By Stephanie Kemp

Initiative to support school

Belinda Laird, relieving principal, and Leanne Howell, learning support, from Gerringong Public School came to one of our July meetings to tell us about a new initiative they are planning for the school.

Even in a small peaceful community like Gerringong, a number of children struggle with being in the school environment, perhaps because they are neurodiverse or they have mental health issues or because there is stuff going on at home that means they are stressed when they get to school.

The school has five teacher’s aides each day, but each class has two or three children who need support.

Belinda and Leanne want to turn an empty classroom into a safe space where kids can get away from whatever is triggering them, access some support and chill out if they need to before they return to class calm and ready to learn.

The room will have a staff member on duty at all times and be a quiet space to relax with a selection of calming activities available.

Belinda Laird, relieving principal, and Leanne Howell, learning support, from Gerringong Public School at our meeting.

This way, children can stay in the Gerringong community for their education, rather than having to travel to a specialist unit elsewhere.

Rotary is donating $1000 to this initiative and the Men’s Shed has offered to make any furniture items they may need.

All change

Gerringong Rotary held its changeover lunch at the Gerroa Fishermen's Club at the end of June, when the reins of the club were passed from 2024-25 president John Green to his successor, Graham St Clair.

The club also celebrated Christa Wood’s nomination as Rotarian of the Year 2025 for District 9705 and John Green’s award as a Paul Harris Fellow for his substantial contribution to Rotary’s humanitarian and educational programs.

John Green receives his award.

Friends across the sea

Gerringong Rotary recently had the pleasure of a second social visit by our Taiwanese exchange student from 2019/2020, Denice Huang, who has spent the past year studying at ANU to complete the overseas component of her degree.

Denice and her parents joined us for dinner at Cronin’s Hotel during one of our social evenings and small gifts were exchanged.

They spent a delightful few days at the home of Denice’s first host parents, Jo and Mark Cuthbertson, followed by Denice showing her parents the local area before they returned to Taiwan.

It was a delight to reconnect with her after a five-year pause and we now look forward to further visits in the years ahead.

New members and friends are always welcome - see www.gerringongrotary.com.au or contact [email protected].