As part of their efforts to support National Reconciliation Week and to further their sister-school relationship with Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Wadeye, a group of Year 12 students at Mater Christi College in Belgrave, is raising funds and gathering equipment to assist the creative and entrepreneurial endeavours of the Wadeye Women’s Centre.

Two years ago Mater Christi College, a Good Samaritan school for girls in the Melbourne suburb of Belgrave and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School in Wadeye, a remote Aboriginal community 420 kilometres south-west of Darwin, established a ‘sister-school’ relationship.

Since that time, groups of students from both schools have visited one another and intend to continue these alternate visits.

According to Justine McMahon, Catholic Action Teacher at Mater Christi College, after some of her students went to Wadeye last year they decided to hold a fundraiser to assist the people in the community.

“They were keen to demonstrate their continued commitment to supporting this community,” said Justine.

“After communication with the Women’s Centre it was decided that we would try to find good quality used overlockers to donate or raise funds to go towards the purchase of these.”

The women have requested overlockers in order to expand their fabrics business. At the moment they sell screen-printed fabrics, t-shirts and prayer flags, and only have an old and unreliable overlocker.

“More equipment would mean that they could expand their range to include cushions, bags and satchels made from their printed fabrics. They are having some textiles training this month,” explained Justine.

Justine said it would be great if other people could assist the students in achieving their goal. “We have a couple of sewing machines, but would appreciate donations of overlockers or money to buy them,” she said.