Vets Beyond Borders Australia

Published 15 Jun 2011

A Celebration of Diversity Week and Fundraiser to Improve the Health of Animals and People.

Mary-Kate Woodrow and Lani Anagnostou
University of Queensland

At 3.30pm on the 27th of May the Amazing Race around UQ Gatton Campus began! Nineteen teams of five students and staff competed against each other to score the most points at ten internationally themed challenges spread out across the campus.  Countries/continents represented included Australia, India, China, England, France, Africa, Chile, America, Canada and New Zealand. 

Generous businesses from around the Gatton region donated prizes, such as gift vouchers and gym memberships. Prizes were awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners as well as to the best dressed team. Our main sponsor, Hills Pet Nutrition also donated five clinical anatomy atlases for the 1st place winners.

We would like to thank UQ’s Equity office for awarding us with a Diversity week grant, Hills Pet Nutrition and the University of Queensland Veterinary Student Association for financially supporting us, as well as the Gatton Sports Centre, Kazam Hair and Beauty, Subway and Target for the donation of prizes.

All competitors and organisers had a fantastic time at ‘VBB’s Amazing Race’ and we hope that our efforts will assist in the fantastic work that Vets Beyond Borders performs in developing communities.
   
The Amazing Race was even reported in the local newspaper!

Article by the Gatton Star, local newspaper:

UQ students let their hair down and their creative juices flow last Friday as they dressed up in a range of colourful outfits to compete in their own ‘Amazing Race'.

The race was conducted in order to raise money for the Vets Beyond Borders (VBB) organisation which vaccinates and desexes animals in places such as India. With donations from some generous companies the students managed to raise about $1200 from the event.

President of the UQ Vets Beyond Borders Student Chapter, Mary-Kate Woodrow, said the race also celebrated the diversity of students on campus and was a great way for students to give towards a good cause.

“They (VBB) obviously have support from other people that fund-raise but the little amount that we can do makes a bit of difference,” Ms Woodrow said.“As students it's hard for us to go and practically help so being able to raise funds is an important way we can help. Also this week at UQ its Diversity Week so the race is designed to celebrate the different cultures that we have here on campus as well.”

About 100 students, in teams of five, competed in the race with a range of creative costumes including the Simpsons family, The Wiggles and super heroes.
 There were 10 different international checkpoints the students had to race to and complete with each one involving challenges catered to the particular country of the stop.