Three decades after it was founded, the University of the Sunshine Coast is inviting the community to help shape its next chapter through the 'UniSC 30 for 30’ campaign. 

Each $30 donation in the campaign will support three key areas – saving sick or injured marine turtles, easing financial stress on students so they can keep studying, and supporting research to transform the way trauma is understood and treated. 

UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett, said UniSC began three decades ago through a united community effort to transform lives through learning and knowledge – and today community remains central to the University’s growth and impact. 

“Now, in our milestone anniversary year, people can help us keep building a better future by supporting three causes close to our hearts,” Professor Bartlett said.  

“They can donate towards study support bursaries for students working extra shifts to pay for rent and fuel, care for injured and exhausted sea turtles at our new Milbi Centre, and research at the Thompson Institute that is helping people with PTSD to find a path through trauma. 

“All gifts to these key initiatives will be matched by philanthropic partners, amplifying community impact.” 

UniSC 30 for 30

Celebrate 30 years of UniSC. Give $30 to support students, communities and research, and help shape what comes next.

Gifts to Study Support Bursaries will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Scott Williams Foundation, to a maximum of $75,000.

Gifts to the Milbi Centre will be matched dollar-for -dollar by the Sandy Michell Legacy Fund, to a maximum of $58,600. Each gift is tax deductible. 

With financial stress one of the biggest barriers to students completing their degree, donations can be made to support study bursaries – valued at $2,500 each – to help students cover essentials such as rent, food, textbooks, transport and technology. 

“Receiving this bursary gives me that bit of breathing room I need,” said Bachelor of Psychology student Emerson. “I don’t have to choose between a shift and a study session, or between fuel and Wi-Fi.” 

Donations to the new UniSC Milbi Centre will support the rescue and rehabilitation of endangered sea turtles, as well as novel research on vulnerable marine species. 

“Every sick and injured turtle that arrives at the Milbi Centre for treatment has a story,” said UniSC marine biologist Professor Kathy Townsend. “Community support helps us give each one the best possible outcome.” 

By backing critical research through UniSC’s National PTSD Research Centre, donors can support clinical trials for innovative therapies like Reconsolidation Therapy and improve treatment outcomes for veterans, first responders and people affected by trauma and PTSD.  

Centre director Professor Alain Brunet said that for 1.4 million Australians living with PTSD, better treatment could not come soon enough.   
 
“This is a way for the community to help make that treatment a reality,” Professor Brunet said.