Owen does it again! Rope4Hope wins state accolade

The announcement was made just a year after another event from Owen – SA Country Women’s Association’s Plains on a Plate - won the same accolade.

Owen Primary Schoolhas been awarded the title of South Australian Community Event of the Year for its extraordinary fundraising effort Rope4Hope.

The announcement was made just a year after another event from Owen – SA Country Women’s Association’s Plains on a Plate - won the same accolade.

After Rope4Hope was selected as Wakefield’s 2019 Community Event of the Year in December, it was automatically nominated for the State level of the awards.

Mayor Rodney Reid said the primary school was a shining light in a time of need – not only for the Wakefield region but for those doing it tough elsewhere.

When national media coverage shone a light on farmers doing it tough due to drought, including places closer to home like the Eyre Peninsula, the students at Owen Primary School were inspired to lend a hand.

Ten-year-old Charlie Millway got the ball rolling for a "fiver for a farmer" day, where all students came dressed as farmers and donated $5. But this simply wasn't enough for the students, who wanted to do more. With the help of class teacher Narelle Warner and other staff, they decided on making adjustable rope bracelets from paracord, and selling them for $2. Their goal was to send some hay to a drought stricken farmer in SA. Every student was assigned a job, and the tedious task of making bracelets began. They gave up lunchtimes, and were keen to make as many bracelets as they possibly could.

Momentum grew as the children saw their efforts make a real difference to the lives of those under the brutal dry spell. In all, 80 tonnes of hay and over $6,000 was raised over the course of the event, bringing hope to farmers, families and communities while also drawing attention to the crisis.

Mayor Reid said the primary school’s work was inspirational.

“It brings so much pride to our community to have so many young people who are thoughtful and proactive,” Mayor Reid said.   

“There’s also a great deal of pride in the fact two events from one town now claim state recognition. What an amazing feat!

“The award and the students themselves give merit to the idea that small can be mighty and, as an Owen resident and Wakefield Mayor I am doubly proud of the school’s efforts.”

The award will be presented by the Governor of South Australia, his Excellency Hieu Van Le AO, in a ceremony on Monday 21 January.

Wakefield’s 2019 Citizen of the Year Derryn Stringer will also receive an honourable mention from the Governor for his dedication to the Blyth-Snowtown Football and surrounding community.

When talks about a kitchen upgrade began, Derryn decided to go one step further, raising $600,000 for SANFL standard clubrooms and new bathroom facilities for patrons. Hundreds of hours of preparation and work went into what is being called the biggest community led project Snowtown has seen in decades

Mayor Reid thanked those who nominated the winners and congratulated Derryn and the students and staff of Owen Primary School.

Let’s go for three in a row - if you know an individual who helps make the Wakefield region great, or a community group which has made a big difference to local lives, please consider them for the Citizen of the Year Awards in 2020. We’ll send out more information closer to nomination time. For more information about the awards go to citizenoftheyear.com.au/