Griffith community celebrates one year until GC2018

Current and past Griffith University student interns with GOLDOC.

The Gold Coast is celebrating one year until the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

To mark this special occasion Griffith University joined the communityat a gala event at Surfers Paradise Beach, with appearances from our elite athletes and internship students.

Elite athletes Madi Wilson and Emma McKeon in the new Griffith University Aquatic Centre at Gold Coast campus.
Elite athletes Madi Wilson and Emma McKeon in the new Griffith University Aquatic Centre at Gold Coast campus.

Griffith’s new $16 million Aquatic Centre has also been opened as part of thecelebrations.

Vice Chancellor and President Professor Ian O’Connor said Griffith University had been a part of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games journey from its early stages and was proud to work with the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) as the official University partner for the Games.

“Through our partnership, Griffith is able to offer students unique and meaningful internships with GOLDOC, as well as sporting and academic scholarships, staff secondments and research opportunities,” he said.

“The Commonwealth Games provide a wonderful opportunity to showcase the Gold Coast as a world class city, and as official University partner, Griffith looks forward to contributing to what will be one of the most remarkable Games on record.”

Griffith making history — our significant partnership milestones

  • Apply now for an internship with the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation.
    Griffith University interns outside of GOLDOC Headquarters.

    The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Organising Corporation (GOLDOC) currently hosts dozens of Griffith interns across a range of disciplines includingSport Management,Engineering,Communications,MarketingandInformation Technology. This number will total more than 250 during the life of the partnership, with 130 students able to undertake internships during the actual staging of GC2018 — an experience no other University can offer. Apply now for a GC2018 internship.

  • The links with Griffith University’s elite sporting program have also been strengthened after science studentCameron McEvoywas named as an Official GC2018 Ambassador. Cameron has also been named the first Griffith Games Champion, representing the face of the University’s involvement with GC2018. More Griffith Games Champions will be announced as we build up to GC2018
  • Bachelor of Public Relations and Communications student Rowan Crothers has been awarded the first Griffith University and Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Sporting Excellence Scholarship.
    Paralympian and Bachelor of Public Relations and Communications student Rowan Crothers received the first Griffith GC2018 scholarship.

    Griffith will offer seven Griffith University and Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Scholarships during its partnership. So far five scholarships have been awarded for Academic or Sporting Excellence.

  • Griffith University and GOLDOC have developed a strong working relationship in the lead-up to GC2018 with Griffith graduates now comprising about 17 per cent of all GOLDOC employees.
  • Griffith’s commitment to sporting excellence through innovative research, teaching, sports scholarships and supporting elite athletes was reinforced with statistics placing Griffith in the top two Australian universities who had the most tier one elite athletes with the Australian Institute for Sport. The campus is also adjacent to the Parklands Project which will be transformed into the Commonwealth Games Athletes Village and home to 6600 athletes and officials during GC2018.
  • Griffith Art graduate Elise Appleton shows off her Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games design

    Griffith University graduate Elise Appleton had her design work on display across the world, after her design was chosen for the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) emblem.

  • Griffith University architecture students have produced 1:100 scale model of Carrara stadium for use in the production of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
  • Griffith’s facilities will be used by Team Australia and the Commonwealth Games Association in the lead up to and during GC2018.