Growling Frog News
Making a Difference
8 May, 2009
PERHAPS THE FIRST THING ONE NOTICES ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPH ARE THE WIDE-EYED, SMILING FACES.
Maybe it's all the arms raised in jubilation. Or the enthusiasm that seems to burst forth from the image.
The picture is indeed one of joy-and that is a very good thing.
The students at Middle Kinglake Primary School in Victoria, Australia were in need of some spirit-lifting after living through what John Brumby, the Premier of Victoria, called "the worst natural disaster Australia has ever faced."
The bushfires that ravaged Australia earlier this year didn't spare their school. A closer look at the photograph reveals the charred trees and wood chips that litter the ground as part of the ongoing clean-up efforts. The school used to sit just a lob wedge away and a temporary structure has been erected in the background to house the students.
The children also lost several classmates and a teacher to the blazes.
"These kids have seen and experienced more change in their short lives than many adults ever will," said Education Minister Bronwyn Pike.
So when word made it to St. Augustine, Fla. that there was an Australian Bushfire Relief Effort being spearheaded by George Begg, the Honourable Secretary of the Australian Golf Writers Association with whom the World Golf Hall of Fame has a long-standing relationship, action soon followed.
Several items were promptly sent to Australia to make the deadline for an auction aimed at raising funds for families devastated by the fires. Among those auction items was a Limited Edition World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Poster graciously autographed by a number of Hall of Fame members at last year's Induction Ceremony. That item brought in $7,000 for the relief efforts.
"I cannot tell you how pleased everyone was with what [the World Golf Hall of Fame] did to help out 'Down Under' with this special cause and you would have been proud of the ovation that was given when I told all present what our friends in St. Augustine had done for the appeal," Begg said.
A short time later the Hall of Fame shipped several boxes of clothing and toys to be distributed to children in need. Those items found their way in May to the children of Middle Kinglake Primary School, thanks to the efforts of Begg, Wayne Rogers and Ray Plant, the pro and captain, respectively, at the Growling Frog Golf Course.
"Just about every child and teacher in this school-which lost a teacher and three students during those terrible fires-now knows that they have friends at the World Golf Hall of Fame," Begg said, "and their gratefulness shows up in their faces."
Begg is right. The wide-eyed, smiling faces are what you notice first.
Middle Kinglake Primary School Sturdents were thrilled to receive toys and hall of fame shirts in the aftermath of the Australian Bushfires. Reflief organizer George Begg (Center Foreground) is flanked by Golf Professional Wayne Rogers and Captain Ray Plant from the Growling Frog Golf Course.
Author: World Golf Hall of Fame, Florida, USA.
