Gilgandra Public School will throw opens its doors to the local community with a sausage sizzle on Thursday morning to celebrate the much-anticipated arrival of their new Variety Sunshine Coach.
Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT grants Sunshine Coaches to schools and community organisations that support children living with a disability, chronic illness, financial hardship or geographic isolation.
Gilgandra Public School is receiving a 25-seater Mitsubishi Rosa with wheelchair accommodations valued at $227,954.
Principal Mick Darcy said the coach is a vital resource that will make an incredible difference, not only to their 200 students, but to the wider Gilgandra community.
“We aim to provide opportunities for all our students to access education, experiences and support that enable them to live their best lives but it’s not always easy given our rural and remote location,’ he said.
“Gilgandra is 45 minutes (65km) from Dubbo, our nearest major centre, with virtually no public transport options for local families. Over the years, the cost of hiring transport has become prohibitive which has meant that our kids do often miss out.”
“To participate in sporting events at higher levels or special events designed for students with specific educational needs or paediatrician appointments, travel is required. This is often a barrier faced not only by our school but also parents and carers in the community.”
“Our new coach means our students will have immediate access to opportunities when they arise, whether that’s visiting cultural events in Dubbo, transporting our students to swimming lessons and sporting competitions or supporting families to take students to vital specialist appointments.”
“The coach will be hugely beneficial for our students with mobility issues as it is fitted with wheelchair access. Students from our school also love to entertain residents at the local retirement village so the coach will enable us to foster even greater community connections here in Gilgandra.”
“The activities and experiences that this coach will allow may seem inconsequential to those who don’t understand life in a small, rural community but to many, it will be life changing.”
Variety NSW/ACT CEO, Tony Warner, said the program supports the delivery of Variety’s mission to ensure all children have the same opportunities in life.
“Variety Sunshine Coaches provide transport for children to access their community and experience a range of special programs and activities they would be otherwise unable to attend,” he said.
“Since Variety Australia was founded in 1975, the Variety Sunshine Coach program has granted over 1300 coaches to schools and community organisations across the country.”
“The program is vital to our vision for all Australian children to reach their full potential, regardless of ability or background.”
To find out more, visit https://www.variety.org.au/nsw/programs/sunshine-coaches/
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