Feature: OT students team up to help Australia bush fire victims

Occupational therapy professor Anita Hamilton knew she had to do something when she heard about the bushfire disaster in Australia. Deemed "Australia's worst", the bushfires swept through the state of Victoria in February, wiping out homes, people, forests and animals. Born in Victoria state, the news hit close to home. Hamilton had to do something to help the victims.

So she rallied together 20 first-year MSc occupational therapy students to put on a fundraiser here in Edmonton. The fundraiser turned out to be a huge success with the airing of an Australian made film called "Kenny", a musical performance by the Aussie "busker" Jules, and the sale of Australian snacks and drinks. After two nights of fundraising, $1330.00 was raised for the Healesville Sanctuary.

The Healesville Sanctuary is one of Australia's most acclaimed sanctuaries with more than 200 species of Australian native animals in their natural habitat. These native animals and their habitat were devastated during the bushfires. The money raised will directly support the Australian Wildlife Health Centre that cares for animals injured and orphaned in the bushfire disaster.

Hamilton thanks all the volunteers for their help, Dean Martin Ferguson-Pell for allowing the team to use lecture theatre free of charge and Lester Lim for ensuring all technical difficulties were solved so the event would run smoothly.

Photos by Anita Hamilton