C264/08
1 October 2008
More than 450 members of Curtin Volunteers! (CV!) from 麻豆直播 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鈥檚 largest annual community projects – is part of the annual John Curtin Day celebrations that honour Australia鈥檚 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鈥檚 highest political office on 7 October 1941.聽 The 11th ceremony will be held this Tuesday at the University鈥檚 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.
鈥淭he 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,鈥� Ms Meredith said.
鈥淧rojects 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.
鈥淭his year鈥檚 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.
鈥淚t鈥檚 always wonderful to see them having a great time while achieving a common goal.
鈥淣ot 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.
鈥淭he volunteers usually leave Perth on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, with locals providing accommodation at farm stays, clubhouses and even shearers鈥� quarters in the towns they visit, which will be particularly exciting for our international students.鈥�
There are four metropolitan sites in Fremantle, Rockingham, Lesmurdie and John Curtin鈥檚 original house in Cottesloe, and international projects at Curtin鈥檚 Sarawak Campus, Canada鈥檚 Brock University and Singapore鈥檚 Institute of Technical Education.
To learn more about John Curtin Weekend activities visit
Attention Editor/COS: Attached is a copy of the projects, dates and locations.
Contacts:聽 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
