top of page
1.jpeg
b1.jpeg

We have safely returned home from our annual volunteering road trip that takes us up north to regional towns in Queensland. We have an impossibly long list of people to thank for the success of our journey: the community members that welcomed us into their towns and helped us coordinate our stay; QUT Student Engagement for their funding support; our forty amazing volunteers who each brought their own charisma, commitment and character to the trip and of course, the exec team that put it all together.

Our 2015 end of year trip entailed forty wonderful volunteers learning about regional life, getting to know community members from all walks of life and doing incredibly rewarding service projects in Murgon, Cherbourg, Eidsvold and Theadore. Our visit to the ration shed was an eye-opening experience to learn about the complex history and resilient community in Cherbourg. We had the privilege of speaking with members of the Indigenous community in Eidsvold, learning about education and teaching in a regional community at the Eidsvold State School and thoroughly enjoyed a delightful meal and celebration with the community at the annual Eidsvold Historical Society Dinner. A favourite for many Big Lifters was the Pool Games Challenge afternoon with families and youth at the Eidsvold Swimming Pool!

Theadore was an incredibly welcoming community, our student volunteers had the opportunity to restore a community space and do various gardening and cleaning projects within the community. The Big Lift team was very lucky to attend a Bush Poetry Evening at the restored community space, and a few of us even performed. 

The trip wasn't complete without some amazing fun at Agnes Waters, learning to surf and enjoying the beach. Lastly we had a surprise at Mon Repos and tonnes of fun in Bundaberg before heading back to Brisbane. All in all, this was an amazing, unforgettable experience. We've learned so much about; life in regional communities, the importance of respecting our Indigenous Australians and of being aware of both the complex histories and wonderful culture that thrives and that by lending a helping hand or starting a conversation you can make a real difference within the community.

bottom of page