School's Concrete Fundraiser
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday June 8, 2002
A Far South Coast public school's Parents and Citizens association will be using bricks and mortar instead of chook raffles and lamingtons for its latest fundraising venture.
The Pambula Public School's P&C is about to start building a house in Tura Beach as part of an ambitious fundraising project.
The plan was the brainchild of P&C vice-president Greg O'Donnell, who convinced fellow association members it was worth a try.
``The idea is not a new one, we've noticed a number of community groups over the years in the Pambula-Merimbula area do something similar," Mr O'Donnell said.
``The innovation, I think, is where it's a school community that's come together to raise funds for the school.
``We think this is the first time that a public school in NSW has attempted such a project."
Under the plan, the P&C has bought a block of land and expects to start work on a four bedroom house in the next six weeks.
Mr O'Donnell said a number of tradespeople - including former Pambula Public School students - had volunteered their time to build the house, which it's hoped will sell for around $300,000.
A number of businesses have also offered materials at cost price while solicitors, real estate agents, and accountants have offered their services free of charge.
``It has offered an opportunity for local business people and the school community to get involved in supporting a worthy cause in a way they would not ordinarily be able to," Mr O'Donnell said. ``The P&C is very confident that this will work, and the principal and the staff are very supportive of what we are about."
P&C President Bronwyn Love said it was getting harder and harder for P&Cs to raise the funds to help plug the shortfall in funding.
© 2002 Illawarra Mercury