It is with great pleasure I formally announce the winner of the 2019 Great Start Grant is Ravenshoe State School.
Ravenshoe is a small township 2 hours south west of Cairns.
This school has all the potential in the world. They are a tight-knit community who have suffered significant struggles in the past few years. The town of about 1500 people has suffered through the hardship of a café explosion in the town killing 2 people as well as 2 student suicides last year. Being in the lowest socio-economic bands in the country, the school makes all resources stretch as far as possible, and the community cover a lot of gaps that parents can’t including a strong student welfare safety net. They have a “go getter” principal and a knowledgeable, dedicated band leader who will (in their words) reinvigorate their heartbroken town by making the school the heart on soul of the community through the schools band program and dairy farm (yes – the school has a fully functioning dairy farm).
Just because Ravenshoe has been awarded our 2019 Great Start Grant, doesn’t mean we didn’t have other deserving applicants. We received 137 applications for this year’s grant all of which need help. We are now in a unique position to put them in touch with dealers, education experts and professional development providers to help them build a culture of music in schools. This year’s grant proved to me there is a strong thirst and passion for music education, people just need help directing that energy.
Ravenshoe State School are the lucky recipients of 34 band instruments, 3 days of training with our very own Dr. Rob McWilliams and a launch concert with the very special Tim Minchin in the school for the community (12th of June).
Everything they need to get started!
Thanks
Mat Regards,
Mat Taylor | Assistant Marketing Manager – B&O | Music Products Division
YAMAHA MUSIC AUSTRALIA
Level 1, 80 Market Street South Melbourne VIC 3205
P: +61 3 9693 5109
M: +61 417 361 758
E: mathew.taylor@music.yamaha.com
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8am – 4.30pm