A Mt Hagen child at the local show in 2007.

Fill it to the brim

By

Kerri Carr

Schools have shown their support for a teacher's 'school in a box' charity venture.

A third shipping container of educational resources earmarked for Mount Hagen in the highlands of Papua New Guinea is currently in Camden, three quarters full, reports Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School deputy principal Jim Levy. Mr Levy grew up in Mount Hagen and in recent years has sought to gather educational resources to send to the area where he grew up.

Mr Levy said he was looking to school communities throughout NSW "to fill this container to the brim with useful primary resources".

"I know it will be valued," he said.

He said there were more than 500 boxes of primary school materials including exercise books, library readers, reference books, reading and numeracy programs, crates of paints, teacher reference materials and classroom equipment like scissors and glue in the container.

"Also included are eight computers, five small blackboards on stands, library shelving and around 130 school chairs.

"Enough gear to set up a small school," he added.

The resources have been donated from schools including Premer, Black Mountain, Kentucky, Burren Junction, Fairfax, Limbri, Bullarah, Sandon, Tambar Springs, Nowendoc, Somerton, Ben Lomond, Glen Innes, Narrabri, Tamworth Public and Tamworth West, Allambie Heights, Birchgrove, North Narrabeen and Woolooware.

Mr Levy said there were also significant donations from the students and parents of Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School.

"Members of the Tamworth community also generously donated school exercise books and other library books," he added.

"In Camden there has been a great community response as well with donations of computers in particular. Thanks to my sister Gayle and her daughter Nichole."

"The container was purchased with the generous support of the Peel Valley Lions and Tamworth 1st Light Rotary Club. Tamworth Lions also donated a ute load of books from their recent book sale," Mr Levy said.

"As you can see there have been many people involved in this effort," he added.

Mr Levy said the generosity continued when George Leahy, a businessman in Mount Hagen offered to pay for the shipping of the container to Papua New Guinea through his company. George is the eldest of the Danny Leahy family, recently featured on Dynasties on the ABC TV.

"George was a primary school mate in Mt Hagen," Mr Levy said.

"The transport coordinator, Ken Vincin, also went to school in Mt Hagen and was a former student of Farrer (1965 to 70).

"Their generous support is fantastic," he added.

"I know the resources will be very beneficial and will make a difference to the teachers and students of the Highlands.

"Some of the community schools in particular are desperate for educational materials."

If you can help please contact Jim Levy at james.levy@det.nsw.edu.au.

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March 2008 contents