Mitchell State School Volunteer Award Presentation in Roma

Education Queensland invited Doug and me to attend a Volunteers Award Presentation Ceremony at the White Bull Tavern at 4 p.m. -- in Roma on Thursday.

Ten volunteers was selected from schools in the Roma, Wandoan, Surat and Mitchell areas. Each volunteer received a certificate of appreciation, a box of chocolates and a handshake 'for outstanding volunteer service to their school community'. We were privileged to be the chosen volunteers from Mitchell.

During the afternoon tea that followed the presentation we enjoyed talking to various people; especially to organiser Kate Cover, our acting Mitchell School Principal Elaine, and fellow volunteer Tanya Thompson, from Surat.

As Roma is our largest service centre (one hour's drive east of Mitchell) we took the opportunity to do some shopping and banking. Driving home into the glare of the setting sun was difficult but at least the kangaroos were not grazing the roadside grasses -- it was a bit too early for them to be out and about.

There's a lot of cropping around Roma with much of it being harvested at present. Vast acres of golden grain, heavily laden road trains, silos and 'mountains' of wheat suggest a profitable year for all concerned.

A Back-To Weekend in Mitchell, Outback Qld

It's a busy weekend here in Mitchell with a book launch, dinners, markets, auctions and many other reunion-type functions organised. Add to that fierce storms with thunder, lightning and heavy rain and you have the feeling that it's all happening here in the outback.

Mitchell State School first opened in 1876. This weekend, Mitchell State High School celebrates its 50th anniversary with lots of people returning to the home town of their youth to catch up with friends and family. Shops entered into the spirit of the occasion by decorating with balloons and photos of the school and its pupils.

A monster charity auction -- in aid of the Maranoa Retirement Village -- sold an amazing variety of donated items to spirited bidding. I was the successful bidder for two of Elizabeth Gearey's paintings: a horse (her passion) and an outback scene with a bottle tree.

Both works of art will add to the collection we've purchased since moving here five years ago. Our walls are rich with colour, interest and passion.

A new library for Mitchell State School

With the recent demolition of an old building and construction of a new library about to begin, things are happening at Mitchell State School.

Part of the old bell-tower has been restored and now sits proudly at the front of the school. The building site for the new library lies behind the bell-tower. The plan is to make the library the true heart of the school -- an attractive space with a tempting selection of new books aimed at creating a love of books and reading, while at the same time generating the flow of new ideas and expanding horizons.

These children of the outback are resilient, eager to learn and have many unique talents. They deserve every chance in the world.

Paint the Town Read: Mitchell in outback Queensland

Every year, Mitchell State School (and other schools in the region) celebrates books and reading with an event called Paint the Town Read. The community of Mitchell joins in the festivity with local businesses along Cambridge Street decorating their shop fronts. Students, staff and members of the community are encouraged to dress in red, and hundreds of red balloons signal the message that reading and books are for enjoyment and learning.

To begin the day, some of the senior grades performed plays and a colourfully dressed Reading Bug greeted the children. From the school, the children walked down the main street, where stories were read to each grade by a community member. In Samios Trading, children gathered around to hear the story 'The Cocky Who Cried Dingo'. Doug read the story to children from St Pat's, and I read the same story to a grade from Mitchell State School.

In other shops, other shop owners and members of the community read other stories to other grades.

At the Mitchell Library, the children gathered together to watch and listen to a performance created by volunteers Barb and Doug, and librarian Glenda. The story 'Little Red Riding Hood' was performed, after which bags and books were distributed, along with a sausage sizzle and a large Reading Bug birthday cake created by our local baker.

Market stalls in the main street added to the feeling of spring festivity, and the splash of RED showed that the small outback town of Mitchell was well READ.

Blogging at Mitchell State School

A few weeks ago I began teaching at Mitchell State School -- as a volunteer. I have a group of eight students from years five to seven; boys and girls. The aim is to teach improved writing skills through the medium of blogging.

Today I set up their individual blogs, which put me out of my comfort zone -- for two reasons. Firstly, although I blog myself I find unfamiliar computers a bit confronting, especially as I use a left-hand mouse at home. Secondly, it was an exacting task to make sure each student followed the procedure and typed in their correct details.

Several of the students were a huge help in solving computer problems and helping others in the group. Consequently, we achieved our goal and all students now have their own blog, along with a brief biography -- online. Next week we will write our first blogs!

The water tower watches over the school.

ArtRageous at Maranoa Gallery in Mitchell, outback Queensland

The small outback town of Mitchell (in outback Queensland) is a vibrant arts community with its school age children eager participants. The official opening of ArtRageous -- held this afternoon at the Maranoa Gallery -- displays the artwork of students attending Mitchell State School.

The school's art teacher, Karen Wolski, has a passion for art and teaching, which she shares with the children in her care. Consequently, colour and creativity shine from paintings and drawings hung tastefully on the walls of the gallery.

An enthusiastic crowd of teachers, parents and interested people from the community attended the opening, clapping and congratulating individual students. Entertainment was provided by the school's marimba band, and afternoon tea was served.

How wonderful it is to see young people passionate about art, proudly sharing their work with the community. Well done, Mitchell State School!