UQ students make global contribution

A University of Queensland student organisation is making a difference through volunteer initiatives, raising more than $1,000 for a Solomon Island medical clinic.

UQ Bridge held its annual ball on October 9 to raise much-needed funds for the Batuna Medical Clinic in the Solomon Islands.

Bridge vice-president for the environment and UQ student Lillian Warrum said a trip to Batuna as part of the UQ Marovo Lagoon project earlier this year inspired the fundraiser.

“We visited one of the clinics, and saw that it was understaffed, lacking in medical supplies and generally needing funds to fix the inside of the clinic,” Ms Warrum said.

“The Bridge executive committee thought it was a great idea to raise some money to help with supplies and maintenance for the clinic.”

UQ students, community members and Bridge members attended the annual ball at the Sebel in Brisbane, which raised $1,200 for the clinic.

UQ Bridge is Australia’s first student formed and run volunteer organisation, and provides its services to UQ staff, students, and the wider community.

“Our aim is to promote and organise valuable volunteer experiences for UQ staff, students and other interested individuals, bridging our volunteers with the community,” Ms Warrum said.

“People can get involved by emailing bridge@uq.edu.au or become a member of our Facebook group, with the next opportunity to join the Bridge being at Market Day 2010.”

For more information, including a list of associated volunteer organisations, visit www.uqbridge.org

Media: Lillian Warrum (lillian.warrum@uqconnect.edu.au) or Trudi Saul at UQ Communications (trudi.saul@uqconnect.edu.au)