Monday 14 October 2019 10:55pm
A week after the tragic death of second-year student Sophia Crestani the University community turned its grief into action, with more than 2,500 staff and students turning out yesterday to clean the streets of North Dunedin in her honour.
Sophia died on Saturday 5 October, at a flat party on Dundas Street.
Yesterday afternoon’s clean-up was organised by the Otago University Students’ Association (OUSA) and the University at the request of Sophia’s family.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne and OUSA President James Heath at the clean-up. Photos: Sharron Bennett.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne today told the Otago Bulletin Board that she was very grateful to all involved.
“Thank you so much to all of the Otago and Dunedin whānau for helping with the clean-up on Sunday.
“Thank you to all the University staff who helped at short notice to make the day happen, including the volunteers who did not hesitate to come forward to work with OUSA and the DCC. I really appreciate the extra hours that everyone put in and the time you took out of your weekend.
“It was both inspiring and encouraging to see staff, students and other members of the community pitching in side-by-side to make the afternoon so successful.”
She told media on Sunday that the clean-up was incredibly important to Sophia’s family and friends.
“But it’s also important to the wider Dunedin community, so many of whom have contacted the University trying to find out what they could do to help.”
The amount of rubbish removed is staggering. It included 13 skips, totalling 16.8 tonnes of rubbish, 500kg of glass, and one load of furniture on a flat deck truck.
“I know that Sophia’s family will be grateful that we honoured their wishes in this way,” Professor Hayne says.
One of Sophia’s flatmates expressed their collective gratitude.
“We just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who came out today. It’s a really nice way to honour Sophia and we’re really grateful to everyone who came out to clean up.”
Dunedin's new Mayor Aaron Hawkins (right) joins students at the clean-up.
Among those collecting rubbish was Dunedin’s new mayor Aaron Hawkins, who was proud of his staff at the DCC who got in behind it.
“The University is at the heart of our city, physically and culturally, which means that we all get to share and celebrate its successes, but it also means that we all share in its moments of grief, of which this is one of them.”
OUSA President James Heath addresses the crowd.
OUSA President James Heath says the day was outstandingly successful, finishing earlier than planned due to the incredible volume of people helping.
“I'd like to thank all the students, University, DCC, and OUSA staff and community members who came out today. It was extremely heartening to see so many students take time out from their exam study and everyone else who took time out of their weekend to help today.
“We could not have had a better response - truly showing the strength of our community. We did this for Sophia."
See more photos from Sharron Bennett below:
