• Students volunterring during the state-wide John Curtin Weekend

FORMER wartime prime minister and Fremantle MP John Curtin is being honoured by 200 uni students volunteering across the state as part of the John Curtin Weekend.

Curtin University students are helping with a variety of projects including stocking up foodbanks in Perth, planting vegetable gardens and plants in Mundaring, cleaning the Kathleen Day Playgroup in Kalgoorlie, helping out at the Possum Valley Animal Sanctuary, and tidying up the banks of the Harvey River.

Students are volunteering at 25 sites across WA including Avon Valley, Busselton, Chittering, Kalgoorlie, Gingin and Nungarin.

The volunteering ‘Weekend’ (which actually runs until October 14) pays tribute to John Curtin’s leadership and commitment to community service.

Coordinator Rebecca Drummond says this year they have teamed-up with Foodbank, the largest hunger relief charity in Australia.

“This year, we have five new exciting events for our volunteers including our inaugural partnership with Foodbank,” Ms Drummond said.

“Volunteers will work alongside the Foodbank staff, stacking shelves, stock-taking, sorting produce and creating hampers for shoppers.

“We are so proud to be able to do the work we do. Our volunteers not only make a difference to local regional communities, but they also make an impact nationally – by working with organisations like Foodbank, one of the largest hunger relief charities in Australia.”

Curtin University vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne says this year’s John Curtin Weekend will have an international flavour with about a quarter of volunteers international students.

“Not only is this a great experience for students personally, but it’s also an opportunity to support metropolitan and regional communities, by helping with various tasks ranging from working on programs to prepare young people for employment, to gardening and building animal enclosures,” Prof Hayne said.

“The highly anticipated return of international students to Australia following the covid pandemic means we are delighted to welcome 40 international students from 15 different countries to join our volunteers this year.

“I have no doubt the work of the student volunteers will make a meaningful impact on the communities they are supporting, and I would like to thank each of them for jumping on board and embodying the true values of John Curtin.”

For more info on John Curtin Weekend see curtin.edu.au/students/experience/volunteering/john-curtin-weekend/