Busy Semester for Health Science Students

Health Science students from The University of Notre Dame Australia, have been livening up the streets of Notre Dame and Fremantle this semester, with a busy schedule of sporting and health promotion events. As part of their Sports Event Management course, third year students organised three events including the annual West End Dash, the Bather’s Beach Triathlon and the first annual Lightning Carnival. The West End Dash – an event which sees a section of High street blocked off for a 110 metre race - drew a large crowd of students, staff and the local community cheering the runners on. Health and physical education student and event coordinator Kate Roberts commented: “The races made the entire University stop and look! We had such a high demand of people wanting to participate which was fantastic. All in all it was great to see everyone come together and enjoy themselves.” True to form the Bather’s Beach triathlon proved to be a great success with teams bravely heading down to the popular local beach very early in the morning to swim, run and paddle. The first annual Lighting Carnival finished off the week for the sports management students, with teams from different schools competing against each other in events such as soccer and volleyball. A Fremantle Dockers team also entered in the day’s event - putting the other competitors to the test. Students from their Health Promotions unit have also had a busy time with their assigned task of promoting different not-for-profit health organisations throughout the University and Fremantle. Groups are raising awareness and funds by promoting an event their chosen organisation holds. One popular event was the Leukaemia foundation’s World Greatest Shave, where staff and students came together to shave, colour, or even wax off their hair as a way of raising money. Other events being organised by the students are the Cancer Council’s, Relay for life; Activ Foundation’s, Hat Frenzy Friday; the Heart Foundation’s, World Youth Tobacco Free Day and the Red Cross’, World Red Cross Day. Health Promotions Unit Coordinator, Fiona Farringdon said these events give students a great sense of personal satisfaction that they have contributed to the community. “It gives them the opportunity to experience how their degree could be used in the ‘real world’,” Ms Farringdon said