Helping small school make a big change
AFTER Tanduringie State School’s main fundraiser for the year was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the community of Maidenwell rallied together to raise $5000 through the Containers for Change Scheme.
Located 40km south of Kingaroy, Tanduringie State School has just 31 students from 20 families.
Every year during the Easter weekend, the school hosts a bull ride competition to raise money.
As it was cancelled this year, the school had to seek alternative ways to come up with the money, and in a wonderful show of support, several businesses participated in collecting containers for the school.
Tanduringie State School principal Melanie McNaughton said they had to cancel this year’s bull ride due to COVID.
“We haven’t had any fundraising this year which means that the Containers for Change scheme money has really made a difference,” Mrs McNaughton said.
“Our P&C has been able to fully fund our school swimming program and has also heavily subsidised our school camp on the Sunshine Coast, all from the money generated through the Containers for Change scheme.
“Our Prep students also painted a 44-gallon drum with flowers and environmental pictures and that has been placed in the eating areas for collecting the juice cartons and water bottles at school.”
In a real show of support for the school, the nearby Meandu Mine and Tarong Power Station is now donating and collecting containers for the cause and staff are even personally returning them through the Containers For Change depot at Kingaroy.
The Maidenwell Trading Post and Maidenwell Hotel also pitched in.
Tania Schloss of the Tanduringie P&C said the group had identified the Containers for Change scheme could be used to not only raise some funds but provide an environmental benefit to the area.
“Our country roads around here were getting pretty grubby from all the bottles and cans that were getting thrown out of car windows,” Mrs Schloss said.