St Joseph's Nudgee College

July 13, 2012

When the St Joseph’s Nudgee College Identity Office put the call out to help a Fijian village devastated by flash flooding, the result was overwhelming.

“In April this year the Fijian village of Semo was devastated by flash flooding,” said Director of Justice and Peace Mr Mark Ellison.

“Semo is the home village of Merewai Gordon, mother of Nudgee College students Joseph and Connor Gordon, and a place that the Gordon family visit each time they visit Fiji.

“Semo village was one of the hardest hit in the floods with only the church and two houses remaining intact. The other 56 houses in the village were significantly damaged, leaving them uninhabitable and washing most of the possessions away. The villagers are now living in a nearby village before they can return to their normal lives.

“At the Armidale Rugby tour earlier this year a group of staff and parents decided to create an appeal to help support Merewai’s village,” Mr Ellison said.

The College did not want cash donations. Instead the call was put out for items which are in the greatest need: manchester, shoes, school bags and bedding. 

The support from the Nudgee College community, particularly the members of the Junior school was fantastic.

“During Term 2 we promoted the EREA Charter Touchstone of Inclusive Community,” Mr Ellison said.

“In my first six weeks at Nudgee College I was blown away by just how supportive, inclusive, and far-reaching this community is. The Semo Village Flood Appeal was another way we could all contribute to supporting those most in need in our extended community, as well as a couple of young men in our immediate community.”

In addition to the extensive range of goods donated by the College community, two external companies also made significant contributions.

Mr Dominic Allen, father of Hugo (Year 5), and PPI filled the remaining space in the shipping container with pipes.

"The company I work for, PPI Corporation, is a leading manufacturer and supplier of products for irrigation, drainage, water supply and domestic watering,” Mr Allen said.

“PPI is an Australian owned, private company with manufacturing and warehouse facilities geographically spread across Australia and New Zealand.

“It is most common in major flood events to have any existing irrigation or water piping completely wiped out during the event. PPI was happy to donate a large amount of piping products to the appeal."

Mr Craig Page works at Crown Worldwide (Aust) Pty Limited and is the father of Jordon (Year 8). Crown delivered all the packing boxes and tape free of charge for the donations to be packed.

A fundraising event is also being planned for later this year at the Eatons Hill Hotel. Further details will be advised during Term 3.
 

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