Living in the city, it’s easy to forget the devastating effects of drought currently being faced by those in other parts of Australia.
Earlier this year, Wadhurst students came together to make a difference to a drought-affected community through a concert staged during Term 2.
“The small town of Menindee in regional New South Wales has attracted nationwide attention after millions of Murray cod were found dead on its riverbanks,” explained Jaden Taveira, 2019 Captain of Music at Wadhurst, speaking at the concert. “This has caused the town’s water supply and quality to rapidly dwindle. Now, residents are unable to use the water that comes out of their taps.”
Ms Melinda Sawers, Head of Music at Wadhurst, was impressed with the way the Wadhurst community rallied behind her idea of raising money for Menindee through the water-themed concert called ‘Music for the Murray’.
“Students and staff were very enthusiastic,” she explains. “A group of three Year 8 students who have their own band – Jack Whitbourn, Will Nixon and Stuart Galloway – wrote an original song. Chris Tsang, Year 8, decided to perform a piece called ‘The River Flows in You’ on piano, and Rev’d Malcolm Woolrich accompanied the Wadhurst Choir on piano throughout their three pieces.”
In conjunction with funds raised from a sausage sizzle and Casual Clothes day, the Music for the Murray concert surpassed its initial goal and raised $2000 for the Menindee community. With these funds, Wadhurst purchased a new water tank for Menindee’s only school, replacing one that had corroded due to the effects of the drought.
“Apart from the support we were able to provide this small community, I feel the benefit of an activity like this is that students are better connected to the things that are happening around them – things the they don’t come across in their everyday lives,” says Ms Sawers. “This is another way we can put them in contact with the world beyond their immediate experience.”
“The fact that Wadhurst students came together to do this – and saw the direct positive impact they had – is so important,” adds Ms Sawers.
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