Students raise money, awareness

Goroke P-12 College VCAL students have raised more than $2000 for charities this year, culminating in the presentation of a cheque for $1000 to The Naked Farmer’s Ben Brooksby.

The students have worked throughout the year to raise money for various causes, with $700 donated to the Buy a Bale farm drought relief campaign and $400 going to the Love Your Sister breast cancer charity.

Earlier this month the students organised a mental health awareness night at Goroke Golf Club to coincide with the presentation of $1000 to The Naked Farmer.

It highlighted Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia’s mental health unit and the services it can provide to people in remote communities.

VCAL students also served a two-course meal to more than 100 people who attended the night.

Mr Brooksby created The Naked Farmer charity last year as a way to raise money and awareness for mental health in the agriculture industry.

He was unable to attend the event at Goroke Golf Club, but pre-recorded an interview with senior VCAL student Rebekah Lear that was played for attendees.

Lear spearheaded fundraising efforts and spent months organising the night.

She said it was important for people living in remote areas to discuss mental health and support each other. “Unfortunately, living in the country you sometimes don’t get the same access and help as you would in the city,” she said.

“Perhaps this could explain why the mental health and suicide rate has risen quite dramatically in rural areas.”

Goroke P-12 College VCAL co-ordinator Kylie Charlton said all of her students had worked hard to make the event a success.

“The VCAL kids did it all – they did letters to businesses, we had raffles and door prizes,” she said.

“It took more than six months of organising, so it was good to finally do it.”