UWS Community initiatives

SURF Projects

The Sustainable UWS Rolling Fund (surf) program funds sustainability projects that are developed, managed and implemented by UWS staff and students.

SURF UWS Djalaringi Child Care Centre Community Garden
Establishment of community garden within the Djalaringi Child Care Centre which includes children, parents, staff and students from the School of Education.

UWS Engagement

UWS is an active participant in the community life of Greater Western Sydney. UWS Engagement has dedicated staff whose roles are focused on University-Community links around environmental and social sustainability issues of priority importance to GWS. For further enquires please contact the UWS Engagement Facilitator, Social Capacity.

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 Riverkeeper and 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) is a free-to-air 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.

Love Food Hate Waste

UWS has recently become a partner in the Love Food Hate Waste Program. Love Food Hate Waste aims to raise awareness about the impact of food waste in NSW and reduce how much 'good' food we waste. Love Food Hate Waste is managed by the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) partnering with corporate, government and not-for-profit organisations committed to reducing food waste in NSW.

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.

SMExcellence

SMExcellence is a free online interactive learning and planning system that helps you to startup and manage your business.

Green Skills

UWS is currently working with a range of groups and government on the feasibility of adding a Green Skills component to the SMExcellence system - for an example of how this might work see SMExcellence Green Skills (PDF, 588Kb) 

Environmental Education Centres for Schools

UWS has collaborated with the Longneck Lagoon and Brewongle Environmental Education Centres to develop engaging academic enrichment programs for school students. Read more on Environmental Education Centre for Schools (PDF, 4.4Mb).

Hawkesbury Skills 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 Remnants Landcare Group

Hawkesbury Remnants Landcare group (PDF, 266Kb) was formed in early 2009 and is made up of UWS staff and student volunteers who meet once a month to restore the Cumberland Plain Woodlands on the Hawkesbury campus.

Kingswood Bush Care Group

Kingswood Bush Care group (PDF, 227Kb) is dedicated to the care and restoration of the critically endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland on Kingswood campus. Learn about native plants and animals, gain new skills and meet new people. Kingswood bush care group meets once a month on Kingswood campus.

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.

Other Community projects at UWS

• Running community expos on the Green Agenda -  for example see UWS Green expo
• Cohosting key green conferences - for example see Powershift 2009 website (opens in a new window)

Community projects at other universities and colleges

• Community projects - for example see Waterkeepers, Pace University website (opens in a new window)

If your section of UWS is addressing any of these areas or additional ones, please let us know by completing the UWS Sustainability project form.