This year’s Open Day marked a big change since we committed to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2030.

As part of this commitment, we opted not to produce any merchandise for the occasion and instead donate the money to three worthy charities.

Every attendee received a pebble – two if they brought their own bag or drink bottle – to choose a charity they wanted to support. For every pebble, a $2 donation was made on their behalf.

Pro Vice Chancellor Sustainability Dr Martin Brueckner said it was wonderful to see the initiative so well supported.

To achieve meaningful change requires collective action, so it was heartening to see so many people in the community get behind this initiative.”
Dr Martin Brueckner

“We were not only able to avoid producing materials that might have ended up in landfill, but also support some terrific causes that align with the inclusive, sustainable world we’re trying to foster here at Murdoch.”

There were three charities to choose from – one aligned with each of the University’s strategic themes – and all are putting the donations towards important work.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Kin Disability Advocacy promotes and safeguards the rights and interests of people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who live with a disability, their families and carers in Western Australia.

Kin will be putting the funds donated through Open Day towards their Ambassadors’ graduation dinner, which celebrates people from diverse backgrounds who are helping people with a disability live their best lives.

First Nations

GIVIT is a not-for-profit organisation that assists people experiencing hardship to get the essential items they need, when they need them. Their dedicated First Nations support provides the essential items needed to change individuals’ health and wellbeing outcomes.

Funds raised via Open Day will be used to provide some of the 1,410 essential items needed by First Nations people here in Western Australia.

These include things like bedding for someone who has recently secured housing following years of homelessness, school bags and uniforms for a family escaping domestic violence and a heater for an elderly woman experiencing significant physical health challenges.

Sustainability

The Wetlands Centre is a community-based organisation on a mission to connect the community with wetlands through projects, programs and events which increase awareness, understanding, and commitment to their conservation and wise use.

The Centre will use the donation to acquire a leaf blower to move leaves off the nursery roof, enabling seedlings to get sunlight all day. This will increase the number of healthy plants available for local wetland restoration. 

If you would like to help get those seedlings in the ground, information on volunteering is available on the website.