FOOTBALL just got more fun at Our Lady Help of Christians school in Wendouree thanks to an effort by different groups across the community to replace the oval\u2019s goal posts.<\/p>\n
The new posts started out as a fundraising effort, until a visit by the school\u2019s senior students to Parliament House meant one pupil could raise the issue directly with Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison.<\/p>\n
Ms Addison was then able to link the school up with Liam Brady from AFL Victoria, who had some goal posts spare, while the pads were donated parent and studio manager at Small Dog Design, Daren Collinson.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe problem with getting good posts in they really, really cost,\u201d said acting principal Paddy Ryan.<\/p>\n
\u201cOriginally the goal posts were facing in a different direction, were old and wooden, and really quite dangerous so we took them out. We then experimented with portable posts which were inappropriate, made from PVC and broke.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese goal posts are much more permanent, they\u2019re stable and a really great addition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Ryan said the effort meant that money originally raised for the goal posts could go back into other areas of need at the school and the project was finished way ahead of time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fantastic, as otherwise we would have had to get the money from elsewhere,\u201d he said. \u201cNow those funds will go directly to other programs, life education programs, ITC programs, things like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
With no government money going into the new goal posts, Ms Addison said her ability to connect community partners who had extra resources with places like OLHC was a rewarding part of her job.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is about coming and talking to kids about government and then being able to be a great representative for my community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen people come to me I always like to help them, I can\u2019t always, but with this was one I could make a few calls and with the hard work of my office we were able to get these goal posts, and with the help of Small Dog have them installed.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for the student behind taking the issue directly to his Member of Parliament, grade 5 pupil Keegan, he was just happy for the chance to kick at some high-quality goal posts.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels really good that we can play footy,\u201d he said. \u201cThe only problem is we\u2019re not allowed to tackle! But the good thing is we can kick goals.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FOOTBALL just got more fun at Our Lady Help of Christians school in Wendouree thanks to an effort by different groups across the community to replace the oval\u2019s goal posts. The new posts started out as a fundraising effort, until a visit by the school\u2019s senior students to Parliament House meant one pupil could raise […]<\/p>\n