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PHOTO CREDITS
Above (Left to Right): Peter Large (Books in Homes), and Jordan Andersen (Owens Transport – a Mainfreight Company) at the National Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo 2018, fund-raising for Books in Homes Australia.
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On Friday 13 to Sunday 15 April 2018, Julie Ditrich and I took shifts at the National Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo, which was held near Penrith Panthers. We joined the Mainfreight sales team who were exhibiting and also raising money for Books in Homes with a sausage sizzle. The weather varied from hot to windy, but either way it was great to get some fresh air. Besides helping the Mainfreight team hand out water bottles and sausage and onion sandwiches to passersby for a gold coin donation, we were also able to spread the word about what the charity does. We want to acknowledge Mainfreight's generosity in giving up their time over the weekend to assist Books in Homes. Their team's dedication and enthusiasm made our little joint venture at Penrith a lot of fun for all involved. From a personal perspective, Julie and I really enjoyed spending the time with everyone there, and it was a great opportunity to share a few laughs. Mainfreight's sausage sizzle raised $615.40, which means a lot to us—we are looking to direct the funds to an Indigenous school in the Northern Territory that has been calling out for Books in Homes for the past year. That weekend and the fundraising efforts also offered us another reason to celebrate with Mainfreight, as it marked our first anniversary of working alongside Mainfreight at its Banksmeadow office, which has been a very rewarding and welcome place for us to base our operations, whilst minimising the overheads of Books in Homes, thanks of course to Mainfreight.
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Peter Large
Chief Executive Officer &
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees
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Story and photos contributed by Alfina Tusa from Woolianna School, NT.
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Woolianna School is a remote school in the Top End of the NT, around 200 kilometres from Darwin. Our principal Theo and his wife Marieta make sure everything runs smoothly. As well as teaching, there are many other jobs like checking we have enough water in the tanks in the dry season or dealing with the odd snake visitor. Our local staff from Nauiyu community Sharon, Kelly and Chrysilla, are mums and nannas to the kids, always encouraging their attendance and learning.
Theo is always looking for ways to enrich the children's learning from organising sports days to welcoming teams like Red Dust and Corrugated Iron. Our major focus is literacy as, for most children, English is a second or third language. That's why Books in Homes is so important in the children’s lives, teaching them about the value of books and the enjoyment of reading. Every term we receive treasured books from our very generous and compassionate sponsors, Billy and Pillipa King. The children, who would otherwise have limited access, are so excited to receive the books they have chosen themselves. It's amazing to see how engrossed the children are in their books—how they love to turn the pages as their faces light up with wonder and the joy of discovery.
In January this year the Daly River catchment area had over 600mm of rain and the river rose to around 14.6 metres, causing a major flood. Our Books in Homes order had been delivered but remained on the truck waiting to be transported to the Nauiyu community, which was under water. Most of the families had been evacuated by helicopter to Darwin while the teachers packed up all their resources and travelled to Darwin for the Flood School.
Finally, when the waters receded, we were able to drive into the community to pick up the mail and our Books in Homes order. What a welcome package for the children after all their adventures! Thank you so much Books in Homes!
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PHOTO CREDITS
Above: Woolianna on the flooded Daly River in the NT, as well as a HUNGRY HUNGRY crocodile on the causeway.
Below: Happy students after receiving their waterproof Books in Homes book bags and books (now perhaps we can understand why the book bags are waterproof!!!).
Bottom Right Hand Column: More happy students showing off their Books in Homes books-of-choice.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: So you think you have troubles getting to school each day—what a story!
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Sponsor: Rotary Club of Mosman
Location: Mosman, NSW
Website: www.mosmanrotary.org.au
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What the Rotary Club of Mosman do?
The Rotary Club of Mosman has been a leading service organisation on the North Shore of Sydney since it was formed over 55 years ago. Members contribute their time, energy and passion to sustainable, long term projects both within Australia and across the globe. Each project has its own specific humanitarian aims but common to all is a desire to make the world a better place. Examples include disease prevention and treatment, disaster relief, water and sanitation etc.
How long has the Rotary Club of Mosman been supporting Books in Homes Australia?
The Rotary Club of Mosman has been a supporter of Books in Homes Australia since 2013.
What school does the Rotary Club of Mosman currently sponsor?
The organisation supports Hebersham Public School in NSW.
"When the children get their books at an assembly the joy and interest they exhibit promises the start of a life long love of reading."
Derek Andrew, President, Rotary Club of Mosman
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Name: Ruben Meerman
Location: Mermaid Beach, Qld
Job: Author and Science Presenter
Website:
www.rubenmeerman.com
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What part of your work most interests you?
Finding new science demonstrations to entertain children while simultaneously motivating their teachers to do more science experiments in class. For example, I recently discovered that even very young children know that people inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. However, ask them how those carbon atoms get into their bodies so they can breathe them back out again and even their teachers are stumped. Simply pouring some liquid nitrogen over a transparent balloon to make the exhaled carbon dioxide inside freeze and turn into solid dry ice blows children’s minds and simultaneously reignites the child-like curiosity in their teachers. It’s the best job in the world.
How did you choose your career path?
I had no idea my career path existed when I was at school but I’ve always followed my interests. So far, I’ve been lucky enough to make a living out of being curious.
What do you do to relax?
Surf, walk, run on the soft sand, and lots of reading.
Who has inspired you most in life? Why?
The legendary genius, Richard Feynman, a bongo-playing, safe-cracking, Nobel prize-winning theoretical physicist. To see why, just read his autobiography, Surely You’re Joking, Mr Feynman!
What did you most enjoy about school? Why?
Being around other kids and laughing, because I was just an ordinary kid.
What did you hate most about school?
Getting in big trouble, because it stopped me from laughing.
What advice would you give your 10 year old self?
Do more maths.
What three children’s books were your favourites when you were at school?
My family emigrated to Australia from the Netherlands when I was nine years old, so my favourite children’s books were Pinkletje, the adventures of a miniature man, and Duifje, the story of a pigeon that lived high up on a steeple overlooking a busy city. The first English children’s book I remember devouring, endlessly, was Star Wars, which came with an audio cassette you could read along with.
What would you take to a desert island?
A surfboard, a university library and a well-stocked and fully equipped kitchen.
And just for fun, choose your preference below:
Cats or dogs? Dogs.
Ice cream or cake? Ice cream cake.
Plays or musicals? Plays.
Football or soccer? I'm not into sport.
Tea or coffee? Black coffee, no sugar, lots of it.
Sailing boat or speed boat? Sailing with renewable wind energy.
Chocolate or chips? Chips.
TV or computer games? TV.
Book or TV? Book.
Swimming or cycling? Cycling.
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For all the budding chefs, mums, dads and families out there this is your opportunity to win one of five copies of Fast Food for Busy Families by Pete Evans, who is currently appearing on My Kitchen Rules. To enter the competition just send an email to support@booksinhomesaustralia.com.au with the following information:
1. Email Subject Line: COOKING BOOK COMPETITION
2. Your full name
2. Your school name (if applicable)
3. Your address
4. Your phone number
5. Answer the following question:
What is the name of the chef and author of Fast Food for Busy Families?
COMPETITION RULES:
* The closing date for the competition is Friday 11 May 2018 at 5:00pm (AEST – Sydney time).
* The competition is open to all subscribers of THE BRIDGE (students, Schools, Role Models, Sponsors and others) excluding any employees of Books in Homes Australia.
* Enter as many times as you like for more chances to win.
* The first five correct and complete, randomly selected entries will be deemed the winners.
• Only one prize pack will be awarded per person or school.
* The competition will be drawn on Monday 14 May 2018 at 11:00am.
* The winners will be notified by email on Tuesday 15 May 2018, and the prize packs will be mailed to the addresses of the five winners included in the emails of the winning entries.
* The winners' names will be published in the next issue of THE BRIDGE (#42, May 2018).
Good luck!
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TOP 5 TERM 1, 2018 TITLES!
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The Top 5 Books chosen by students from the Term 1, 2018 Primary Book Catalogue in each reading level were:
ORANGE
1. Superbat
2. Ruth Galloway's Underwater Stories
3. Alligator is Angry
4. My Meerkat Mum
5. Bad Ned
BLUE
1. Shopkins: The Ultimate Collectors Guide
2. Spider-Man Storybook (with CD)
3. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fossil
4. The Perfect Thing
5. Ida, Always
PURPLE
1. Dog Man #3: A Tale of Two Kitties
2. Diary of a Minecraft Zombie #4: Zombie Swap
3. Pokemon Classic Collector's Handbook
4. Werdo #9: Spooky Weird!
5. The Bad Guys Episode 6: Aleins vs Bad Guys
GREEN
1. Ella Diaries #10: Friendship S.O.S.
2. Tom Gates #13: Epic Adventure (Kind of)
3. Wings of Fire #2: The Lost Heir
4. The Secret Cooking Club
5. Star Wars Jedi Academy #5: The Force Oversleeps
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THE CATWOMAN & ROBIN LEGO® COMPETITION WINNERS
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Thank you to all the individuals and schools who entered the CATWOMAN AND ROBIN LEGO® COMPETITION that was published in last month's edition of THE BRIDGE. We received EVEN MORE entries than any of our previous competitions! Very popular! The answers to the word puzzle were: ROBIN and CATWOMAN.
Congratulation to the five winners. They are:
- Mikaela Vermeulen, Beresfield Public School, Beresfield, NSW
- Zachariah Munar, Nganmarriyanga School, via Winnellie, Palumpa, NT
- Elizabeth Bath, Tuntable Creek Public School, Tuntable Creek, NSW
- Lauren Roberts, Haasts Bluff School, via Alice Springs, NT
- Eliza Kiem, Urbenville Public School, Urbenville, NSW
Keep an eye out for further exciting competitions including the one above!
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MAINFREIGHT CALENDAR – MAY 2018
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CLICK on the calendar above to download.
Provided courtesy of Mainfreight.
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