Close the Gap Day 2019

On Thursday 4 April 2019, around 58 Maclean High Students attended the Close the Gap Day at Wherrett Park in Maclean. The purpose of this annual event is to educate and create awareness of the Close the Gap program to all youth within the Clarence Valley.

It was a fantastic day with a great turnout from schools across the Clarence Valley and the many locals who took the opportunity to call in. Our students benefitted greatly from the wide variety of stalls from the many community service organisations who shared information linked to health, education, employment and justice, such as Abcare, Nungera Youth Group, Social Futures, Head Space and Southern Cross University. The students participated in Yarning Circles, Aboriginal dance, didge music, making hand-carved implements from local timber, and were treated to a barbecue lunch.

Undoubtedly the highlight for most students was the presence of the NRL stars from the South Sydney Rabbitohs, (Cody Walker, Alex Johnston, Damien Cook, Braidon Burns) and the Parramatta Eels (Blake Ferguson and Will Smith). Students kept the players busy signing autographs and taking selfies to show off to their families and mates.

Maclean High School is very appreciative of the effort from many locals who were involved in the planning and running of the day and we thank you for allowing us to be involved.

Contributed by Liza Hamilton from Maclean High School. Published in 2019.