Welcome from Robyn:

Dear Prospective Residents and parents,
Thank you for considering Margaret Mayo Womens College or Mayo North Townhouses as your or your children’s student accommodation in Wollongong.

Mayos student accommodation (the College and the Townhouses) have a combined 75% return rate. This is by far the highest return rate of any student accommodation in Wollongong.
Our accommodation has been carefully structured to reduce or eliminate many of the aspects of traditional student College accommodation that cause most concern for students and parents.
Mayos is a conservative student accommodation, but nevertheless we have a lot of fun. I encourage you to look at our Photo Gallery which records some of the happy events in the College. Our Testimonial page also records feedback we have received from students and parents about Mayos.

The primary focus here is on academic work and having a structured living environment that provides maximum support to enable a student to succeed in their academic program. All shopping, cooking and room cleaning are provided, so students have maximum time to spend on study and leisure pursuits.

How is Mayos different?
1. We are small and friendly. The College has a maximum of 25 residents and the townhouses 10. Students are not an anonymous face amongst many hundreds of students. Mayos is a friendly, home-like environment. A poorly managed transition from home to University life is one of the major reasons students drop out. We work hard to reduce trauma or stress associated with the transition from home to studying away from home.

Everyone here gets to know you, your likes and dislikes. As we are small, we have the flexibility to cater for more individual requirements. For example, if you are ill, we are happy to accompany you to the doctor or hospital.

2. We are like a large home with lots of friends, not an anonymous institution.
Unlike large Colleges we do not lock you out of the kitchen or pantry. You have access to our kitchen. You can access foodstuffs to make snacks (provided you clean up). We have tea, coffee, milo, orange juice, ice cream, biscuits, bread etc available 24/7. You can write down your lunch orders stating what you want so it is made to order. We watch favourite TV shows or DVD’s together. We have outings or tours scheduled outside of peak study times so you get to see the Region, its animals and plants.

3. We have the best security record of any student College in Wollongong. Zero thefts, zero assaults, zero break-ins. Lack of safety is unfortunate fact of modern western life. This problem can become worse when young people who are inexperienced reside away from home for the first time. Mayos has not had any such incidents. Residents are given a security briefing soon after arrival. Memos about any security concerns are circulated within the College on an “as needs” basis. The College stays in contact with local security and Police to ensure awareness of any local issues. The College Head lives in the College so supervision is close. Any security issues that arise are dealt with immediately.

4. We have the best food and cleaning of any catered College in Wollongong.
We place a strong emphasis on both. Mayos College has one hour cleaning time per week per resident. The College is sparkling clean. We spend two and three times the dollars per resident per day on food in comparison to other Colleges. Residents have input on the menu. We encourage residents to supply copies of their favourite recipes to our chefs.

5. We have the best location.

If you want an easy (1 minute flat walk south) to the main Wollongong shopping and entertainment centre called The Mall, you turn left out our front door; or if you want access to beaches, you turn right. The Pacific Ocean is at the end of our street. The main campus of the University is 8 minutes away in our free College mini-van.

6. We have the best internet system in any student Colleges in Wollongong.
High speed cabled ADSL in every room. Wireless internet connections throughout the property. No ‘hidden’ download fees. One IT fee

7. In 2006 we are the cheapest catered student accommodation in Wollongong.
Highly experienced management means the optimum combination of great service, top security and best value for money.
Be sure to book early to avoid missing out.