It’s why Helen Nicholls-Stary founded The Lounge: to create a place where international students could find support, meet people and feel part of a community.
Since then, The Lounge has become a place for students to share meals, join activities and information sessions, and build connections in their new home.
And now, eligible drink containers are helping support that work.
Through CDS Vic, The Lounge is turning bottles and cans into 10-cent refunds that can be reinvested into its international student community — an idea championed by The Lounge’s ambassador Dhiraj Neupane.
For Dhiraj, it was about more than finding another way to raise funds. He saw an opportunity for students to get involved, give back and build their confidence along with way.
It’s an idea that fits naturally with what Helen created The Lounge to do.
Since opening, The Lounge has engaged more than 7,500 students, providing meals, social activities, information sessions and practical support.
For program coordinator Kai, the importance of that support is something he understands firsthand.
As an international student himself, Kai knows what it’s like to arrive in a new country and build a life away from familiar support networks.
“People often assume international students come from privilege,” he says. “The reality is that many are navigating culture shock, financial pressure, loneliness and sometimes racism.”
“Having somewhere they feel welcome, where they can access support and simply spend time with other people, is incredibly important.”
As a not-for-profit, finding ways to keep that support going is always front of mind. While grants remain important, container collection gives The Lounge another option — one that allows students and the wider community to contribute themselves.
Dhiraj has become a familiar face behind the initiative, encouraging students, staff and volunteers to save their eligible containers and helping grow collections across the Waurn Ponds campus and the local Salvation Army office.
But for Dhiraj, the opportunity goes beyond fundraising.
He organises collection drives, partners with local businesses and encourages students to get involved.
For students finding their feet in a new country, those activities can become opportunities to meet people, build confidence and take on leadership roles — while raising funds to support their fellow students.
The environmental side has resonated too.
“Climate change is something we care deeply about,” Kai says. “Sometimes it feels too big for one person to make a difference. But this gives people something practical they can do.”
“Once people start collecting containers, they start thinking differently about recycling and sustainability. It builds from there.”
Container collection has become another way to do what The Lounge has always set out to do: help international students connect, contribute and feel part of the community around them.
Now, that’s a pretty good return on 10 cents.
