Kindness continues as CQU Melbourne bustles back
By Mary Bolling
As students flock back to CQUniversity Melbourne, campus leaders are making sure they find support and connection at the heart of the city destination.
Home to nearly 2000 students, with the majority moving from outside Australia to study, the vibrant campus has an innovative history of bringing people together, especially through tough times.
Last week, the Melbourne team delivered round three of its Campus Kindness initiative, providing 90 well-stocked packs of food essentials to grateful students.
It’s the third time the packs have been provided in 2023, and Associate Vice-President (Victoria Region) Will Alderton says the ongoing initiative recognises how cost of living challenges impact all students.
“International students in Melbourne faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic, as they lost access to work, income, and community support systems,” he said.
"In those years, CQU Melbourne saw student numbers drop from 3000 to just a few hundred – but it’s testament to the determination of young people wanting to study in Melbourne, that the cohort is steadily growing again.
“But cost of living, as well as the growing costs at home that students faced just to get to Australia, are having big impacts on the experience of international students in Melbourne, and at CQU.
“CQU Melbourne initiatives like the Campus Kindness packs, our forthcoming appointment of an International Student Arrival Officer to provide welfare support, and our active and vibrant Campus Life Committee, means that students are better equipped to focus on their studies, thrive in their new home, and graduate ready for new careers.”
Mr Alderton said that Term 1 of 2024 was shaping up to be the biggest intake of students since the pandemic, and ongoing projects like Campus Kindness were in place to promote connection and community for the new arrivals.
Food and friendship are long-running themes at the busy campus.
In 2020, CQU was the first Australian university to partner with social enterprises SecondBite and FareShare to establish a large food bank supporting international students.
In just six months, thanks to volunteer support from staff and other students, it had distributed more than 20,000 frozen meals, and thousands of kilos of fresh produce and dry goods to students.
During the pandemic, staff and students also created a fundraising cookbook Recipes from Behind Closed Doors, which raised funds for international student relief.
For more information about CQUniversity Melbourne, visit cqu.edu.au/about-us/locations/melbourne and follow CQUniMelbourne on Instagram for campus updates.
