May2012_Community Spirit alive and well at Mt Samson State School
Mount Samson State School is a picturesque little school set in the pretty bush surrounds of Samsonvale, 25kms from Brisbane’s CBD. But it’s not only the bush setting that makes this school special, but the community that also surrounds it.
Mount Samson State School only has approximately 150 families (280 students enrolled) but is home to a special set of Mums, dedicated to making a difference in the community. The community spirit is well alive at the school with these mums dedicating hours on end of their own time towards causes that are aimed at improving the lives of those around them.
Deb Spink and Viv Kissane are the co-founders of Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness, an organisation aimed at raising awareness of Perinatal Mental Health disorders, and supporting women and families who are experiencing perinatal mental health issues, including ante/postnatal depression and anxiety.
In Northside Brisbane alone, over 15,000 families are impacted by postnatal depression every year, and very little existing support structures are in place to help these families.
Deb and Viv have worked hard over the past twelve months to set up Peach Tree as a starting point for families to seek help and access services. They have received acknowledgement and encouragement from beyondblue and Post and Ante Natal Depression Association (PANDA).
Currently, a weekly support group called Peach Tree Parents operates from the Pine Rivers Hospital. They are currently looking for members of the public to join in on the “Peach Tree Coastal Trek” which is a 22km walk to be held on the Sunshine Coast on the 12th May. See website for more information www.peachtree.org.au
Peach Tree has also received an enormous amount of support from another Mum, Belinda Davis, a graphic designer of her own business “remarkabel”. Belinda has donated thousands of dollars of work, and her own time to brand Peach Tree and create their fabulous resources. Bels, together with another mum Michelle Richards, also participated last year in the Oxfam Trail Walk and raised over $3,000 in donations.
Shannon Yeardley has established the Flower Project Foundation www.theflowerproject.com.au. This is an innovative charity that gives approximately 40 bouquets of flowers per week to people who deserve recognition for the volunteer work they do. The Flower Project is a community kindness project based on a love of flowers and sharing them with local women who are experiencing difficulties, isolation, health issues or who are in caring or foster parent roles. The Flower Project also aims to recognise the special contribution of those who volunteer much of their time to others and who work in the caring professions.
Recently, mum Fiona Engwirda became a co-Director of the Flower Project, but Fiona has also been actively promoting the organisation Queensland Kids as a very special new charity which will address the lack of respite and palliative care for children with terminal illness. Qld Kids are working towards opening Hummingbird House in late 2012. Please visit www.queenslandkids.org to learn more
Last year Mum Zoe Patterson, participated in both the Conquer Cancer bike ride and the Kokoda Trail, raising thousands of dollars for these charities. Also accompanying her on the Kokoda Trail were mums Kate Flynn and Claire Jennings. This year Mum Amanda Radcliffe is also participating in the Conquer Cancer ride and is currently fundraising. Also this year participating in Oxfam trailwalk are mums Michelle Thorpe and Michelle Richards.
Mum Jodie Miller is an old hand in community involvement, being heavily involved in the Birthing advocacy for years. However her latest venture follows on her passion for locally sourced, fresh and wholesome produce which should be widely available in the community. She has recently established ‘Samford Local Fresh Provisions’ a business based in Main Street in Samford and offering fresh and locally grown, organic produce which is also affordable. Fresh Local Provisions is currently providing organic, locally grown fruit to the school tuckshop, so that children of the school can reap the health benefits of quality organic produce.
Mt Samson is also home to the 2011 Adopt a Cop of the Year, Officer Troy Nowitzki. Officer Troy was such an excellent role model for the children of the school and ironically, it was the nomination by the Mt Samson community that played a hand in Officer Troy’s promotion and transfer to St George. Mt Samson are still very proud of Officer Troy and grateful for the extra time and effort he put into the community during his time there.
The school is brimming with many other parents who volunteer their time and energy in P&C, tuckshop, uniform shop, classroom help and sports training.
A special mention to mum Lisa Mazzeo. Lisa is seemingly tireless in the effort she gives to all school fundraisers, whether it be in the kitchen during last years’ Variety Show or baking or sewing for the Mothers/Fathers/Christmas stalls, despite holding down two jobs of her own.
These people are just but a few extraordinary people in an extraordinary community. Mount Samson is very proud of their community, and thanks all of its parents, teachers and students for their contribution towards making Mt Samson the best school in Brisbane!
Deb Spink and Viv Kissane are the co-founders of Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness, an organisation aimed at raising awareness of Perinatal Mental Health disorders, and supporting women and families who are experiencing perinatal mental health issues, including ante/postnatal depression and anxiety.
In Northside Brisbane alone, over 15,000 families are impacted by postnatal depression every year, and very little existing support structures are in place to help these families.
Deb and Viv have worked hard over the past twelve months to set up Peach Tree as a starting point for families to seek help and access services. They have received acknowledgement and encouragement from beyondblue and Post and Ante Natal Depression Association (PANDA).
Currently, a weekly support group called Peach Tree Parents operates from the Pine Rivers Hospital. They are currently looking for members of the public to join in on the “Peach Tree Coastal Trek” which is a 22km walk to be held on the Sunshine Coast on the 12th May. See website for more information www.peachtree.org.au
Peach Tree has also received an enormous amount of support from another Mum, Belinda Davis, a graphic designer of her own business “remarkabel”. Belinda has donated thousands of dollars of work, and her own time to brand Peach Tree and create their fabulous resources. Bels, together with another mum Michelle Richards, also participated last year in the Oxfam Trail Walk and raised over $3,000 in donations.
Shannon Yeardley has established the Flower Project Foundation www.theflowerproject.com.au. This is an innovative charity that gives approximately 40 bouquets of flowers per week to people who deserve recognition for the volunteer work they do. The Flower Project is a community kindness project based on a love of flowers and sharing them with local women who are experiencing difficulties, isolation, health issues or who are in caring or foster parent roles. The Flower Project also aims to recognise the special contribution of those who volunteer much of their time to others and who work in the caring professions.
Recently, mum Fiona Engwirda became a co-Director of the Flower Project, but Fiona has also been actively promoting the organisation Queensland Kids as a very special new charity which will address the lack of respite and palliative care for children with terminal illness. Qld Kids are working towards opening Hummingbird House in late 2012. Please visit www.queenslandkids.org to learn more
Last year Mum Zoe Patterson, participated in both the Conquer Cancer bike ride and the Kokoda Trail, raising thousands of dollars for these charities. Also accompanying her on the Kokoda Trail were mums Kate Flynn and Claire Jennings. This year Mum Amanda Radcliffe is also participating in the Conquer Cancer ride and is currently fundraising. Also this year participating in Oxfam trailwalk are mums Michelle Thorpe and Michelle Richards.
Mum Jodie Miller is an old hand in community involvement, being heavily involved in the Birthing advocacy for years. However her latest venture follows on her passion for locally sourced, fresh and wholesome produce which should be widely available in the community. She has recently established ‘Samford Local Fresh Provisions’ a business based in Main Street in Samford and offering fresh and locally grown, organic produce which is also affordable. Fresh Local Provisions is currently providing organic, locally grown fruit to the school tuckshop, so that children of the school can reap the health benefits of quality organic produce.
Mt Samson is also home to the 2011 Adopt a Cop of the Year, Officer Troy Nowitzki. Officer Troy was such an excellent role model for the children of the school and ironically, it was the nomination by the Mt Samson community that played a hand in Officer Troy’s promotion and transfer to St George. Mt Samson are still very proud of Officer Troy and grateful for the extra time and effort he put into the community during his time there.
The school is brimming with many other parents who volunteer their time and energy in P&C, tuckshop, uniform shop, classroom help and sports training.
A special mention to mum Lisa Mazzeo. Lisa is seemingly tireless in the effort she gives to all school fundraisers, whether it be in the kitchen during last years’ Variety Show or baking or sewing for the Mothers/Fathers/Christmas stalls, despite holding down two jobs of her own.
These people are just but a few extraordinary people in an extraordinary community. Mount Samson is very proud of their community, and thanks all of its parents, teachers and students for their contribution towards making Mt Samson the best school in Brisbane!
