Community

Lend a hand to Colin and Jason for Hands across the water

Colin Gooding of FN Latrobe (Traralgon, VIC) and Jason Partridge of FN Patterson (Port Macquarie, NSW) have each committed to riding in next year’s Hands Across the Water bike ride through Thailand. Colin will be participating for a second time.

The ride, which started after the Boxing Day 2004 Tsunami, raises funds for 350+ children living in 7 homes and projects across Thailand. Colin and Jason will cover 500 kilometres in five days, between 23 February and 3 March and, so far, more than $149,000 has been raised.

The kids who come to live in a Hands home are there because they have no choice. This is often the result of one of three heartbreaking situations:

• They have no known family to care for them
• They have a family member who is known to them, but is unable to care for them
• They are living in an unsafe environment and have been placed in our care by the police or government

Hands not only provides the life-saving necessities for the kids in its homes; it also supports many families in an outreach program to help keep kids out of Hands homes. 

FN Melton kicks off 4th Christmas Toy Drive

For the fourth consecutive year, FN Melton (VIC) principal, Jade Carberry has launched a Christmas Toy Drive, with her office becoming the suburb’s official drop off point. 

The initiative brings holiday joy to underprivileged children across the City of Melton, and Jade is hoping this year will be an even bigger success than before. 115 families have already registered to receive gifts for their children, making FN Melton the centre of Christmas spirit.

Let’s tell YOUR stories: First National agents making an impact in communities across Australia

Throughout Australia, First National offices support their local community with sporting sponsorships, health initiatives, and a huge range of other initiatives. 

We want to tell your stories, so please spare 5 minutes to complete this form.