St Mary’s started running a specialised music program this year to give students the opportunity to play and experiment with a variety of instruments.
Learning how to play a musical instrument is more than just a chance to pick up a new skill while having a whole heap of fun, it also allows students to build their hand-eye co-ordination and learn patience and discipline.
However, the school found its resources were limited.
Rural Aid created Gift of Music after receiving requests from regional schools in need of musical instruments. Confident there was plenty of unused instruments around Australia stuffed in cupboards or under beds, Rural Aid put out a call for donations, whether new, old or broken.
Gift of Music also accepts cash donations, which it uses to repair donated instruments, purchase the instruments on teachers’ wish lists, and distribute them across the country.
Just one week after a phone call to Gift of Music, St Mary’s received a wonderful delivery of musical instruments and resources and some other fun gifts including ukuleles, glockenspiels, boxes of Lego, an iPad and more.
“It was an incredibly humbling experience to be on the receiving end of such generous giving,” said Diana Gillett, music teacher at St Mary’s.
“An even greater privilege was meeting Rural Aid general manager, Wayne Thomson, and Gift of Music program manager, Robyn Thomson.
“Listening to Wayne and Robyn’s passion for enhancing the lives of rural kids by offering new opportunities through music was truly encouraging.
“St Mary’s is incredibly grateful to Gift of Music. The impact of its visit and generous donation of instruments is something that will make a difference to our music program for years to come.”
If you would like to find out more about Gift of Music or make a donation, head to www.giftofmusic.org.au.