51³Ô¹Ïapp

What if you changed your mindset from what you can get to what you can give?

First Nations knowledge systems recognise all things are of and from the land. Country includes both living and non-living elements. It holds everything within the landscape, including Earth, Water and Sky Country, as well as people, animals, plants, and the stories that connect them.   

We exist in a reciprocal relationship with Country, and we are all responsible for caring for and giving back to Country. However, we often forget how challenging caring for Country can be. Western colonial-based cultural institutions (such as universities) rarely hold space for reciprocity with Country.

79% of Australians believe that climate change solutions can be found through collective community action. At the same time, we know there’s a volunteer shortage to undertake grassroots activities that move us towards climate action. By engaging in actions that prioritise ‘giving back’, we can become a part of a shared, genuine and authentic responsibility to care for and honour Country.

Caring for Country Leave is a proactive, culturally and environmentally just initiative, that provides UNSW ADA staff the opportunity to undertake up to four days additional leave per year to volunteer and give back to Country.

The Caring for Country Leave team has developed and soft-launched the Caring for Country Leave policy. Starting in 2025, staff in UNSW ADA will be able to undertake volunteering activities to help care for Country. The team has secured partnerships with several organisations including Randwick City Council, Greater Sydney Parklands, Greening Australia and Habitat for Humanity Australia.

The project has also gained significant visibility among UNSW stakeholders, generating interest from other faculties and from the Division of Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement.

We encourage you to partner with us to provide volunteer opportunities for our people to give back and care for Country.

Illustration by Merindah Funnell, 2024