Christine Thompson's inspiring chapter in the UOW story

A detour on the road to destiny

Christine Thompson’s inspiring journey at the University of Wollongong almost never began.

In 1971, when UOW was still a fledgling campus of the University of New South Wales, Christine’s dreams of a ‘treechange’ nearly saw her continue up Mount Ousley Road—bypassing the campus entirely.

“I did my HSC in 1970 and was keen on forestry,” Christine recalls. “Back then, you applied to universities in writing. I wrote to the University of Sydney, only to receive a reply stating they didn’t accept women in their forestry degree.”

For those who have experienced her warmth and generosity firsthand—students, staff, alumni, and the wider UOW community—it’s hard to imagine the University without its beloved ambassador, ‘Chris.’ Yet, her initial dream of studying forestry at Sydney almost took her on a different path.

With that ambition cut short, Chris quickly pivoted, applying for a Commonwealth secondary teaching scholarship. The decision ultimately led her to UOW’s Wollongong campus, then a division of the University of New South Wales (UNSW), separate from the adjacent Wollongong Teachers’ College.

After completing Year 12 at Kiama High School, Chris’ decision to study Commerce and eventually pursue a Diploma of Education closer to home would shape not only her career but also her deep and lasting relationship with UOW—a relationship that has spanned decades as both a student and a staff member.

Christine Thompson (right) pictured at her UOW graduation ceremony in 1975, with childhood friend Carol Prosser, and Betty Prosser.

Life lessons from country to campus

Chris’ first teaching role took her far from home to the regional town of Parkes, an experience that tested her resilience.

“Like all young teachers across the state, I was cannon fodder in my first year of teaching,” she laughs. “I remember having to teach home economics—which made my mother laugh—to big, six-foot-eight farm blokes who wouldn’t even show up to class during the harvest!”

Despite the challenges, Chris made the most of her rural stint before successfully transferring back to Wollongong on the grounds of skills diversification. Before her retirement in 2008, Chris’ enduring career included teaching roles in history and Asian studies and serving as a career advisor at Smiths Hill High School.

That same year, she joined the UOW Campus Alumni Chapter as a volunteer, eventually becoming Chair in 2010. In this role, she inspired a group of more than 20 dedicated volunteers to run the Alumni Bookshop.

“I've seen people with tears in their eyes because they find that book that completes a collection, or the favourite book they lost a long time ago,” Chris says. “It’s just really nice when you’re able to do that.”

Chris is well-known for finding personal joy these simple moments dedicating her time and energy to others. Her generosity continues to change lives, as all money raised from book sales is committed to awards and scholarships for students. The UOW Alumni Bookshop Scholarship has funded equity scholarships for more than two decades and benefited more than 20 UOW students since its launch. During her tenure, Chris and the Alumni Bookshop team developed a reputation for providing not only financial assistance but also genuine encouragement and emotional support.

In 2017, Chris was granted a Fellowship of the University of Wollongong for her outstanding achievement and significant contribution—a recognition she reflects upon with her signature modesty: “It’s rewarding to help not just younger people through the bookshop, but also to see the faces of the parents, the families who are doing it tough, just completely light up with relief.”

"Let’s never forget that we have this strong, [independent] yet purposeful and courageous university..." says Chris Thompson. Photo: Michael Gray. 

Heart of the community

For Chris, UOW isn’t just a university—it’s a cornerstone of the Wollongong community. She is passionate about ensuring that, despite its growth, the university continues to honour its roots.

“It’s easy for universities to become these big, impersonal institutions, but UOW has never lost sight of the people who make it what it is. That’s what makes it special.”

She sees UOW as more than a place of education—it’s a hub of innovation, collaboration, and social change that celebrates its local heritage.

“Being local is a little bit of who you are and where you are. And there’s a little bit of Wollongong in all these people from UOW around the world, whether they’re in Dublin, London, the US…”

As UOW graduates–including Chris’ two children–make waves around the world, back on campus her love for UOW remains in peak condition. Advocating for the university’s role in shaping the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and changemakers is routine. And while attending to the Alumni Bookshop stall at Orientation Week, Chris shares with me her infectious enthusiasm for the 50 Voices of UOW project and seeing familiar faces at an upcoming Golden Graduates celebration.

Chris Thompson shares photos of her two children who are also UOW graduates. Photo: Michael Gray.

“I’m thrilled to be involved and so happy to mark the occasion of UOW’s 50th anniversary—even if that means I’m starting to feel a little ancient!” Chris laughs. “But honestly, I’m feeling fit and well, and I hope the university feels as fit and well as I do.”

As UOW continues to evolve, Chris hopes the next 50 years will see her beloved university remain a place where students—just like she and her children once were—can find their path, make connections, and leave with more than just a qualification.

“We’ve still got the ribbons out there to the local area, the ties,” Chris says. “And I hope that UOW always retains that strong local base because what happens with the far-flung campuses and the students coming in from far away is that they become part of that local ecosystem, too.”

“The University of Wollongong is so important for the development of the city and the regions, the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, and the whole of southern Sydney. Let’s never forget that we have this strong, [independent] yet purposeful and courageous university that’s happy to stand up there and say we do this well and we’re as good as…no, we’re better than anywhere else in a lot of cases!”