People across USC’s South East Queensland regions have shown how much they value their University’s student success and research work, with more than $268,000 pledged on its annual Giving Day.

USC Development Office Director Russell Ousley said more than 600 supporters gave to G-Day on 26 May in the specific areas of student support, mental health, conservation and environment.

“The beneficiaries are students in challenging financial circumstances and researchers making positive changes in the world through USC’s Thompson Institute, Detection Dogs for Conservation and Koala Vaccine team,” Mr Ousley said.

“Some people chose to give multiple gifts to different areas, while generous donors matched community donations to increase the impact.”

He thanked the USC and wider communities for their spirit and generosity, including almost 40 individuals and businesses that created their own online pages to collectively raise $30,000.

“G-Day is an opportunity for USC to forge stronger community ties while raising awareness of the importance of our teaching and research work,” he said.

“The Thompson Institute is already opening up more places to offer free mental health and suicide prevention training to members of the community.

“Professor of Microbiology Peter Timms can now protect more koalas and start the koala vaccine registration process.

“And every dollar donated to the Detection Dogs will go to the care and training of our dogs so they can locate and save more at-risk wildlife.”