VCAL Market Day is always one of the highlights of the college calendar, but with Covid restrictions making it impossible to stage the usual bumper event in the Ulumbarra Plaza, Intermediate VCAL students and staff had to get creative and think outside the square.
Students still sought donations from local businesses and used their creative skills to produce handmade goods to raise money for a range of local charities including Bendigo Foodshare, Headspace Bendigo, Centre for Non-Violence, RSPCA and the Salvation Army.
Year 11 student Olivia Logan was one of those students who went above and beyond to make Virtual market day a success, and this afternoon she received a VCAL Recognition Award for her dedication.
VCAL Assistant, Judy Stewart, explained how Olivia had really stepped up to the plate as the number of orders for tie-dyed masks grew.
“Olivia spent four lessons of her own time to make sure all the masks were completed in time to fulfil the orders,” Judy said. “She learnt the skills required as she went, and grew in confidence as a result.
“It’s a great example of the skill-building that occurs as a result of Market Day, even though this year’s couldn’t happen in the manner we would have liked.”
This year, purchasers donated their money directly to the charities online.
A big thank you to Bunning Epsom for donating products for the silent auction, and to Faye Frewin, Noela Datson and Helen Trewhalla, who all donated succulents to raise money for Headspace.