Foundation Day is used to recognise staff members’ outstanding contribution to university life and CSU’s birthday.

Pro-vice chancellor global engagement, Heather Cavanagh, presented Port Macquarie ResLife coordinator Meredith Gibson with a RED Award – recognising excellence day – for her work in the sexual harassment and consent program, Playing Right.

“This week across all the campuses there are celebrations to recognise 29 years of CSU’s involvement in university education,” professor Cavanagh said.

“Today I had the pleasure of presenting our ResLife coordinator Meredith Gibson with a RED Award for her work with the sexual harassment and consent program, Playing Right.”

In response to the Australian Human Rights Commission’s (AHRC) national report on sexual assault and sexual harassment at Australian universities, released in August 2017, all students living on all campuses at CSU were required to undertake the mandatory workshops during O-Week.

The unique face-to-face training, called Playing Right, was aimed at improving communication about sexual relationships and skills in bystander response.

“The program was the first of its kind and CSU wanted to take a proactive approach to sexual harassment and consent as a result of the report,” she said.

“Meredith was part of the organising team and was instrumental in the roll out here in Port Macquarie.

“The program has gone on to win national recognition as it looks at starting conversations with students about respecting each other to prevent sexual assault and harassment.

“And in turn become advocates in the community to shut down sexual assault when it does happen.”

ResLife coordinator Meredith Gibson said she was very excited about the award.

“The residence has only been in Port Macquarie this year so it has been really exciting to be on the front foot with this program and educate students at the very beginning about the need to have healthy conversations about respect,” Ms Gibson said.

“Being able to empower students around their rights and responsibilities in regards to consent has been really powerful and it is fantastic the program is now being recognised nationally and internationally.

“Our team leader has just taken this program to the United States showing them how we are talking to students about respect and consent which is great.”

Working closely with students everyday, Ms Gibson said she definitely feels the program has made a difference.

“I do think the work we have done with the program has made an impact on the students, even just changes to their language when they are talking to each other,” she said.

“One of the key messages is “it’s not a yes unless it’s a hell yes’ and after the program I know students are using that as a way to start conversations around consent which is encouraging.”