On its 16th Winter Trip, The Big Lift from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is
setting itself across regional New South Wales and Queensland on a mission to share its
volunteering movement across the country.
Founded on the philosophy of ‘Paying it Forward’, The Big Lift is a student-run volunteer
organisation that takes eighty students on a nine-day bus trip through regional Australia to
complete various volunteering projects. These include painting, gardening, cleaning and
simple construction and maintenance tasks. With a focus on community engagement, The
Big Lift works closely with towns to provide help where it is needed most.
“The Big Lift is more than just a volunteering society – it is an opportunity to become part of
a community. Importantly, it is a community where everyone is accepted for who they are
and connected by their passion to pay it forward. Students are pushed outside the comfort
of their city lives to engage in manual labour, connect with townspeople and listen to their
stories,” says President of The Big Lift, Amelia Kraszewski.
The Big Lift bus will visit Deepwater from Tuesday, 7th July 2026 (evening), departing
Wednesday, 8th July 2026 (afternoon), where approximately 40 students will lend a helping
hand across a range of community projects throughout the town.
Volunteers will work alongside local organisations and community groups such as the School
of Arts Hall and the Deepwater Railway Station to provide practical support through activities
such as gardening, maintenance, cleaning and other community-focused projects. Through
these projects, students will have the opportunity to connect with local residents while
contributing to initiatives that support the wider Deepwater community. The Big Lift is
grateful for the support and collaboration of Deepwater Hall Committee, who have been instrumental in organising the visit and identifying opportunities for students to contribute to the community.
“Paying it forward lies at the heart of The Big Lift’s core values. It’s what drives our
commitment to wholehearted and honest work as we volunteer across rural and remote
areas, helping to bring country and city communities closer together,” says The Big Lift
volunteer, Aaron Choy.
UTS students will depart Sydney on Saturday 4th July 2026 with their trip spanning over
nine days. The Big Lift organises and partakes in various volunteering projects throughout the year
including Sydney-based service projects, Little Lifts (weekend volunteering trips focusing on
one town), Microlifts (single-day trips focusing on one town) and fundraisers.
In the past, The Big Lift has volunteered with Clean Up Australia Day, National Plant a Tree
Day, Red Cross, Ted Noffs Foundation, Cancer Council, The Bower Reuse and Repair Centre
and many other community organisations across Australia.
