Another great year for the Port Macquarie campus at the Cancer Council Relay For Life is drawing to a close.

2012 was an especially motivating year with the University supporting Relay for Life through corporate sponsorship.

"It was a pleasure to be more closely involved with the organising committee, affirming to see our logo on the media materials and a very satisfying opportunity to raise our profile in the community at the Healthy Living Expo event during the relay" said Raelene Kenny one of the organisers at the Port Macquarie campus.

There were 28 registered team members representing 3 teams made up of Bachelor of Nursing students, graduates, staff and their families. One of these teams was made up entirely of current Bachelor of Nursing students and their families. This team has created a fabulous Relay For Life web page and are currently ranked 11th in order of funds raised.

Across the 3 teams $3,546 was raised for the Cancer Council via web based donations, sales of fundraising chocolates, a BBQ and a second-hand hand book sale.

"We also had the pleasure of taking our new campus gazebo out of the box and raising it's walls for the first time. After lugging all 36 kilos of the frame plus 'walls' to our team site it was incredibly rewarding to see the final product stand ready to face any weather that might befall us. We were all very proud to see our unmistakable logo and flags on the field." said Raelene Kenny.

There were many moments throughout the 2012 Relay For Life that reflect upon the successful student community that has grown at the Port Macquarie campus.

"When joining a graduate and third year Bachelor of Nursing student on the field I was privy to the tail end of their conversation - they had been discussing graduate year programs, opportunities for employment and choice of specialist nursing fields to pursue. As they parted there was a clear connection that had been formed during their hour or so on the field together. It was wonderful to witness our campus graduate support the life decision-making of a current student without bias or personal opinion, but with open sharing, professional discussion and direction to resources that will help them along their graduate path. It was equally wonderful to see such a beautiful example of the professional graduate we all work so hard to develop." said Raelene.

The 2012 Port Macquarie Relay For Life team would like to thank everyone involved from the Faculty of Health and the School of Nursing and Midwifery and also a big thank you to all the organisers and volunteers, especially those who travelled north from Newcastle to join the team on the field.

"We look forward to flying the flag again in 2013." said Raelene Kenny.