As the future of The Spit and the possibility of a cruise ship terminal are hotly debated, Bond University students will take to the area this Sunday, all in the name of giving back.
Almost 50 students will head to Federation Walk this Sunday, June 24, armed with their green thumbs and a mission to vegetate and conserve the popular natural public space.
This activity forms part of the wider Bond University community engagement and volunteering program put together by the Bond University Student Philanthropy Council (SPC).
The SPC’s activities allow students to engage with the local community and continue to build the concept of philanthropy.
SPC Chair and Master of International Relations / Master of Laws student Alan White said the group is learning important skills while thriving on the notion of contributing to the community.
He said Sunday’s activity will see the volunteers work in conjunction with a number of community members in order to benefit the wider Gold Coast.
“We will be working alongside local volunteers as well as staff from the council and we’re really lucky because the planting session will coincide with a celebration around the new entrance signs to the area,” said Alan.
The group’s passion to engage and give back to their community is unmistakably contagious with membership totalling more than 120 people.
“Working with the community enables our volunteers and the SPC team to experience a new environment while learning and growing through personal development,” explains Alan.
“The volunteers engage with members of the community they otherwise would not interact with.”
Past events include cleaning up the Nicoll Scrub Reserve in Currumbin with the team from the Gold Coast and Hinterland Environmental Council (GECKO).
“During that mission we assisted with conservation activities and also planted six new trees in an area that is now known as the Bond University Corner; it was a humbling experience.”
The list of future projects is set to take on even bigger missions including another trip scheduled to Kununurra later this year. The SPC also volunteers their time at the campus’ closest neighbour – Varsity College and Terrace Aged Care.