Content
Over a decade of Rotary generosity
26 May 2007
Last week’s largest and highly successful Graduation Ceremony was again a moving reminder of the relationship between this University, its community, and its students.
That we have gained the success we have, to become Australia’s fastest growing university, is in no small measure due to not only our professional staff, and our loyal students, but also to a growing number of organisations and individuals who have extended support to the University in these crucially important early years.
No community organisation has been more important to us than Rotary.
The combined Rotary Clubs of the Sunshine Coast held their annual meeting at the University on Wednesday, and again we were presented with cheques from the various clubs, and three students from the three faculties were presented with A$2,000 scholarships.
Rotary was the first community organisation to approach the University offering to explore ways of how they could assist our development.
The nature of Rotary support has evolved, the University-Rotary committee memberships have changed, but the financial and personal commitment continues unabated, and in turn we can ensure that the benefits flow through to address the needs of the region.
At a time when some people regret the decline of community spirit, Rotary clubs on the coast have shown no sign that they have lost focus on community development.
In a Rotary newsletter to members encouraging support recently, there was a stress on contributing to “your university” – and that sentiment is exactly what we at USC are also wishing to convey. We are here for the whole Sunshine Coast community, and all of our teaching, research and engagement are for the Coast, through our students.
Rotary has been an exemplary supporter and we owe its leadership and members, as well as other organisations who have followed, a great debt of gratitude. Thank you all.
Professor Paul Thomas AM is Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Sunshine Coast.