Community
28 March, 2024
$30,000 boost
MERRI River students are one step closer to enjoying a new outdoor space thanks to the generosity of Bega Koroit and the Koroit Irish Festival.
The school was last Friday the proud recipient of a generous $30,000 donation from the festival committee and Bega.
According to Merri River’s multi-disciplinary team member Jodie Carey, the money will be used towards the construction of an outdoor amphitheatre, the first stage of which will include a ‘Yarning Circle’.
Yarning circles invite everybody to participate on equal standing, learn as a collective of people with different ideas and cultures, and create respectful and appreciative relationships.
These circles have been used across Indigenous communities for thousands of years and act as a conversational process for storytelling and sharing knowledge.
“This donation is greatly appreciated by our school and will see work start on our yarning circle, along with associated landscaping,” Ms Carey said.
“We are extremely lucky to be so well supported by our community to ensure the best possible learning environment for our students.”
The school is hoping construction work on the new outdoor area will start at the end of this term, with completion by the end of next term (weather permitting).
“Our Hands-On Learning students are also eager to help out with this project and I’m sure everyone will be excited to see the first stage (Yarning Circle) take shape,” Ms Carey said.
Speaking at last Friday afternoon’s school assembly on behalf of Bega, Peter McDonald said the company was excited to be a part of this co-contribution alongside the Koroit Irish Festival Committee.
“This co-contribution with the festival committee is something we are very excited about and very proud to be involved with,” Bega’s Peter McDonald said.
“We’re now in a position where we can invest back into the local community and this project at Merri River is something that will benefit many for years to come.”
School principal Dean Clements also expressed his gratitude to both organisations for their support.
“This donation is just amazing and we as a community are very grateful,” Mr Clements said.
