Chappy Chat

It was with much sadness that I said farewell to the staff, parents, and students of Rainbow Beach State School during the last week of term as I will be unable to continue my role this year due to the Government’s mandate that all people working or volunteering on school grounds must be vaccinated.

I loved being back at the school last year and thank everyone for making me feel so welcome, and for the many friendships that were renewed and new ones made. It is so disappointing that our government has chosen to force everyone to be vaccinated and I am desperately hoping and praying that this will not extend to children.

It has been a tough few weeks since then, knowing that I will not be at the school this year, however opportunities are opening up whereby I can still be involved in supporting the Rainbow Beach community.

This includes continuing to open the Community Pantry at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Carlo Road on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm, starting again on Tuesday 3 January.

We opened the pantry in the two weeks prior to Christmas and a family from as far away as Maryborough heard about what we were doing and rang to seek assistance. We helped several families in Rainbow Beach and Cooloola Cove and locals also dropped off items to pass on to others.

Items such as precooked meals, fruit, vegetables, canned goods and hygiene items are available at no cost to individuals and families in need. A generous local lady is supporting us financially on a monthly basis and if you would like to do the same, please contact me on 0413 135 867 and I will give you our bank details.

I have been given permission from the Gympie Anglican Diocese to open the hall where the pantry is situated as a meeting place this year for parent groups and activities for students such as music, sewing, photography, computers, and art/craft.

Tea and coffee are available so please call in for a cuppa if you are passing. I will continue to be a listening ear and a caring heart in the community, even if I can’t be at the school.

The timeless story of Christmas was remembered at a Community Carols Night at the Church on Sunday 19 December that commenced with a BBQ at 5.30pm and carols starting at 6.30pm. Carols and items were led by Pam Graham from Cooloola Cove and the Cooloola Coast Ukulele Group with the talented Gympie singing group ‘Rhythm ‘n’ Class’ also helping to lead the singing.

Thanks to Ray Bray for a great job of providing sound, Father Shaji from the Gympie Anglican Church for his devotion, members of the Good Shepherd Church especially Annette and Doug Collins and Lyn Bleakley for helping to organise the evening and my family for their willingness to help out with the BBQ.

Ronnie Timperon