Spreading Happiness and Support
The Power of Care Boxes in Times of Need
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”- Maya Angelou, author.
In moments of disaster, when the waters rise and uncertainty looms, a humble gesture can make all the difference. Picture this: a small wooden box, filled not just with items, but with empathy and understanding. These packages are bringing rays of hope to those navigating the aftermath of floods.
The major project for the VCE Vocational Major and the Victorian Pathway Certificate students was centred around the topic of displacement. Students used Stanford University's Design Thinking process to find real solutions to real problems, exploring how floods can displace people, proposing solutions to prevent or even reduce flood damage, and, more importantly, how flood displacement can change a community and affect a person. Students studied the Rochester floods of 2011, 2022 and 2024. Students learned that the Rochester community are still managing the long-term effects of the floods.
Some of the statistics from the Rochester floods surprised our students; for example, in 2022, 90% of Rochester was affected by the floods, over 50,000 sandbags were used, 2000 people were evacuated, and homes and businesses were destroyed. Today, 87% of the Rochester population are still not in their homes, 20 families from Rochester Secondary College are still homeless, and homes and businesses are gutted. The people of Rochester are still living with the effects of the floods. All they ask is for them to be not forgotten.
The VCE VM & VPC students empathized with the community. With the assistance and guidance of the Bendigo Tech School and La Trobe University, students measured, designed, created, laser cut, laser printed designs, and assembled wooden boxes, which will be filled as care packages for the Rochester flood survivors.
After having conversations with the former mayor of Rochester, Leigh Wilson, and Rochester Community House’s manager, Amanda, and Chairperson, Jodie, students had firm ideas as to what they would like to put into their boxes. However, to fund their goodwill, students organised and hosted a sausage sizzle. The event was a huge success, and we are very grateful for the generosity of the Girton Community and to Woolworths, Golden Square for donating the sausages. The items purchased were little luxuries that would bring joy to their lives. The care packages were well received by the Rochester community.
On the 24th of May, we travelled to Rochester to hand over our care packages, speak to members of the community, and spend time and money in Rochester. The people of Rochester were so moved by our visit that some were close to tears, expressing their gratitude. Our visit meant a lot to the people of Rochester and their recovery.
On behalf of the staff that have worked with these students, we are proud of these students for persevering with the project. At times the content was confronting and uncomfortable but, in the end, everyone understood its significance. The skills students learned have been invaluable, such as how to work as a team, lead effectively, demonstrate compassion and empathy, show active listening skills, be resilient and persistent, exercise problem-solving skills, and most importantly, as highlighted by Leigh Wilson, the importance of relationships and networks, whether it be within a community, between rural towns in Victoria, and with each other. Our students contributed to the town of Rochester by spreading happiness and support, and that is the most important gift of all.
If you wish to contribute to the Rochester flood recovery, visit Rochester. They would greatly appreciate it.
Mrs Yvette Shanley
Teacher of VCE VM & VPC
