Last year, when Kate visited the Solomon Islands to work with Bathurst Rotary Club members in the construction of a toilet block at an outlying School at Nazareth, there was a call out for children’s books to take to the school.A few months later, I learned that Carcoar School was revamping their library and many of the outdated, duplicated and damaged books would be culled. I asked Beryl and Kate could they use the books, but apparently, it would be extremely difficult to transport the books to the location unless the books were carried in personal luggage .
Irene Jones then suggested she could contact Roberta Porter, who was the DG of the District 9500 (which includes Thursday Island) during Irene’s year as DG, to explore options for the use of the books in remote areas of northern Australia. Irene was referred to Romina Fuji, the President of the Rotary Club of Thursday Island.
Romina responded indicating that she would be happy to receive the children’s books, but also would welcome books for teenagers and adults. Irene also asked if Romina could provide us with a contact in a primary school at TI, so Carcoar and a TI school could form a communication channel.
Books have now been collected and Carol Weston (seen right) at our last meeting discussed the project with President Doug.To transport the books to TI, Erik Mol (being in the aviation industry), approached Regional Express Airlines to see if they would transport the two 20kg boxes to Cairns. From Cairns, Steve Darlington thought his son, a Rescue Helicopter Pilot in the Cape York region, may be able to transport the books form Cairns to TI.
However, Rex has now agreed to transport the books to Bamiga, Cape York. From there, the TI Rotary Club will arrange transport to Thursday Island.
The Rotary Club of Thursday Island will by handing the books to the Canon Boggo Pilot Hostel, Thursday Island. The Hostel which was opened in 2000 and honours Boggo Pilot (1921-1981) and his conviction that ‘in our struggle against racism and other forms of discrimination and injustice, education is the key’. The facilities provide accommodation for Indigenous Australians who need to be away from home to access life-changing education, employment, health and other services. The hostel is safe, comfortable, affordable and also offers those living there three meals each day during their stay.
Many thanks to Christine Hood of RC Bathurst Daybreak for this contribution.