Armed with spatulas, sponges, and lawnmowers, Avondale University students stepped beyond their classrooms and dedicated Friday March 21 to give back through Serve Day. At Morisset High School, students set up early to cook and distribute free pancakes to brighten the morning for students and staff. Near the town centre in Morisset, another team ran afree car wash, scrubbing and rinsing vehicles providing a helpful service. Meanwhile, the third team were out in the community, mowing lawns and tidying yards for residents who needed an extra hand.
Serve Day was a key moment in Festival of Faith, reinforcing the values of kindness and community impact. As the week of spiritual reflection came to an end, students left with a renewed sense of purpose, one that extends beyond the university and into the lives of those around them. Service isn’t just a one-day event, it’s a way of life.
In a remarkable display of camaraderie and resilience, nine boys from Avondale University, set out on their own 10 day Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge. Nedd Brockman, a 24 year old electrician from Sydney, Australia, became a household name when he ran from Perth to Bondi in just 46 days in 2022. The purpose of the run? To inspire people to do more for themselves and for the homeless. Always pushing his limits, his latest feat #NeddsUncomfortableChallenge saw Nedd raise almost $5M for Homelessness.
Known as Tired & Inspired for this challenge, the Avondale boys set out to run 12.8km every day to raise money for those experiencing homelessness. Initially aiming to raise a few hundred, their ambitions rose to $1,610—one dollar for every kilometer Nedd ran. Remarkably, they reached this goal by the third day and ultimately almost tripled it, raising a total of $4,663 (as of November 5th).
“On ABS Census night in 2021, more than 122,000 people were estimated to be experiencing homelessness in Australia.”
– Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australian Government
One of the participants Harry Callaghan said “I was inspired by Nedd himself as he was just such a relatable guy who was a sparkie from the country, yet he was able to make such a difference. Everyone always thinks about or says they would love to make a difference but very rarely act upon those thoughts, but Nedd did so it just gave me inspiration to make a challenge for myself.” After sharing with his friends 5 boys travelled to Sydney eager to witness Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge. This experience ignited their enthusiasm, and as they returned a few days later and their team grew from five to nine. The group also made a memorable impression with a “fat lady ain’t singing” sign referencing a previous Instagram post in which Nedd’s quote of the day was “It ain’t over until the fat lady sings, and she ain’t singing”. This humorous gesture not only lightened the mood as this day was particularly tough for Nedd but also caught his attention, further deepening their connection to his cause. The boys found it incredibly inspiring to witness someone so dedicated to making a difference, reinforcing their own commitment to their challenge.
Despite being split for a few days and having to persist with the challenge separately, the boys carried on even in hot and remote conditions. When reunited they kept each other motivated which made even the toughest days manageable. Jarrod Sinclair emphasised the importance of teamwork: “Surround yourself with people that are going to help you achieve it.”
On their final day, the ’Tired & Inspired’ initially felt disappointment as they arrived to find that no one had shown up to support them. The empty space at the start line left them feeling disheartened. However, as they did more laps around the University, something remarkable happened. Jarrod recalled, “In my head, I was like, no one’s there. And then it was just kind of caught us off guard when we came around the corner and everyone was there cheering us on. It was pretty sick.” The energy of their friends and supporters propelled them forward, creating a powerful sense of community. As they completed their final laps, the atmosphere was electric. Tanner remarked, “Everyone made posters with our faces on it and tacky cool posters. It was amazing” The boys celebrated their achievement, capturing the moment with photos and cheers, marking not only their accomplishment but also raising money and awareness for homelessness.
Harry’s piece of encouragement to anyone considering a similar challenge: “Just get out there and try something, have a crack. You never know what you are capable of if you do not try. Nedd says it best, but it is so true: ‘Get comfortable being uncomfortable, just keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep showing up.’”
Through their dedication, these nine boys have not only made a difference in their community but have also embodied the spirit of support and perseverance that Nedd Brockman inspires in all of us.
Tired & Inspired:
Harry Callaghan
Jarrod Sinclair
Tanner Hagen
Elijah Morton
Justin Renfrew
Nathan Smith
Reuben Thomas
Ben Lewis
Sonny Martin
You can still donate to Tired & Inspired: https://www.neddsuncomfortablechallenge.com/fundraisers/TiredInspired
If Sydney Wolverton was to encourage others to seek growth and challenges themselves, she wanted to as well. So, she ran for president of the Avondale Students’ Association this year. As she explains in this question and answer, “It seemed like an incredible opportunity to use my gifts to walk alongside others who need a friend or a voice.”
How would you describe yourself and yourself as a leader?
I’m relatable and vibrant. I love connecting with others and strengthening my competencies in different skillsets and hobbies. As a leader, I love growing with the people with whom I work alongside. I love to encourage and empower where I can. And I value reflection and using hindsight as teaching tools.
Why did you choose to study at Avondale?
My sister came to Avondale and never used a negative word to describe her experience. I didn’t know what I wanted to study but eventually felt an undeniable calling. It just made sense to grow into this community and develop more of myself here.
What makes you smile and why?
Music, travel, basketball, any sport, really, or any opportunity to be active, honestly. Smoothie bowls also make me smile. But my family and friends make me smile the most. I feel most me when invested in these things.
Who’s your hero?
Each member of my family has such an amazing influence on me. My closest friends, too. But to give a name of someone I don’t know personally, I’d say Kelsey Plum. She’s a Women’s National Basketball Association All-Star and champion. I watched her play at home in Washington when I was little. She’s a huge reason I play basketball and am motivated to grow myself with God’s leading every day. Her testimony inspires me and reminds me my own is valuable.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learnt in life?
Trust in and reliance on others isn’t easy but is one of the greatest catalysts for personal growth.
What advice would you give to a new student at Avondale?
Don’t compare your experience to somebody else’s. Find yourself and what works for you. It’s easy to compare yourself with others in such a close-knit community, but it’s important to still be you and to grow into the person you were designed to be.
Why did you run for student president? And how will you measure success?
I love people and care deeply for those in my community. I just want to help and be the difference craved by myself and others. “Success” sounds like a destination. A better way to measure it in this role is to do it each day—to recall the impact I’ve made on my community or just one person’s life, even my own, and trust that each moment of positive change is a win.
Ryan Selidio describes himself as a chill guy who likes spending time with others and making new friends. It’s one of the reasons he ran for president of the Avondale Nursing Students’ Association this year. As he explains in this question and answer, “I want others to be the best they can.”
How would you describe yourself and yourself as a leader?
Five foot, eight inches (eight-and-a-half on a good day), 80 per cent Filipino, 20 Papua New Guinean. I’m relatable and approachable. I want others to be the best they can. And I care deeply about student representation and welfare.
Why did you choose to study at Avondale?
To find a life partner . . . jokes. As a missionary kid, I heard about Avondale as a place that offered Christ-centred higher education, and I wanted a closer relationship with God. I also heard about the reputation of the nursing program as one of the best in Australia.
What makes you smile and why?
Filipino food—it’s good for the soul. The Los Angeles Lakers winning a basketball game. Good company for lifelong memories. And knowing I made a difference to a patient’s wellbeing.
Who’s your hero?
My dad. He taught me the value of resilience, independence and having a relationship with God.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learnt in life?
You can always rely on God and your loved ones when you need help.
What advice would you give to a new student at Avondale?
Balance your studies and the Avondale experience, especially if you’re studying nursing. Meet new people—don’t be afraid. Get involved. And go to church.
Why did you run for student president?
I want the students to feel included and connected. I want to ensure they feel a sense of belonging on the Sydney campus, enjoy their Avondale experience and find the nursing journey rewarding.
Meet Brian. He’s a triplet to twin sisters and is completing a Diploma of Outdoor Leadership and a Bachelor of Nursing at Avondale University. Yes, you read that right: outdoor recreation and nursing.
Brian’s on a journey to become a rescue paramedic. He attended a high school that did a rescue and response for a small community. “It’s called CERT [Community Emergency Response Team]. I got to participate a few times and it lit a spark. I love helping people in chaotic, emerging situations.”
The help is not just physical. Brian wants to bring emotional support—peace and calmness—and, if the opportunity arises, spiritual support, too.
Avondale’s small class sizes have helped Brian. “You’re not a number on a page. You’re a person. As soon as I walked into my classroom, I felt welcomed.” He appreciated the extra attention from lecturers, who, despite doing their own study and balancing work and home life, invest personally in students. Brian mentions extra study periods, as an example.
Coming from Tennessee in the USA, Brian says, “I never would’ve dreamed I’d come to Australia. I thought I’d be in medicine and computer science working in robotics. But now I’m pursuing rescue, in nursing, in a foreign country. God takes you to places, and you continue to just have to follow those leadings prayerfully.”
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