This year, several of our Year 9 students have been actively involved in the Bunnings Rotary barbecues on weekends at both Collingwood and Port Melbourne. This past weekend, Millie D. and Chanelle Y. were at the Collingwood barbecue, supervised by Mr Jordan Miller, while Josephine W. and Nina C. assisted at Port Melbourne, under the guidance of Miss Enya Hannigan. The students were fully engaged, and by the end of their shifts, they were confidently running the show!

Since St Aloysius College began participating three months ago, these barbecues have helped raise nearly $10,000 to support those in need. The funds will go towards providing essentials such as sleeping bags, toiletries, and other necessities, while also supporting programmes that empower future leaders to create positive change.

Rotary, a global humanitarian organisation, focuses on addressing critical issues such as poverty, education, and health. The money raised from these barbecues will contribute to Rotary's ongoing mission to improve lives both locally and around the world by fostering peace, fighting disease, supporting education, and alleviating poverty.

The students have thoroughly enjoyed being part of this initiative. Here’s what Millie and Chanelle had to say about their experience at the Collingwood barbecue:

On Saturday, Chanelle and I had a fantastic time volunteering at the Bunnings sausage sizzle in Collingwood. I really enjoyed connecting with the community, serving customers, and explaining how their donations would fund barbecues for the homeless and support other services for those in need. It was such a rewarding experience, one I won’t forget, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking to get involved.
Millie D
Over the weekend, Millie and I helped out at the sausage sizzle, and it was an incredibly fun and inspiring experience. We got to meet so many different people, and we even learned how to cook sausages on a barbecue! It was really rewarding to see everyone enjoying the food. The event also gave us a chance to put the Mercy values of service and hospitality into action by creating a welcoming atmosphere for the community. Overall, it was an amazing day that taught us new skills and the importance of giving back.
Chanelle Y