Primary kids enjoy all things health

By Emily Donohoe

Sep 23, 2024

Rochester Primary School’s Lucas Mangan and Charlie Holland were happy to get involved in the fun. Photos: Aidan Briggs Photo by Aidan Briggs

Rochester Primary School hosted health and wellbeing representatives from across the community for a health expo on Wednesday, September 18.

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Sports clubs, services and activity providers joined in on the day, which also welcomed year 5 and 6 students from Lockington Consolidated School for the afternoon session.

Lockington Consolidated School and Rochester Primary School students enjoyed some friendly competition in the basketball. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Among the groups were Rochester Basketball Association, Rochester Community House, Rochester SES, Rochester Football Netball Club, Ambulance Victoria, Mind Australia, Rochester Little Athletics and headspace Echuca.

“We did it last year because of the kids with the floods ... to get the community back together, to let kids know what they can do in Rochester, all the sports and activities they can be involved in and the agencies there to help them and support them,” ” Rochester Primary School teacher and event organiser Sarah Mangan said.

Rochester Football Club’s Darby Martin, Cale James and Casey James popped in to visit. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Students tried out pickleball. Photo by Aidan Briggs

The morning saw sessions hosted by Echuca Regional Health, REDHS, headspace Echuca, Campaspe Shire Council, counsellor Bern Wright and the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation.

This included discussions about wellbeing, healthy eating and being active on the school commute, as well as kids’ fitness and a story walk for students to rotate through.

Harrison Wilkins got his hair sprayed. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Jayden Howe from headspace Echuca played rock, paper, scissors with Rochy students. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Joined by Lockington students, the afternoon involved visitors from sports groups for the children to try, along with local and emergency services and healthy snack making.

The school will look to host similar events in future, growing the connection between the organisations, community and other schools in the region.

“All of the (groups) were really willing to give up time and help, which is amazing” Mrs Mangan said.

“It’d be good to make it bigger, get more families involved ... try and get it out there a bit more.”