Youth

An Australian university has discovered four in five primary school students have no idea how modern milk is produced. The survey of more than 5000 Australian primary and secondary students found many had outdated ideas about where food came from, with the majority thinking cows were still milked by hand.

Fancy dresses and suits were the order of the day last Friday evening as the students of the Tennant Creek High School attended their annual Formal. School shirts were put aside as the students made every effort to look their best, and succeeded, in most cases to look like they could have easily attended New York Fashion Week.

The much-loved camp on Derby Hill will officially close its doors on Saturday, 24 September. The results of the closure are widespread, with 25 employees left without work and the cancellation of all future school camps and programs for disadvantaged young people. The future of the camp is uncertain, and many are concerned about the loss of a valued community facility.

ac.care. Caring adults living in regional South Australia are helping ensure the state’s most vulnerable children are safe and secure by welcoming them into their homes and families as foster carers. ac.care works with 81 carer households across the Limestone Coast, supporting more than 100 children. This diverse network of carers is dedicated to supporting young people and children in their care, providing love, stability and safety.

Vale View State School was the place to be last Saturday, its fete a huge success with a crowd numbering in the hundreds turning up to support a small local school ... Crowds were kept entertained by the student performances, MC and singer Victoria Q, Garbage to Garments Fashion Parade and performances by Tornados All Stars, JE Dancehouse, Radiance Academy Toowoomba and Pinkies on Ice.

Toowoomba Quilters Club is taking its needlework in a new direction by raising money for Emerge Youth Services. At the Launch of the Club’s annual Charity Art Union, Toowoomba Quilters Club members heard about Emerge Youth Services from the organisation’s passionate CEO and Founder, Jen Shaw.

A cold and windy day with fleeting glimpses of sunshine set the stage at the Nullawil Football Grounds for the Golden Rivers Finals. The action was hot and so too were some tempers as passions ran high ... Murrabit walking away as A Grade netball premiers in the ’22 Golden Rivers Football Netball League season.

Rodney Stevens. When Brian Elvery was offered the opportunity to ride his bicycle more than 500km to raise money for Ronald McDonald House he didn’t hesitate to accept. Last week, along with a core group of a dozen other cyclists plus support crew, Mr Elvery got in the saddle on Tuesday at Inverell, for the 2022 Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW Ride For Sick Kids, aiming to raise $200,000.

With construction of the Tweed’s new inclusive play space in Goorimahbah – Place of Stories underway at Jack Evans Boat Harbour, focus is now turning to the planning and delivery of Stage 2 of the park.

Pam Dillon. Rainy weather did not deter the 11 schools who participated in the first ever Barkly region inter-school soccer carnival recently. There were beautifully sunny skies on the first day of great competition out at Purkiss Reserve. In between games, teams attended health clinics run by Anyinginyi Health. Students still keen to be out on the field at the end of competition, helped their teachers from remote schools complete a mini roos coaching course run by John Moriarty Foundation.

Allora Pony Club’s Working Horse Draft and Gymkhana saw Cambooya Pony Club win the March Past and secure the trophy for the club gaining Highest Points ... There were riders from 21 Pony Clubs compete over the weekend, with riders travelling from Mt Mee, Blackbutt, Kumbia, Dalby, Fassifern, Laidley, Goondiwindi and in between.

Urbenville School students travelled six hours to Gunnedah to recite poetry on Friday, September 2. The trip was worth it. They came back winners of the prestigious Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards. The school was awarded the highest honour ­â€‘ winning the primary school section and the national school winner ... The winning didn’t stop there.

The installation of a series of colourful storyboards in parks at Boonah and Beaudesert has marked  a new chapter for Scenic Rim libraries ... the Story Walks at Springleigh Park, Boonah, and Jubilee Park, Beaudesert, aim to encourage children’s early literacy through play while strengthening family connections and the Scenic Rim’s links to its Indigenous heritage.

Samuel Davis. Discipline and the occasional burst of individual brilliance has proven just enough to get Weipa Raiders over the line in a thrilling grand final at Andoom Oval on Saturday afternoon. Napranum Bulldogs entered the decider undefeated and favourites to claim the Western Cape Rugby League premiership cup.

Last week Maldon Primary School received the first of four visits from two very special guests: therapy dogs Archie and Mo, two members of the PAWS in Schools Program ... Evidence shows that the use of therapy dogs in a school setting can contribute towards improving the overall well-being of students.

With the state's year 12s soon to start their mock exams, I thought it opportune to go back and have a look at how our country high schools are performing. Some may recall an article I wrote in 2020, ‘Country High Schools = F Fail’ and I wondered if there has been any improvement.

Serena Kirby. WA College of Agriculture Denmark’s open day last weekend also marked 80 years since the school was established. To commemorate, education dignitaries were on hand to unveil an old collegians society plaque ... Principal Rebecca Kirkwood said she was proud of the school’s achievements as it was now widely known for its excellence in cattle and dairy programs.

WA College of Agriculture Denmark student Ella Smith won the Junior Paraders title at the recent Beverley Show ... In Junior Paraders, students lead heifers, bulls and steers and are judged on their ability to control the animal which can be a 600kg bull.

It was a beautiful winter’s day when Narrandera Golf Club hosted Juniors on the Move on Sunday August 21, with bright sunshine and no wind.

Narrandera High School finally celebrated NAIDOC Day, its first in three years, with the Welcome to Country and Didgeridoo welcome setting the scene for a day of inclusivity and education. The highlight of the day was the final event - the commissioning of the Stewart James mural.