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TV advertising guru casts local children by Marcus Priaulx 28 October 2013
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Christmas dinner conversation has had South Burnett children cast for a TV ad that shows the importance of education. Advertising guru John Lyons made the trip from Melbourne to test the area’s school students for a commercial he hopes will inspire parents to send their children to school every day on time. About 70 pupils from 10 schools in Moffatdale, Murgon, Cherbourg, Wondai and Kingaroy all sat before the camera. Former Murgon primary and high school classmates Steven Renouf and Leah Purcell will also take part. The footy and acting stars went through their entire schooling and graduations together and were only too keen to help. Barambah Parental and Community Engagement (PaCE) coordinator Marcus Priaulx is pulling the effort together after the idea was raised last Christmas. “John and I were hoeing into turkey when we started talking about how important it is for all children’s future, and that of the Australia and the world, for parents
Being able to read allows us to learn the script: Front: Murgon State School twins Ciana and Nadia Cummings and back, Traevonnah Fisher, Koby Douglas and Jenaiya Simpson were happy to help. Images supplied
to send their children to school every day,” Marcus said. “I told him it was my job to build an education culture so every parent did send their children to school every day and John said he’d like to help. “I said ‘you can’ but didn’t really know what he did. I do now and we’re only too happy to bring him out of retirement to help instil the importance of education for people’s future happiness.” John has offered his services for free and one thing has since led to another. Leah and Steven came on board
Helping your mate: Wondai P – 9’s Maddy Blair was on hand to support Brandeena Langton’s try out for the commercial.
at the same rate, as did the National Indigenous Radio in Westend, Brisbane, and Koori Radio 93.7FM in Redfern, Sydney, who provided a studio and sound engineers. A small sponsorship has secured money for the production costs and airing of the ad. Further funds are being chased so the ad can be viewed far and wide for a length of time, from January. “We’re negotiating with TV stations and I’ll hunt for further sponsorships in coming weeks,” Marcus said. “We’ll also try to make the ad go viral. “To me, it’s vital that parents get the message they need to read to their children from the day they’re born and send them to school every day, on time, from the youngest of ages. “I believe that would solve just about every social issue going if they did.” The shooting will now be at St Joseph’s, Murgon, library on November 12 and Kingaroy State School library on November 13. For more information please phone Barambah PaCE coordinator Marcus Priaulx on (07) 4168 2330 or 0403 002 306.
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