INTERACT News
Interact at the Waterfront Festival and Kananook Duck Derby
It has been a busy start to the year for Interact, with our first major community event taking place on Saturday 18 February. Interact volunteers promoted and served as marshals at the Kananook Duck Derby, which raised over $6,000 for local community groups including the Frankston Life Saving Club and the Dolphin Research Institute.
The students were phenomenal, as always, and the Rotarians of Peninsula 2.0 were incredibly grateful for their efforts. A special shout out has to go to Kian Murray (Year 8), Tilly Scott (Year 8), Grace Rigby (Year 9) and Amy Staunton (Year 11) who all braved the duck mascot suit at various points despite the heat. It was also lovely to run into Frankston High School and Interact alumni Beth Yeuong and Charlotte Redey as we were packing up!
Students are now also front page famous with February's Duck Derby running as a front page story in the 28 Feb 2023 edition of the Frankston Times! Many thanks to the work and advocacy of all involved to make this possible.
Clean Up Australia Day 2023
On Sunday 5 March, Interact students worked with Rotarians from our founding club, the Rotary Club of Frankston Sunrise, to collect waste left along Frankston Beach as part of this year's efforts for Clean Up Australia Day. The weather was stunning and 11 bags worth of waste and recyclables were safely removed. Special thanks to Mr Tom Whipp for taking the time out of his weekend to assist our students and the Rotarians.
Fundraising for a SkyHydrant: Next Steps
Thanks to generous donations from Rotary benefactors and our fundraising efforts in conjunction with the LEAD class at the 2023 Swimming Sports, Interact is now $1,250 closer to our $5,000 goal to purchase a SkyHydrant.
A SkyHydrant is a form of modern water filtration system that can be installed in remote areas and filter upwards of 1,000 litres of water per hour, enough for 500-1000 people per day, and can be modified to hold and produce even more. It is incredibly cost effective: every dollar spent translates to a stable source of clean drinking water for one child, every year.
Throughout the year, Interact will continue to fundraise toward the goal of purchasing a SkyHydrant for a community in Bhutan that currently lacks a clean and stable water supply.
On Tuesday 14 March, we look forward to welcoming Rotarians from Peninsula 2.0 and the Rotary Club of Frankston Sunrise after school on the Senior Campus to assist the Interactors in our next major fundraising event packing William Adams kits. Every kit packed translates to a dollar toward the SkyHydrant, and there are materials for up to 2,000 kits to be made. All staff, students, and families interested in joining the Interactors at this community event are most welcome. Details to be finalised at the time of writing, so watch this space!
Mr Jon Christie
Interact Coordinator