Bundaberg State High School staff and students showed support for drought-ravaged areas of Queensland in the lead-up to Christmas.
Bundaberg State High School teacher Keith Holledge had the idea to invite junior students to write to families to show them they were thinking of them.
“With more than 87 per cent of Queensland officially in drought I felt it was important that our students did something tangible,” Keith said.
“We just wanted to let our farmers know that our school, our Bundaberg Region was thinking of them, hoping that it would give them and a big smile and some hope.”
More than 100 students took up the offer and wrote heartfelt messages of support, sending 178 cards.
One student, Anna Harris, wrote more than 25 cards.
“I wrote so many cards because the farmers needed to know that everyone here at this school was supporting them and that we understood what they were going through,” Anna said.
“It made me really happy that they knew that we cared for them, and we do care for them, and we’d like to know how they’re doing all the time.”
Fellow student Fletcher Churchill said Anna had inspired the school.
“Anna was the real superstar,” Fletcher said.
“The whole school was very proud of Anna and everyone got in and chipped in.
“It makes me feel good that we are here to support the farmers in hard times.”
Mayor sent cards to drought-declared regions
The cards were given to Bundaberg Region Mayor Jack Dempsey, who sent them to the mayors of eight drought-declared regions, who delivered the cards to families doing it tough.
“Each card has a handwritten message from the students and I asked the eight mayors to share them with the farmers in their communities on behalf of the Bundaberg State High School students,” Mayor Dempsey said.
Since then, some heartfelt notes of thanks have come back for Mayor Dempsey to share with the students, including an email from Kerry Hayes, Mayor of Central Highlands Regional Council.
“Just a quick note to thank you for your Christmas greetings and for the wonderful initiative from the Bundy High School Students,” Mayor Hayes wrote.
“I passed on those cards to a community to the west of Emerald called Lochington which has a small primary school and recreation club.
“The locality has been very dry and stock numbers have been reduced dramatically.
“It was a nice sentiment Jack and was very much appreciated.”
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