change alive. For people like UOW student Moemoana Schwenke, who was born in the Pacific Island nation of Samoa, climate change is not just something to discuss, but a real and current emergency. Nations like these depend on the ocean. It is part of their culture and livelihood, but as sea levels rise, it is now also a threat to their very existence. Moemoana expresses a genuine fear of her people becoming climate refugees. You can read more about her important address to the United Nations audience here, along with the contributions of UOW students Grace Mahon, Benjamin Hamill and Sarah Vogel to the 16th United Nations Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY16). We’re very proud of all these students!
Easing travel restrictions
On another note, regional travel is now allowed across NSW. I’d like to encourage you all to please #travelherethisyear. As much as we can, it’s important to support those communities who have suffered a complete loss of tourism during lockdown. It is also pleasing to see that international travel is back and arrivals without quarantine are now allowed for fully vaccinated Australian citizens – very happy news for those with loved ones overseas. It is also a sign that we’re getting one step closer to welcoming back our international students!
Casual work opportunities for students
Finally, with local elections coming up on Saturday 4 December and with 63 polling stations in the Illawarra region, there are a host of opportunities for UOW students to secure work at polling stations on the day. Please visit the NSW Elections webiste for more information.
May all your hard work and perseverance be rewarded as we come to the end of the year. You’ve done so well to get where you are, in what we can all acknowledge has been a tough year.
You’ve got this!
My best,
Trish