Harmony Week: Everyone belongs at Deakin Res

This week we have been celebrating Harmony Week, which culminates today – Sunday 21 March with Harmony Day. Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. This is something we are very passionate about here on res. Our Belong, Balance, Broaden wellbeing and engagement framework underpins our approach and each year we welcome over 2000 students from across Victoria, interstate and overseas, and support them to live alongside each other.

We have loved having the opportunity to sit down with our 2021 residents and learn what this years theme ‘Everyone belongs’ means to them, how living on res strengthens this and what it feels like to be part of a big and diverse community.  

Here’s what our residents had to say:

Abhilash Mittal – Melbourne Burwood Campus: “The real winner for me is the reception and the staff, they are super friendly and professional at the same time. Being an international student and not knowing anyone when I moved to this country, living on res is a pretty big and happy community.

Bradley Mcgee – Melbourne Burwood Campus: “Everyone at Deakin Res is so easy to talk to, they are always up for a chat, whenever, where ever, everyone is just there for each other”.

Jasmine Back – Melbourne Burwood Campus: “Living on res has been a great way for me to meet new people and like minded people so you always feel like you’ve got someone to talk to and everyone is super supportive and you never feel alone”.

Kyra Byrne – Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus: “There is always someone you can connect with and talk to, you never feel alone”.

Lea Karla Sanchez – Melbourne Burwood Campus: “The RL’s recognising me and calling me by name and the reception staff. Plus all of the zoom meetings, as I live in a studio apartment, so can feel lonely sometimes, but when i hop on to zoom and  see other resi’s I feel like I am connected to them”.

Luke Alexander – Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus: “Being part of a community where everyone supports you and helps you to be the best version yourself”.

Oliver Romanin – Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus: “Living in a community where everyone is your mate, and you feel like one big family”

Reema Seshadri – Melbourne Burwood Campus: “Having the opportunity to catch up for a movie with friends or taking a walk along the creek makes me feel like I belong in this community”.

Tully Fattore – Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus:  Whilst we are all from different places and have different backgrounds, Res brings us all together and is a place where everyone can be themselves to achieve a common goal”.

We hope you all have a wonderful day and if you’re looking for some great tunes to listen to whilst you hang out with your fellow resi’s that showcases the range of cultures, influences and backgrounds that make up our Deakin community. Then look no further than this global spotify playlist as voted by you and your fellow Deakin peers. Singing along is encouraged!