Wanderers Westfield W-League head coach Dean Heffernan and assistant coach Catherine Cannuli put aside their fears to abseil down a nine-story building as part of Western Sydney University’s inaugural Chancellor’s Challenge on Giving Day.
While they were well harnessed and expertly guided, it was a daunting and exhilarating few minutes for Heffernan and Cannuli as they slowly made their way down the Peter Shergold Building at the University campus in Parramatta on Wednesday morning.
As part of Giving Day, the Wanderers have given back to Western Sydney University through their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship.
Heffernan and Cannuli took part in the event along with a number of dignitaries and sporting and media identities including University acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Scott Holmes, Western Sydney University law alumnus and human rights advocate Deng Adut, award-winning journalist Hugh Riminton and Olympian and Western Sydney University medical student Jana Pittman.
Western Sydney University Chancellor Professor Peter Shergold AC, who is behind the Chancellor’s Challenge, has urged the University’s friends and supporters to get behind the initiative.
“Western Sydney University has a proud tradition of providing transformational educational opportunities for the people of Western Sydney and conducting world-leading, impact-driven research that is making a difference, particularly in the lives of people from our region,” Professor Shergold said.
“I invite our friends and supporters to join with me to get behind Giving Day, and support our life-changing scholarship programs and educational and research initiatives that have demonstrable impact in the communities we serve. Together, we can make a difference.”
