UWA Bachelor of International Relations student Santiago Lopez‑Pinfold applied his analytical, research and project coordination skills to local sustainability challenges during his recent McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship with the City of Fremantle.
Santiago was motivated to apply for a McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship because he wanted to contribute to the local community while gaining experience in a professional office environment. He was particularly interested in understanding how local government operates and how policy decisions translate into practical outcomes for communities across Perth and Western Australia.
During his internship, Santiago supported a range of initiatives that aimed to improve waste practices, education and sustainability outcomes across the City of Fremantle. Despite the short placement timeframe, his supervisor, Kelly Levisohn noted that Santiago completed all assigned tasks to a high standard and quickly became a valued member of the team.
“Despite the short timeframe, Santiago successfully completed all assigned tasks to a high standard and proved to be a valued member of our team,” Kelly said.
One of Santiago’s major outcomes was compiling a comprehensive property register for multi‑unit developments (MUDs) by integrating data from multiple sources and platforms. This register now forms a key foundation for optimising waste collection services, improving amenity for residents and enhancing streetscapes across the city.
Santiago also led a waste education collateral audit, reviewing existing materials, updating artwork and sourcing quotes to support a forthcoming community education grant application. This work will assist the City of Fremantle in improving resident knowledge of waste practices and increasing the diversion of resources from landfill.
Another highlight of his internship was designing an interactive waste education workshop for school aged students. Santiago demonstrated strong initiative and creativity by developing engaging learning activities and designing the game layout himself. His supervisor praised his clear understanding of the brief and his ability to translate complex ideas into accessible and engaging content.
In addition, Santiago researched best practice sustainable event policies, recommending the development of a clear, user-friendly guideline that provides practical, easy‑to‑read solutions for event organisers. This work supports the City’s broader sustainability goals and commitment to responsible waste management.
“I really valued gaining experience in an office setting and learning how local government works behind the scenes,” he said.
The internship also helped Santiago build confidence in managing competing priorities and meeting deadlines. By working across several projects at once, he strengthened his time management skills while delivering all tasks on schedule.
Looking ahead, Santiago sees the internship as a valuable stepping stone toward a future career in government and the public service.
He strongly recommends a McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship to other students.
“It’s a great opportunity to gain real‑world experience, challenge your thinking and contribute meaningfully to the community,” he said. “The support from McCusker Centre staff and host organisations is incredible, and they genuinely want you to succeed.”