Surfing one day, fishing the next.

Students who live on campus in Warrnambool truly do get the best of both worlds, being only a five-minute drive from the ocean, and a two-minute walk from the banks of the pristine Hopkins River. We recently chatted about what it’s like to experience the tranquillity of regional Victoria while living on campus at Warrnambool with three of our current residents, Joseph, Marnath and Elizabeth.   

Elizabeth Mckenzie Ebbels is in her second year of studying a Bachelor of Nursing. She completed high school at Kardinia International College in Geelong, growing up in nearby Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula. 

Marnath Pel Kun is in her first year, also studying a Bachelor of Nursing. She completed her high school at Heritage College, growing up in Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs. 

Finally, Joseph Parsons is in his first year of an Environmental Science (Marine Biology) degree, having completed high school at Catherine McAuley College in Bendigo. Impressively, Joseph is the recipient of three separate scholarships – a Warrnambool Residential Scholarship, a Deakin Residential Experience Grant and a South West Philanthropic Scholarship. 

For all three students, Warrnambool’s idyllic campus location was a real draw card. “Being by the river has brought a sense of home with me,” says Elizabeth. “I’ve always lived next to Swan Bay and seeing the Hopkins River from my room is something that I really appreciate as part of living on res. As someone who loves a barbecue it also provides an immaculate backdrop for our communal deck area. On sunny days there’s nothing we enjoy more than walking down and having a picnic on the river shore.”  

Like Elizabeth, Joseph has also made the most of the campus’s prime location. 

Joseph highlights that living on residence has also provided a supportive transition to living away from home for the first time. “Warrnambool is a beautiful place and the people here are magnificent. The benefits of being in a small community like this one is that you have so many people around to help and support you.” 

Marnath agrees, “I’m very grateful for the Deakin Res Staff, they’ve been so welcoming and beyond helpful. It’s been really beneficial to have a support network when you’re away from home.”  

Joseph notes that having the opportunity to meet and live nearby other residents who are undertaking the same course or studying the same subjects is also a bonus, “…it makes it really easy to stay interested in the course and creates a good network of mates.”  

Elizabeth also appreciates being part of the Warrnambool residences tight-knit and welcoming community.

Interested in finding out for yourself what our Warrnambool residences has to offer? Why not arrange a tour? Contact the Warrnambool Reception Team via wsradmin@deakin.edu.au or phone (03) 5563 3111 for more information.