Highly Commended/Staff Champion category

Ms. Heather Gill, a dedicated volunteer at Queen’s College, University of Melbourne, has been a driving force behind the establishment and operation of the Queen’s Op Shop. Her initiative addresses the significant issue of student-generated waste by creatively repurposing and redistributing items left behind at the end of the academic year. Heather’s commitment to sustainability and waste reduction has earned her the Community Engagement Award at the 2023 University of Melbourne Sustainability Awards.

GGAA24_Staff Champion_UoM_Heather Gill

Impacts and Benefits

  • Established the first Op Shop at Melbourne University’s colleges, significantly reducing landfill waste.
  • Managed the collection and redistribution of over 900 kgs of fabric items to Upparel for recycling since November 2023.
  • Supported six children through the Smith Family charity with funds raised from the Op Shop, promoting education and addressing poverty.

 

Leadership and Engagement

  • Initiated and led the Queen’s Op Shop, involving students and staff in sustainability efforts and creating a lasting impact on the college community.
  • Organised creative workshops and repurposing activities, fostering a culture of recycling and sustainability within the college.
  • Collaborated with the University’s Sustainability Team, supporting campus initiatives and mentoring students in sustainability projects.

 

Wider Societal Impact

  • Provided a model for other colleges and universities to follow, inspiring similar sustainability initiatives.
  • Engaged the broader community through workshops and events, promoting the reuse and recycling of materials.
  • Contributed to the University of Melbourne’s sustainability efforts, impacting over 1000 staff and students and supporting campus-wide initiatives like the Thrift Market and Circular Economy Fair.
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Past Winners

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Highly Commended/Staff Champion category

Ms. Heather Gill, a dedicated volunteer at Queen’s College, University of Melbourne, has been a driving force behind the establishment and operation of the Queen’s Op Shop. Her initiative addresses the significant issue of student-generated waste by creatively repurposing and redistributing items left behind at the end of the academic year. Heather’s commitment to sustainability and waste reduction has earned her the Community Engagement Award at the 2023 University of Melbourne Sustainability Awards.

GGAA24_Staff Champion_UoM_Heather Gill

Impacts and Benefits

  • Established the first Op Shop at Melbourne University’s colleges, significantly reducing landfill waste.
  • Managed the collection and redistribution of over 900 kgs of fabric items to Upparel for recycling since November 2023.
  • Supported six children through the Smith Family charity with funds raised from the Op Shop, promoting education and addressing poverty.

 

Leadership and Engagement

  • Initiated and led the Queen’s Op Shop, involving students and staff in sustainability efforts and creating a lasting impact on the college community.
  • Organised creative workshops and repurposing activities, fostering a culture of recycling and sustainability within the college.
  • Collaborated with the University’s Sustainability Team, supporting campus initiatives and mentoring students in sustainability projects.

 

Wider Societal Impact

  • Provided a model for other colleges and universities to follow, inspiring similar sustainability initiatives.
  • Engaged the broader community through workshops and events, promoting the reuse and recycling of materials.
  • Contributed to the University of Melbourne’s sustainability efforts, impacting over 1000 staff and students and supporting campus-wide initiatives like the Thrift Market and Circular Economy Fair.

Supported by

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Related finalists

Other finalists