Partnerships

Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development – Greater Western Sydney

The Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development – Greater Western Sydney (RCE-GWS) operates in the most rapidly developing area of Australia – a highly diverse region which has Australia’s third largest economy and faces the distinctive sustainability challenges associated with a rapidly developing, culturally diverse, dispersed peri-urban area.

RCE-GWS sets out to establish a model of how the linked challenges of social, economic and environmental sustainability can be addressed through an integrated process of collaboration between the multiple partners from institutions, organisations, businesses, community groups and local councils. For more information please visit the RCE-GWS website.

Secret Garden and Nursery

UWS Hawkesbury is host to the Hawkesbury Skills Secret Garden and Nursery which sells a large range of ornamental plants in a 2 hectare garden setting. All sales support disability and horticultural therapy programs at the garden. Hawkesbury Skills is a not for profit community organisation.

Hawkesbury EarthCare Centre

The Hawkesbury EarthCare Centre serves as a focus and gathering place for people learning and working together for a responsible stewardship of the earth. The Centre is located on approximately one hectare of land on the Hawkesbury campus. Its building is made from rammed earth, mudbricks and strawbale and provides space for workshops, educational courses and displays. For more information, please see the Hawkesbury EarthCare Centre website (opens in a new window).

NSW TAFE - Western Sydney Institute

TAFE WSI (opens in a new window) is a Registered Training Organisation which provides progressive and innovative vocational education and training to more than 94,000 students every year. WSI covers a geographic area that extends from Parramatta in the east to the Blue Mountains in the west and includes the growth area of North West Sydney.

UWS and TAFE WSI have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding that provides the framework in the collaboration on a series of sustainability projects such as the Hawkesbury River Waterkeeper and UWS Riverfarm projects.

Hawkesbury Environment Network

Hawkesbury Environment Network (opens in a new window) started in late 2009 as an idea for a community environment centre based on the model developed at Noosa. HEN is a strong, viable, dynamic and credible voice for the environment of the Hawkesbury; a network which is representative of the Hawkesbury communities, which represents its members, and educates and engages the community. The group works to conserve and restore the natural environment of the Hawkesbury region with a vision of a sustainable future for its people. HEN works to bring together people and organisations to increase awareness of and act for sustainability and the environment.

Television Sydney (TVS)

TVS (Television Sydney) (opens in a new window) is a free-to-air digital television channel based at UWS. TVS is committed to providing an outlet for programs for all the communities of Sydney, with a focus on Sydney-produced programs. The programs often feature issues that other television channels ignore. They encourage innovative program styles where creative producers explore new formats and showcase emerging talent. Genuine not-for-profit community based program makers receive free program airtime.

There is a strong commitment to sustainability throughout many of their programs. Visit their website to find out more about TVS (opens in a new window), their TVS Community Programs Unit (opens in a new window) and featured programs including Science Spectrum Show (opens in a new window) and Small Biz Central (opens in a new window).

Hawkesbury Harvest

The Hawkesbury Harvest (opens in a new window) is a community-based organisation that continues to highlight the range of unique experiences that can be found in the Hawkesbury region. The University of Western Sydney is a proud supporter of Hawkesbury Harvest and students and staff are actively involved in its development. Farmer's Market are at Penrith (first Saturday of the month) near Joan Sutherland Performing Art Centre. Also at Castle Hill (second and forth Saturday of each month) at Castle Hill Showground via Carrington Road.