Media Releases
2021 End of Year Trip: Big Lift volunteers at Chinchilla's Illoura Village
2020 Minilift Fun Run: Big Lift goes to Balaangala
2018 Minilift: Big Lift volunteers at Blackbutt Festival
2018 Fun Run: Big Lift features on Ration Shed Museum Post
2017: Big Lift features on Leeanne Enoch MP's Post
2017 End of Year Trip: QUT students lend a hand in the Burnett in Central and North Burnett Newspaper
2017 Mid-Year Trip: Big Lift features in the ​Quality Pasturefed Beef Newsletter
2017 Mid-Year Trip: Big Lift features in Dalby Herald
2016 End of Year Trip: Radio Interview with ABC News
2016 Mid-Year Trip: Feature in Dalby Herald
2016 Mini-Lift to Cherbourg: Feature on Dr. Anita Heiss' blog
2016 Mini Lift to Cherbourg: Mention on Reconciliation Fun Run Wrap-Up
2016 QUT Big Lift: Feature in QUT Law Society Magazine
2015 End of Year Trip: Feature in Banana Shire Council Newsletter
2015 End of Year Trip: ABC Radio Interview
QUT Big Lift Feature for National Student Volunteer Week 2015
2015 Mid-Year Trip: QUT Big Lift volunteers mentioned in The Chronicle​
2015 Mid-Year Trip: Feature in Maranoa Regional Council's Bottle Tree Bulletin
2015 Mid-Year Trip: Advance Western Downs write-up on the QUT Big Lift.
2015 Mid-Year Trip: Comment for Demos Project on the Big Lift experience in Queensland's Western Downs region learning about industry impacts of coal seam gas.
QUT Big Lift in Bundy and Moura
December 2013
2013s Big Lift trip saw us back in the limelight in some of the towns we visited.
In Moura we again got the chance to speak to Jacquie Mackay from ABC Capricornia.
News Mail came and saw us in Bundaberg we were also offered the chance to speak to 4BU Radio.
QUT Big Lift in Moura
December 2012
Our time in Moura did not go unnoticed as we gathered local media attention.
Jacquie Mackay from ABC Capricornia did two segments, one before our arrival and one afterwards.
We also enjoyed some time in the Central Telegraph paper, written by Rebecca Elliott.
July Trip Challenges Leads to November Trip Focus
May 22 2012
The QUT Big Lift is a student run organisation that provides volunteering experiences that fosters student leadership, while empowering genuine change in the attainment of prosperous relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. After the success of the 2011 trip that visited Cherbourg, Eidsvold, Theodore, Agnes Waters, the Town of 1770, Bundaberg, and Mon Repos before returning to Brisbane, the QUT Big Lift carried an expectation to bring about more opportunities for students to involve themselves in a life changing experiences. It is unfortunate that this expectation has overwhelmed the organisation of the QUT Big Lift trip this year.
This year the executive sought to provide two trips, a July trip and a November trip, however a variety of factors have contributed to the current executive withdrawing plans for the July 2012 trip. This decision comes with much disappointment shared by all executive members. Reasons for this decision are attributed chiefly to difficulties in confirming projects within this year’s identified communities. This is in addition to financial implications of being a not-for-profit organisation, along with pending insurance discussions that continue to impact the sustainability of this project.
The QUT Big Lift executive encompasses a diverse, dedicated, and determined bunch of students and Alumni. The executive would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconveniences caused, or any promises broken. This project takes time to plan, and fundraise for. Often it is difficult for our partners, members, and communities to understand the logistical planning involved in this trip, and this is an ongoing challenge for us. However, it is something that the QUT Big Lift will overcome in time as a result of experience and greater acceptance of being identified as a vehicle for positive change.
As stated previously, the QUT Big Lift will reenergise, and refocus to commit to a successful November trip. The executive can only hope you can understand this unfortunate decision to withdraw from the July trip. We hope we can work with you in developing a strong and successful November trip.
Should you have any concern please contact us via email qutbiglift@gmail.com.
The QUT Big Lift says ‘Thanks Fuji’
6 March 2012
This week the QUT Big Lift was delighted to accept a new sponsorship agreement with the world’s leading camera, and photographic technology company FujiFilm who donated fifty of their products to the Big Lift Winter Trip.
The agreement was struck after recent meetings with current executive members who sought ways to strengthen this year’s winter trip in July which will build on the legacy of the initial Big Lift.
Marketing Executive, Kassandra Buckle spoke openly during meetings regarding her experiences on the 2011 trip, while forwarding her visions for the 2012 project which sought to include a capacity for volunteers to photograph their journey.
“I remember returning back to Brisbane last year with such an incredible feeling and energy after working on some amazing acts of community service and kindness in such beautiful towns, but I felt something was missing,” Miss Buckle said.
“I have many fond memories from last year’s trip, and to know our volunteers this year can come home from the trip of a lifetime to then develop photographs they have never seen before will just be such an emotional, yet inspirational moment.
“I am very thankful FujiFilm has seen value in our cause and has provided our volunteers a means to capture moments and sustain memories from their own personal Big Lift journey,” Miss Buckle said.
The QUT Big Lift is seeking further ways to expand this student-run, and student-lead not-for-profit project to maximise outcomes with the communities they visit.
Various opportunities exist to sponsor and assist the QUT Big Lift in reaching their goals for this 2012 and beyond.
President, Michael Attard said he was looking forward to institutionalising this project within the Queensland University of Technology for the long term.
“It’s with investment and relations external to the university where this project will truly thrive for the long-term,” Mr Attard stated.
“I want to deliver more than just one annual trip to our members, I want there to be opportunities for our members to continue the original legacy well into the future, as well as continuing their growth as individuals and leaders.
“FujiFilm has really lead the way in 2012 for sponsorship of our project, while demonstrating their commitment to supporting student leaders and communities, which I hope other businesses and individuals will support too,” Mr Attard said.
The QUT Big Lift is a not-for-profit organisation which provides student leadership opportunities, while delivering and engaging in meaningful volunteering with Indigenous communities in the attainment of positive relations between non-Indigenous and Indigenous people.
If you would like to assist the QUT Big Lift to make this project bigger and better in 2012, or would like to offer your support with fundraising efforts please visit our support and thanks page or email qutbiglift@gmail.com.
EIDSVOLD NEWS - The QUT Big Lift
26th November 2011
The QUT Big Lift is a volunteer project run by, and for, the students of the Queensland University of Technology. Embarking on an eight-day journey, the aim of the initiative is to visit and immerse into Aboriginal communities in rural Queensland.
After visiting Cherbourg the 41 students headed for Eidsvold. Splitting into groups the students helped out wherever they could around the town.
The Wakka Wakka Women’s Centre received a face-lift, and was painted, landscaped and obtained a new floor.
The RSL/Youth centre was for the better after a kitchen and backyard overhaul, and the Saddlery at the Showgrounds now has a sparkling new layer of paint.
Simultaneously another group spent a day at the Eidsvold State School helping the year three/four/five/six class with the Optiminds Tournament, while a few helped design a memorial fountain in the grounds. A delicious meal was provided by the Bowls Club at the end of a hard day’s work.
On the final day of the visit to Eidsvold, students tied up loose ends around the community with a brief focus on the Eidsvold Historical Society. Cooling off at the pool with the people of Eidsvold was the perfect end to the visit.
The QUT students were overwhelmed by the hospitality of the people of Eidsvold, and many were inspired to come back.
By Samantha Seljak
Student leaders to provide Indigenous communities a big lift
9 November 2011
The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) student club QUT Big Lift are preparing to bid farewell to city lifestyles to deliver community service projects to Queensland Indigenous communities including Cherbourg, Eidsvold and Theodore.
45 student volunteers from QUT will embark on an eight day bus journey visiting Cherbourg, Eidsvold, Theodore, Agnes Waters, 1770, Bundaberg from November 23, 2011.
The Big Lifters will be engaging in service projects including community clean ups days, revegetation, flood recovery, human service projects, painting and repairing public buildings among others.
QUT Big Lift President Michael Attard said the trip is themed around three distinct messages of student leadership, meaningful volunteering and, positive long-term Indigenous relations.
‘Not enough people in urban Australia know the struggle of our Indigenous brothers and sisters in outback Australia,’ Mr Attard said.
‘This project will educate mainstream society how a series of little projects coming together can achieve big change,’ he said.
‘I know this project will change the lives of the students involved.
The QUT Big Lift took inspiration from the University of Technology Sydney’s similar project delivering community service to rural New South Wales and Queensland.
The QUT project differentiates itself through its focus on regional and rural Queensland Indigenous communities in a plight to develop and prosper positive relations between Australia’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous population.
Vice President Melissa Bird said this project deserves to be supported by all Australians who believe in closing the gap.
‘It has been a very rewarding process establishing the QUT Big Lift, but our community work will bring many more rewards,’ Ms Bird said.
‘This is an opportunity to help Indigenous communities where we can, while educating non-Indigenous Australians of the challenges faced by Indigenous Australians,’ she said.
‘The entire Big Lift team are so excited to share this project with these communities and to watch it grow even more in the coming years.The QUT Big Lift is a not-for-profit organisation who have been fundraising the costs of this project since January, 2011. If you would like the QUT Big Lift to visit your community in 2012, or would like to offer your support with fundraising efforts please contact qutbiglift@gmail.com.