400 Children Celebrated Back to School at the Pool

Back to School at the Pool Party was a tremendous success with 400 children using the MAAC’s facilities free-of-charge to celebrate the end of school holidays. The popular event saw 400 children through the gate by 6pm last Friday afternoon, together with many parents and guardians joining the party at a subsidised rate.

The event was sponsored by Moree Plains Shire Council who funded the entry fee of 400 children to the MAAC last Friday 31 January. The Back to School at the Pool started at 4pm and included complementary entry to the pool and use of the water slide, a BBQ, ice blocks, drinks, lolly bags, lucky door prizes and DJ entertainment.

Council’s Director of Planning and Community Development, Angus Witherby, highlighted how important initiatives like these are for the children in the community.

“For some children, summer holidays can be a long and unexciting time; with holiday activities and vacations away not affordable for many families, especially in times of drought. To help these families, we were more than happy to support this free family fun day,” Mr Witherby commented.

“Through encouraging fun and use of the MAAC by locals, the day provided quality, structured activities, giving everyone the opportunity to play and engage with others outside of a school setting. After the long school holiday break when the routine of school attendance has been on holidays too, this sort of event helps our local school aged children play well together in a safe, fun, setting just in time for the return to school this week.

The event was a great example of multi-agency collaboration with Just Reinvest NSW, Moree Family Support, Miyay Birray, SHAE Academy and the Benevolent Society working together alongside the MAAC and Council to develop a fun, inclusive afternoon for all the community.

The event’s main aim was to engage disadvantaged youth, encourage physical activity, promote going back to school and provide access to the pool to locals.

To ensure children could safely attend the event, Miyay Birray and the SHAE Academy provided free bus services to assist in transporting children to and from the pool. Additional life guards were on duty and extra MAAC staff and volunteers were there to supervise on the day.

The event was a major success for the kids and the community as well as showing what can be done when everyone works together.  A very big thank you to the volunteers, the families and children who attended a really great day!