THERE was a sudden spike in the population of Gulargambone yesterday (Monday 4 July, 2022) as almost 40 urban university students moved in for The Big Lift.

"Their art festival is coming soon in September so we're cleaning up the area near their sculptures," said University of Technology (UTS) student and Big Lift crew member Annie Lee.

"We removed dead trees and rubbish and we whipper snipped that area."

A student-run organisation at UTS, The Big Life have partnered with the Gulargambone Community Enterprises Co-operative to arrange the visit as around 80 students tour the countryside in two coaches, lending a hand to nine communities ranging in population up to about 500 people.

Technically, this is The Big Lift's 13th year but with two years derailed by the pandemic, their 13th trip to regional communities.

"We visit towns in NSW, Victoria and Queensland," Ms Lee said. "We send students out to do community work and to learn about regional communities and they really enjoy and appreciate regional areas."

Ms Lee says that the vast majority of the students have grown up in cities, attend university there and the media doesn't give them much of a clue about what happens out here.

"You don't see a lot about regional communities that is positive," she said. "So students might get the impression that it is pretty slow and boring unless something disastrous is happening."

"They don't really see how unique each place is unless we come and really explore."

"Our philosophy is about paying it forward and when we go in we hope we can make a difference."

The students are from all faculties with business, law, nursing, science and engineering all represented this trip.

Ashley Funk is a Sport & Exercise Management student from Sydney.

"I admire the passion that the locals all have for their town," she said.

"The sense of community and their willingness to support each other is really inspiring as it is something that the bigger cities often lack."

Jenny Lee (Design in Visual Communication) agrees that the trip has revealed much about small towns.

"The mindset the local people have to better each other and their community is absolutely incredible and inspiring to see," she said.

"It really shows how no matter how small the community, with passion and dedication anything is possible!"

Each year the UTS team select a region and visit towns within a certain radius of a larger centre.

In Gulargambone the team spent the night at the Central School and while their counterparts camped over and got involved in a project in Mendooran.

"All these towns have a lot of volunteer groups. We just call a local community group up and ask if we can visit," Ms Lee said.

 "A lot of the towns are super welcoming, they open their doors to us. We sleep in schools or wherever there's a wall, floor and door."

"It's a big task for them to organise for us and most times they make us lunch and dinner so we chat with them in a casual setting as well," she said.

"We hope they know how thankful we are to be so warmly welcomed."

On Sunday night the student volunteers were treated to dinner at Two Eight Two Eight provided by the Co-op members and returned for lunch before they headed off to Narrabri on Monday afternoon.

Ms Lee says one of the real benefits of The Big Lift, besides providing labour for local projects, is the understanding and awareness gained by the students who take part.

"Over the years a lot of the students say they would love to come and live in regional communities."

President of The Big Lift Ruvi Ratnayake says Gulargambone inspired the students in so many ways.

"From the way the community bought the post office when it was taken away from you to the incredible story of Two Eight Two Eight, it’s very evident that the Gulargambone community is one that is very resilient and ready to work hard," she said.

"The Big Lift is so appreciative of the community for welcoming us and allowing us the honour of staying and helping out. We are especially grateful for the amazing dinner and lunch provided at Two Eight Two Eight, as well as Annie’s incredible scones. Thank you for an incredible time and we hope to see you again one day!"