FOOD DRIVE | ASRC

During International Week held earlier this term, our House Captains promoted a Food Drive in support of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC). 

Our school community demonstrated great support with ‘hundreds of dollars’ worth of dry foods, canned foods, toiletries and other essential items generously donated to this very worthy cause.

Delivery of the donations was delayed due to the 2-week lockdown, however we will be delivering everything to the ASRC in Footscray before the end of Term. 

A follow up visit in Term 3 has been organised to allow our student leaders to experience first hand the amazing work done through this not for profit organisation.

In a recent screening of the ‘ABC Drum’ Program, a discussion was conducted which highlighted the challenges faced by people seeking asylum in our country. 

It is clear that this is a difficult issue both for asylum seekers and for our political decision makers. For those waiting for their applications for asylum to be processed, a day to day challenge to survive exists. In Winter it is of course even more challenging. 

You may like to view the segment by clicking on the link and fast forwarding to the 46minute point in the show.

https://iview.abc.net.au/video/NC2107H101S00

So much has happened in the past 18 months; People/families seeking asylum, lockdowns due to COVID-19, horrific bushfires, wild storms and damaging floods….. so much support required across Melbourne, across Victoria, around Australia and Internationally. 

It is hard to know where to start, who and how to help/prioritise. 

Reminding ourselves of our school values, in particular ‘empathy, respect and teamwork’, can have a big impact on how we act as a collective and what we can all do as individuals. 

We encourage you to do whatever you can to support others in need in our community by staying informed, demonstrating kindness, by donating to not for profit charities or volunteering your time to any number of not for profit organisations.

A sincere thank you to everyone; every student and every family, for supporting our students through your donations to the International Week Food Drive and a big congratulations to our house captains for promoting, encouraging, counting and packing the donated food. 

All 4 houses contributed almost equally, demonstrating that across the school, we had a great response to this initiative.

Gary R. Agg

Manager, International Student Program