Central Ranges : The Murrindindi Shire Committee

The Murrindindi Shire Committee

BETTER TOGETHER

The student leaders of Yea High School were particularly busy this morning, gratefully accepting a generous offer from Transfield Services [ASX: TSE].

Mr. Terry Collins, the Garrison Services Manager at Puckapunyal Army Base, provided the loan of a Mini Bus that will support a number of students to travel to and from vocational training and employment commitments across the district.

Industry and School members of the Central Ranges LLEN came together at Yea High School this morning to make a number of presentations to the students and school community of Yea, in support of those affected by the recent bush fires across the district.

Bus Handover

This is in recognition of the serious disruption to families caused by the fires and is provided to ensure students can maintain some continuity in their education and training during the early stages of recovery from such a major event.

Mr. John O'Meara, Principal of Yea High School said :

The idea for an appeal for a mini bus came from an activity we ran where students answered a number of quiz questions. One of the questions was ‘What would make Yea High School even better?’ Answers included;

Could Mr. O’Meara make it rain?, Can we get some green grass for our oval?, Improved playground facilities, A pool, Shorter classes, Longer breaks, A green hockey field, A mini bus

The mini bus seemed the best option – we do have an immediate need for one and it would add to our curriculum options for the future.

Transfield Services has been a long-term partner of the Central Ranges LLEN and we are pleased to see their willingness to support students and families in times of difficulty. We thank Mr. Terry Collins and Mr. Neil Birtchnell for their ongoing support of our communities.

While the loan of the mini-bus will assist with immediate short-term needs, Yea High School has also set a target for local fund-raising to purchase a permanent mini-bus.

Leanne Pleash, Board member and Treasurer of the Central Ranges LLEN was also on hand to make two additional presentations on behalf of the Board and members of the association to the students of Yea High School.

handover

These presentations included a donation of Two Thousand dollars [$2000.00] towards the Yea High School Mini-Bus Appeal and a further five hundred dollars [$500.00] provided directly to the High School to assist some families directly affected by the fires.

Ms. Pleash said;

..our association has received generous donations to our Bushfire Relief Fund from across the region, state and country and it allows us, in a small way, to assist young people and their families to stay connected to the opportunities that education and training can offer.

The student leadership team are seen here accepting these donations on behalf of the school community.

In thanking all of the donors who had contributed , Mr. O'Meara pointed out that the motto that has been adopted since the school reopened on February 16th has been ‘Better Together’, this was born out of the conversations Mr. O’Meara had had with many students and families as he visited them in their homes or in the relief centres during the week immediately after the dreadful fires of February 7th.

Related Links: