Drouin Leos donate to charity

The Drouin Secondary College Leo’s Club showed the fruits of their labour having made significant donations to several charities at its latest meeting.

The Leos donated $2000 to Need for Feed, a Lions Club initiative to help drought victims in New South Wales and Victoria.

Other charities to receive donations included the Drouin branch of St Vincent de Paul Society ($1000 for its Christmas appeal), ward 17 of the Austin Hospital ($500 to help Post Traumatic Stress Disorder sufferers), the Burwood RSPCA ($500) and the Variety Bash ($500).

The students had raised the money through barbecues, assisting at the Garden and Home Expo and working at the Bunyip Show.

Graeme Cockrill of Need for Feed thanked the Leo’s for their donation, which will help the charity continues its efforts to provide drought relief. It’s latest major effort was a hay run on father’s day, which saw 19 trucks on the road and father’s giving to other father’s for father’s day.

“The drought doesn’t stop at borders,” Mr Cockrill said.

“It didn’t have a lot of media or politician attention until it was on the border of Canberra and Sydney.

“In Gippsland we’ve had East Gippsland and Wellington Councils declare that they are in drought.

“The north-west and north-east of the state are in drought.

“The north-east coast of Tasmania is on drought watch and it’s not looking great for their summer.

“We’ve had great support from the people of Australia, even some donations from overseas and every Lions district has donated, but we need the support to keep coming.”

The cheque presentation also saw the Leo’s rewarded for their charity work, receiving a $300 donation from the Yarragon Lion’s Club for their assistance on the food van at the Garden and Home Expo.

Kevin Arnold said the Leo’s showed their skills selling tickets and working the cash register, where they had to receive money and give change while also dealing with people changing their minds on their order.

The Drouin Secondary College Leos Club currently comprises of 28 students with teachers Gita Walker and Bernie Walsh coordinating.

Above: Drouin Secondary College Leos Club presented cheques to several charities at its latest meeting.Pictured back row from left Jordan Ziero, Zane Baker, Will Carter, Chloe Kirkman, Xavier Swetman, Gemma Burke, Piper Hastings, Bernie Walsh, Tom Jenkins, Lachie Hansen, Tylar Austin, Graeme Cockrill, Tate Wright, Mo Jafari, Kevin Kirby, Connor Carew (hidden), Owen Polderman, Xavier KuhnellPay, Nacho Whyman-Martinez, Gita Walker, front row Ruby Kelly, Halle Braybon, Caitlyn Warriner, Jessica Powell Cavalar, Ben LinellStarvaggi.Right: Graeme Cockrill of the Need for Feed charity addresses the Drouin Secondary College Leos on the impact of drought in Gippsland and further afield.

Drouin Secondary College Leos Club also donated to Need for Feed drought relief. Pictured from left Bernie Walsh, Caitlyn Warriner, Halle Braybon, Ruby Kelly, Jess PowellCavalar, Graeme Cockrill from Need for Feed charity and Gita Walker.

Accepting a donation from Yarragon Lions Club were Drouin Secondary College Leos Ruby Kelly, Gemma Burke, Halle Braybon, Chloe Kirkman, Piper Hastings, Xavier Swetman and Caitlyn Warriner. Making the presentation were Yarragon Lions Club.

Drouin Secondary College Leos Club donated to St Vincent de Paul Society Drouin branch. From left Bernie Walsh, Jess Powell-Cavalar, Halle Braybon, Ruby Kelly, Caitlyn Warriner, Frances Godfrey and Isabel McLean of St Vincent de Paul Society and Gita Walker.