Flinders supports flood-affected Gympie families, raising $12,000 by donning fluoro in tribute to emergency services
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Students, staff and families at Matthew Flinders Anglican College raised more than $12,000 in a single day for Gympie Region people impacted by the recent floods, while donning fluoro to acknowledge emergency crews and volunteers
Students, staff and families at Matthew Flinders Anglican College have raised more than $12,000 in a single day for Gympie Region people impacted by the recent floods, while donning fluoro to acknowledge emergency crews and volunteers.
Primary and Secondary students raised $7,700 in cash and $4,600 in gift cards by organising a uniform-free fundraiser.
A bright fluoro “high-vis” theme was chosen to pay tribute to Queensland’s brave emergency crews and volunteers.
Year 12 student Maddy Archer said that she was inspired by the College’s community spirit, especially given that many Flinders families were directly affected by the flood event.
“The highlights were seeing everyone in their funky fluoro outfits, as well as the overwhelming amount of donations across the school for such a worthy cause,” Maddy said.
“Everyone showed their support through clothing items and monetary donations, which was awesome to see.
“I think it’s important for our College community to come together so we can support one another, especially because many of us and our families and friends were affected by floods.
“Whether it was as simple as road closures or as serious as losing housing and belongings, many of us were moved by this natural disaster as it was close to home.”
“I think it’s important for our College community to come together so we can support one another, especially because many of us and our families and friends were affected by floods,” Year 12 Flinders student Maddy Archer said (second from left, pictured with Genevieve Millbank, Chloe Voss and Natasha Beutel in March 2022)
Thousands of much needed items were also donated by the College community.
College Chaplain The Rev’d Kathrin Koning said that she was overwhelmed by the Flinders community’s generosity, with the cash, gift cards and supplies to be passed to local parish priest The Rev’d Shaji Joseph for distribution.
“Our Flinders community was invited to donate items, and people have been so generous!” The Rev’d Kathrin said.
“Students, staff and parent volunteers helped to organise the hundreds of bags of donations we received within just a few days, which included food, quality clothes and bedding, children’s toys, cleaning products and other supplies.
“The College has established a relationship with the Anglican Parish of Gympie and Region, so The Rev’d Shaji Joseph will be distributing the funds, cards and supplies as he becomes aware of residents’ unique needs.
“He explained to us that many people don’t have a home to go to – not to fix or even refurnish. It will take a long time, even for that step.
Flinders Chaplain The Rev’d Kathrin Koning sorting donations collected by the College community for flood-affected Gympie Region people in March 2022
Upon learning of the support, The Rev’d Shaji Joseph contacted the Flinders community to express his gratitude.
“We are humbled and touched by your generosity and the great sense of love and compassion shown by your school community at this difficult time,” The Rev’d Shaji wrote.
Principal Stuart Meade said the initiative has enabled the Flinders community to work together to support people in need in the region.
“Families are suffering in our Sunshine Coast community and so our Flinders community wanted to be proactive and find a way to assist in an impactful way,” Mr Meade said.
“We aim to prepare our students as socially responsible citizens for just this sort of service to their communities where they not only empathise, but also feel confident and capable of playing a positive role to help.”
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