Donna Tonkin: Rural medicine, reinvention and resilience

Navigating personal challenges and career detours, Donna Tonkin found her true calling in rural medicine at UOW.

The power of two: Grace McCarthy and Payyazhi Jayashree’s impact on UOW

An instant connection sparked a collaboration that has made UOW’s Business School a leader in transnational education

Meet the artist behind UOW’s Disability Guide cover

Tracy Davis on art, inclusion and finding her passion

Welcome to The Stand Magazine

We showcase the impact of UOW students, teaching, research, and graduates on the world. Our mission is to share inspiring stories that educate and motivate, highlighting the transformative power of education in addressing global challenges.

50 Voices

This year, as part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations, we have launched 50 Voices - a content series that celebrates the people who have made UOW what it is today. From labs to libraries, lawns to lecture theatres, hear unique stories from students, staff, alumni, donors, and community members who have had a lasting impact.

Articles

Putting a lid on recycling myths

National Recycling Week (11–17 November) aims to improve recycling knowledge and promote better practices. We asked UOW's Dominique Di Leva to set the record straight on some of the most persistent recycling misconceptions.

Healing, heritage, and higher learning: Sharyn McDonogh’s UOW journey

At 60, Sharyn McDonogh is proof that it’s never too late to rewrite your story. A survivor, scholar, and First Nations advocate, Sharyn’s healing through “academic grounding” inspires all who meet her.

How changemaking enhances mental health

At 22, I found myself working on a grassroots project just outside Hanoi, Vietnam. This small initiative aimed to support children living with a disability and their families, and I was inspired by the profound impact it had on the community.

Associate Professor Christopher Patterson recognised for life-saving act

When Professor Valerie Harwood went into sudden cardiac arrest last year while at Hangdog Climbing Gym in Wollongong, Associate Professor Christopher Patterson sprang into action.

Beyond the debate

As students from around Australia gathered at UOW for a national debating championship, the spotlight was on UOW’s unique approach to debating; fostering social connections, skills development and respect above all else.

Why community gardens have taken root along the South Coast

A new food survey is examining the rise of and demand for urban agriculture in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.