Cassandra Prigg hopes her term as Deakin University Student Association (DUSA) Warrnambool campus coordinator will see greater transport links between the town and campus.
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Ms Prigg grew up in Warrnambool and the Bachelor of Environmental Science student is currently half-way through her course and hopes to advocate for changes around the university which align with the student-body and her own views.
"There are things Deakin can do better which I intend to focus on," she said.
"Transport is an issue. There are buses to campus from town once an hour but they stop between 2.30-4pm and stop completely at 6pm on weekdays.
"There's also no bike path or pedestrian path to campus and while some people are happy to cycle along the highway, other's don't feel safe and comfortable to do so.
"Once I caught the wrong bus and I had to walk from Gateway Plaza to campus. I had to walk in the rain with no path and it wasn't the positive adventure I thought it might've been.
"I'm also passionate about the environment and sustainability and I know a lot of other students are and we need to be walking the walk when it comes to these practices."
The 24-year-old said she is proud to be a representative for the 550 university students after being voted in by her peers in September and commencing the role on November 1.
"I feel so passionate about the Warrnambool campus and community," she said.
"My main formal requirement is to have monthly campus meeting which I intend to open to all students. The rest of my role is what you make of it."
Ms Prigg said there is space for student clubs and societies to grow and part of DUSA's role was to inform students how to start their own groups. The association can also inform students on their rights and help out with legal advise and special consideration.
Ms Prigg hopes her 2020 term will see the Warrnambool and Deakin communities thrive together.
"Deakin is really important and special to me and I know it is for a lot of other people in the region," she said.
"I was studying in Melbourne before and I felt really alienated. I didn't wasn't sure about coming back to Warrnambool but the sense of community here is so great and I want to give back and make sure it continues."
"I'm very community focused and I want to make sure people value what we have here."
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