Student Activities 

Interact update

You will never find an atmosphere more jovial than when you and a group of people gather together as one to help those in need with no motive other than to make some people’s lives just that little bit easier.

This was very evident to Alice Terrill (Interact’s captain) and I once when we recently  volunteered at the free monthly dinner at The Barn, Box Hill held by M.A.S.H. Rotary. Upon arrival we were met with some familiar faces from previous Barn dinners and other Rotary activities Alice and I have been lucky enough attend. There were also some new faces in the form of Rotaract volunteers who had also put their hand up for the occasion. Together, in the little kitchen we laughed and cooked and discussed the latest dramas of each other’s world, everyone had an opinion ready and advice to give. Meeting the Rotaracters, who were now at University (having recently finished Year 12)  was particularly fascinating for Alice and I as they were empathetic and opening to our endless questions about things as trivial as eighteenth birthday parties and university preferences. Eventually people started filing in, usual customers strolling in, delighted to see old friends, and new customers timidly stepping in, unsure of what exactly to do but quickly placed at ease by the welcoming organisers and guests alike. The serving of the food was (as it always is) was a hectic experience and by the end of it not a single pea, corn kernel or spoon of ice cream had gone to waste. The  guests eagerly helped us as we packed up the tables and swept the floors.

Alice and I left The Barn exhausted but in immeasurably good spirits as we parted ways.

No doubt The Barn will see more Koonung students volunteering. As well as volunteering at The Barn the Interact Club is selling hot cross buns for $6 for a pack of 6 with all the proceeds going to the Good Friday Appeal. If you are interested please fill out and order form that you can find on Compass and send it to Alice Terrill at ter0004@koonung.vic.edu.au.

Interact is also excited to announce a movie night that is going to be held early next term  - everyone is invited to watch Avengers: Infinity War! Bookings will soon be available.

All senior students are welcome to come to any of the meetings should you wish to get involved in Interact. The next one will be held on Tuesday 13 March and are subsequently held every second Tuesday lunchtime in room 15.

Come along and bring your friends!

Dana Kirimof, 12B 

International Women's Day breakfast

On Thursday morning, Ms Lee, Mrs Howe, Jasmine, Victoria and I made our way to the Box Hill Town Hall for a nice bright start at 7am. We had been invited by the MASH Rotary Club and were there to celebrate International Women's Day. After enjoying a delicious breakfast we were entertained by some incredibly inspiring speakers. 

The event was lead by Danielle Storey, a fantastic woman who had successfully balanced her work and family life. 

Each speaker had only eight minutes to speak on the theme 'Todays girls, tomorrows leaders', but we could have listened to them for much longer. We heard from Peter Stubbs, who referred to himself as a "privileged male". He gave an insight into the opinion of a male feminist, stating  that it simply represents being equal, and that requires nothing but decent behaviour. 

We heard from Lee Hamley who went into the medical profession, but unlike a lot of women did at the time, she did not want to be a nurse. She slowly worked her way through a male dominated proffesion and is now works as the Chief Medical Officer position at the Alfred Hospital.

Spohia Grubnik, a year 12 student also spoke about how it is up to our generation, all of the women before us have faught for equality, now it was our turn to take the baton.

The final speaker was Detective Superintendent Ded Robertson. She spoke of the difficulties she went through to get equal right to her male counter parts, and showed that with hard work, you can always follow the path that you want to. 

Although it might seem somewhat depressing, the challenges that the women had been forced to go through, to do things that men could do easily. But it was incredibly inspiring. All of them have succeeded, and they believe that things are always improving for women. 

Alice Terrill, 12E