Service & Outreach 

Artwork: Hannah Walling, Year 12, Ridgeway Campus

Cate Gust, Year 11, Ridgeway Campus

On 18 February, a group of ten Year 11 and 12 students had the opportunity as part of the service committee to volunteer and give our support to the Big Group Hug’s donation drive. Big Group Hug is a volunteer-driven Australian charity, founded in 2014 and based in Thomastown. They provide essential items to vulnerable children from newborn to 16 years old. The organisation is powered by volunteers and accepts donations of goods (that are clean, safe, and of good quality) as well as financial contributions. Every year, Big Group Hug provides 120,000+ essential items to over 6,000 children in need across Victoria.  These are essential items such as cots, prams, baby formula, clothing, shoes, toiletries, books and much more. 

Many of the families who receive these donations are often in times of hardship, supporting children with disabilities, or have even immigrated from overseas and are struggling to find their footing. Big Group Hug aims to ease the overwhelming pressure faced by parents (mothers in particular) who are experiencing financial hardship and struggling to provide the essential items their children need as they grow, learn and develop. 

The work of the Big Group Hug and the impact it continues to make on the community is incredibly valuable. 

We, as students, feel grateful to have been able to make a small contribution to their work. During our time at the warehouse, I was stationed with a few of my friends sorting through bags of donated clothes by sizes and age-appropriateness. It was a lovely feeling to know that all of clothes I was organising, were going directly to supporting people in need instead of going to landfill or simply collecting dust in someone’s wardrobe. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Big Group hug and although it was a late night and required stepping outside our usual routine, I would absolutely recommend getting involved in their wonderful organisation in any way you can.  

Alice Waite, Year 12, Ridgeway Campus

I feel very privileged to have been able to participate in the 300 Blankets program. The charity, run by volunteers, supports those currently experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, by offering both connection and physical items. The School takes a small group of students and we walk a circuit with a volunteer through Swanston Street, Bourke Street and finishing near Flinders Street. Throughout this walk, we stop and talk to people who appear to be experiencing homelessness, and offer them items they may need (such as blankets, toiletries, socks), or use donated money to purchase them a meal. Although it can be quite a confronting experience, it is extremely valuable in developing a greater understanding of the experiences of different people and connecting in a way I may not ordinarily. I strongly recommend the program to anyone interested. And thank you to the IDEALS Service team for making this possible.