In the lead up to the Rabbitohs Charity Shield Match, the Souths Cares team travelled to the Dubbo and Wellington communities to deliver the Rabbitohs Wellbeing Program and promote employment and training opportunities available in regional NSW.
Day one of the regional tour kicked off with the team visiting Dubbo College Delroy Campus, Dubbo College South Campus and Macquarie Anglican Grammar School, engaging over 800 students in health promotion workshops and providing information about exciting career pathways available through the company UGL.
UGL are delivering the large-scale Regional Rail Project, which will see a host of employment and training opportunities created in regional NSW over the next 15 years. Uncle Joe Craigie, Aboriginal and Social Engagement Manager at UGL explained teaming up with Souths Cares was a great opportunity to engage with the local community.
“It was a pleasure working alongside Souths Cares in Dubbo and Wellington as we shared the Career Pathways and job opportunities our UGL companies can provide.
We were warmly welcomed into schools and community and I highly recommend that all young people attend their events when they visit your town”, Uncle Joe said.
In the afternoon the team hosted a free Junior League Clinic at Apex Oval in Dubbo in partnership with NRL Game Development staff, teaching children and youth the fundamental skills of rugby league whilst promoting respect, teamwork and inclusion.
Day two of the regional tour saw the Souths Cares team visit 400 students from Orana Heights Public School, Mian School and Dubbo College Senior Campus.
Souths Cares were joined by Rabbitohs development players Aaron Macey and Haizyn Mellars throughout the regional tour with the young men sharing their experiences and learnings along their journey towards playing in the NRL. Aaron and Haizyn both explained the opportunity to work with Souths Cares and give back to the community was a humbling experience.
“To see the happiness and joy the kids had throughout the week just brought a big smile to my face and it was a great experience. This was my first time in rural and remote communities and it gave me gratitude towards my life and the opportunities I have had access to”, Aaron said.
“I did not realize how wearing that bunny on your shirt meant so much to the kids, just seeing how much it meant to them made my trip”, Haizyn said.
On day three of the tour, the team travelled South to Wellington where they were warmly welcomed by Wellington High School, Wellington Public School and St. Mary’s Catholic School, with over 550 students participating in workshops. The students showed great engagement with the content as they learnt from Souths Cares Ambassadors Rhys Wesser and Yileen Gordan important strategies for improving mental health, creating healthy relationships and achieving their goals and aspirations.
With over 1,700 students engaged during the week, the regional tour to Dubbo and Wellington was a great success and the Souths Cares team looks forward to the opportunity to visit again.
