Palmetto Report

(Rock Hill, S.C.) — The Australian bushfires may be taking place thousands of miles away from Winthrop University, but the campus is still feeling the impact, as there are a number of student athletes from Australia. Currently, there are more than 100 fires burning across the country. Tom Pupavac, a junior member of the Winthrop men’s basketball team, is one of at least a handful of Australian students on campus who are concerned about the disaster his country is facing. “My family has been fine really, most of the damage is caused around my home by smoke. There hasn’t been fires (that have) really struck through my area where I’m living back home,” said Pupavac. Pupavac, who is from Geelong, Australia, spoke to the Palmetto Report about the tragedy and how the Winthrop community may be able to help.