March 31, 2014

Kooloobong Village celebrates its first birthday

Twelve months ago, on Friday 22 March 2013, Kooloobong Village rolled out the red carpet, stocked the slushy machine, blew up balloons, organised ushers, baggage handlers and bus drivers, all in preparation for the arrival of 30 students from the Comfort Inn. Over the next three days, more than 150 more students arrived from Flinders Motel, Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort and International House.

“Twelve months ago we were just learning to walk and now we are running, full steam ahead,” Jodie Lawer, Assistant Student Residence Manager, said.

Since the grand opening, KBV has seen the arrival and departure of more than 1,000 students from more than 40 different countries. Six of the seven members of the International Advisory Board Members have visited the site since it was opened.

“We are proud to be offering events and activities designed specifically against a wellbeing program model developed here at KBV. This has resulted in the creation of weekly events and activities, all of which focus on our Wheel of Wellbeing - Body, Mind, Spirit, People, Place and Planet,” Ms Lawer said.

Abbey Cubit, a second year Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Communications student from Bundanoon in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, said living at KBV meant she was able to instantly become part of a community and mix with people from all over the world.

“From week one you have an instant community. It can be as bustling or as calm as you require ... Kooloobong has been such a fabulous transition from the family home to adult life. The campus is so convenient, with everything within reach.”

The range of activities put on for residents, everything from sports and study groups to tie-dye Saturday and gardening sessions, is an added bonus.

“No matter where your hometown is, everyone finds their place here at Kooloobong Village. This makes studying at University, working part time jobs and eating two minutes noodles just that little bit easier.”