Monday 26 May marked the beginning of the much-anticipated Rural, Alive and Well (RAW) Week. RAW is a Tasmanian non-clinical service that provides mental health support for farmers, with the delivery of authentic, early-intervention suicide prevention for rural and remote communities.
Tuesday 27 May was the College’s first ever “Dress like a Farmer Day” where gold coin donations were collected at the end of assembly. At the assembly, the College had the honour of hosting Jacqueline Shipton as our guest speaker. Jac is a Community Engagement Officer at RAW Tasmania, and as a farmer herself, was able to provide a clear insight into the everyday hardship’s that farmers face. Her main message of the presentation is that help is only a call away.
Later in the day, the Class of 2025 gathered at Scotch Oakburn Park to each plant a tree sapling – a total of 89 trees. This ‘plant-a-thon’ encouraged sustainable practises, effectively raising awareness of farmers’ mental health, whilst simultaneously leaving a legacy of the Class of 2025.
On the Friday of RAW Week, one tree was also planted at both the Middle and Senior School campuses with the support of the Year 8 Peer Leaders as a special memorial tree of the week. The Student Executive also aims to plant a tree at the Junior School at the Lachie Wright Centre once construction is complete.
A special thanks goes to the Grounds team, especially Robert Breier, Amelia Goss, and Bek Milbourne, without whose cooperation this event would not have been possible.
Sophie Marshall
College Co-Captain
