Fun day out for Rochester kids

A WEEK after eighty-five per cent of their town went underwater, children and teenagers from Rochester got a chance to escape and chill out at sports and fun day at Red Energy Arena.

Last Friday more than 300 primary and secondary school students from the flood affected community enjoyed basketball, netball, volleyball and other sports and games with players from the WNBL’s Bendigo Spirit also joining in.

“The entire Spirit playing and coaching group looked forward to spending time with the students and assisting them to enjoy their day at Red Energy Arena and hopefully help them put the devastation of the floods in Rochester to the back of their minds for a few hours,” said club general manager David Ingham.

Students from Rochester Primary and Secondary schools, as well as and St Joseph’s Primary have been in Bendigo for up to a week following evacuation from the hometown.

Along with sports and games, the young people were able to enjoy some tasty treats, with Red Energy Arena’s catering team throwing open the facility’s kitchen.

“It’s been hard hearing of the impact these floods have had to our local community and the damage to the Rochester schools,” said Nicole McNamara, head of events at the stadium.

“When the opportunity arose we were more than happy to help out in whatever way we could.

“We were really looking forward to the super sport day and hope that all of the students had a great day.”

Several local businesses made donations towards the event to help make it a success with Accredited Distributors, Champions IGA, JL King, Caterworx, and Powers Country Express all chipping in food, drinks, supplies and clothing.

The staff at Red Energy Arena have also played a role in supporting volunteers and other flood affected people, with meals being sent to SES personnel, and drink vouchers supplied to displaced people at the showgrounds.