Supporting a good cause

Three Warracknabeal Secondary College students have raised more than $1000 for the Elli Martha Fund after gaining inspiration from a leadership school.

Leah Penny, Darcie O’connor and Ireland Power were invited to attend School for Student Leadership at Glenormiston last year when they were studying year nine.

The school’s curriculum focuses on personal development and team-learning projects sourced from the students’ home regions.

During the 10-week course, the girls learned leadership, teamwork and communication skills and were then challenged to create their own community leadership project.

They chose to raise money for the Elli Martha Fund because it was a hometown charity close to their hearts.

Leah said the girls set a target to raise $300 with two significant raffles and were surprised by community generosity.

“My father cut two trailer loads of wood for us to raffle and we sold tickets at the Warrack Eagles versus Dimboola football match,” she said.

“It was really good because people from both clubs were buying tickets.

“We also sold tickets outside the Warracknabeal Pharmacy and went door to door in the town.”

Ireland said the girls also sold Elli Socks to teachers, staff and other students while at the leadership school camp.

“The response was great and we actually ran out of socks after the first day,” she said.

“We had to get more sent to us. In the finish, we raised $1030.85 from raffles and sock sales which was way beyond anything we had expected.”

Rural Northwest Health chief executive and fund committee member Catherine Morley praised the students for their commitment.

“It’s very warming to know that these girls recognised the importance of the Elli Martha Fund and worked hard to support it,” she said.

“The community has been behind the fund from the start and we are supporting local families with children needing to travel long distances for medical treatment. It has been a rewarding and emotive experience.”