I’m pictured, alongside my friend Ngan Louey, in this photo which has been used to promote Deakin’s anniversary. We were fortunate to experience life on-site, known as ‘residence’ at the Waurn Ponds campus.
Starting in 1984, there were just 108 students living on res, most of whom came from rural areas. We were both pursuing a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education respectively, and our first impressions of the Deakin campus reflected its modest beginnings: portable classrooms connected by muddy paths. The University was still in its infancy then.
Ngan and I first met at one of the iconic bush dances organised by the then Residence Manager. These dances, along with other social events, were instrumental in bringing students together, fostering connections and building a strong sense of community.
Many of the friendships we formed during those four years at res remain a significant part of our lives today. Now, over 40 years later, Ngan and I are still best friends. We frequently catch up with others who also lived on residence and enjoy reliving the cherished memories of those formative years.
Our time at Deakin, particularly our experiences on residence, truly represents some of the best years of our lives.
