From Geelong to Tanna: A story of friendship

PHIL TAYLOR, TEACHER OF DESIGN & CREATIVE ARTS

For the past 17 years, The Geelong College has been privileged to maintain an educational partnership with Lenakel Presbyterian College on Tanna Island, Vanuatu. This small island, measuring 30km by 10km, lies 200km south of Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila.

The College’s connection with Tanna was established by Ian Macmillan, former Head of the Preparatory School, whose grandfather served as a missionary on Tanna for 36 years in the early 1900s.

Since 2007, many College students and staff have visited Lenakel College, staying with local hosts and learning about Pacific Island life and culture. Unfortunately, this year’s trip was cancelled due to the collapse of Air Vanuatu.

To maintain the connection, the College collected donations of clothing and medical items with the involvement of students, staff and parents. This effort resulted in the successful shipment of two pallets to Port Vila, which were then transported onward to Tanna Island—a challenging feat given the remote logistics involved.

Infrastructure and transportation between Pacific Islands are notoriously complex, but we’ve been fortunate to receive support from current parent Meyric Slimming. Through his company, Silentworld Shipping and Logistics, Meyric and his team helped coordinate the shipment, ensuring a smooth and safe delivery. Special thanks go to Romiel and Anna in Port Vila, whose assistance in navigating bureaucratic red tape was invaluable.

The shipment included medical supplies donated by the Savides and Smith families, alongside items initially contributed back in 2015 following Cyclone Pam’s devastating impact. A current Year 12 student, Rhi Hetherington, deserves special recognition for raising funds on GoFundMe to purchase sports equipment for the students at Lenakel College. This contribution will bring excitement to the students, who seldom have access to new sports gear, often using thatched palm fronds as substitutes for a ball.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all College families and staff who have contributed clothing, goods, and support to the Lenakel community over the years. Your generosity has made such a positive impact.

Message from the Principal of Lenakel Presbyterian College:

“We at Lenakel Harbour View Presbyterian College, Lenakel Central Hospital, Tuhu Latan School, and Lenakel Presbyterian College would like to express our sincere gratitude for the generous gifts we received yesterday, 14 October 2024. Your kindness and thoughtfulness have truly touched our hearts and made a significant difference in our communities.

The gifts will undoubtedly benefit our students, patients and staff. We are particularly grateful for the books, sporting and hospital equipment. Your generosity will help to maintain a relationship that will keep resonating in the future and will elevate the morale of our community, knowing that you are out here praying for us as well as we do for you.

On behalf of all of us, we would like to extend our warmest thanks to you and Geelong College for your support. Your generosity is a testament to the spirit of giving and compassion.”

Despite a few hiccups, including COVID-19, typhoons and the airline collapse preventing Year 10 trips from going ahead, we hope to continue this strong relationship of friendship and cooperation long into the future.

Further to our connection with Tanna, the school also sent 25 boxes of uniforms to Zara, a fashion retail company, that run a used clothing donation program to give them a new life. These are then sorted and distributed to people at risk of exclusion via non-profit organisations.

For those interested in future donations, please email: phil.taylor@tgc.vic.edu.au