Kids learn the gift of giving

STUDENTS in Grade 5 at St Joseph’s School, Atherton are supporting peers from Lahir Island, Papua New Guinea by creating Care Bags full of schooling essentials.

The special project, which took off during Lent, is a part of the school’s efforts to “Pray, Fast, Give”, whilst teaching their students compassion towards others and giving them awareness that others are less fortunate.

Currently the students are bringing in items such as school bags (or bags suitable to be used at school), water bottles, lunch boxes, stationery items (eg. pencils, easers, scissors, rulers), books for completing schoolwork, and fun items such as hair ties, handballs, tennis balls and small toys to fill the care bags.

The students are also writing letters to the students that will be placed inside the bags.

Kate Daniels, an expatriate currently living in Lihir, was the inspiration behind the idea af- ter she bought the conditions students learn in to light.

“The kids need pens, paper, lunchboxes, old school bags. Anything really that they may need for school. They basically have nothing,” she said.

“There is no running water or electricity. The teachers are trying their best but have very little to work with. They are grateful for anything that they may receive.”

The project will continue until the Easter break, whereupon donations will be boxed up ready to send to Lihir Island.

They will be distributed to the many island schools for the benefit of the students. Through participating in this special project, the Year 5 students are hoping to deepen their understanding of the needs of others and the importance of giving.

CLAUDE CATER MENSLAND CELEBRATES 60 YEARS – P17-20

Steam train trips are on

VOLUNTEERS of the Atherton Herberton Historic Railway are excited to announce that the trips using its fully restored 1905 Peckett Steam Locomotive along with its 1910 historic wooden passenger carriage will commence this weekend.

The train takes passengers from the old Herberton Railway Station to the Herberton historic village and has been made possible after the volunteers completed a major upgrade of the bridge.

Patrons can now book online via the website (www.athrail.com), or can just turn up at the railway station, however, booked customers have priority.

The steam train will operate on the second and fourth weekends of each month, both Saturday and Sunday. There will be other special days during which the train will run but they will be advised in the near future.

Another new vet surgery approved

HOT on the heels of an approval for a larger Tablelands Veterinary Surgery in Atherton, another vet service is expanding.

Tropical Vets has been given the green light by Tablelands Regional Council to construct a new premises on a vacant block on the corner of Cook and Mabel Streets. The service currently operates out of a small Queenslander in Louise Street.

The veterinary clinic will consist of consultation rooms, utilities, grooming and kennels for overnight hospitalisation and treatment of animals.