STORMBIRDS 2020

Josephite Student leaders unite to support young people suffering the effects of bushfires and drought

When young student leaders gathered from around Australia and New Zealand to share together what it means to be a leader in a Josephite school, they were overwhelmed by the impact of the bushfires and drought that had devastated the country.  Together, they decided they wanted to help heal land, creatures and people. Our school captains Bianca Cacciola and Jayden Allen attended this gathering and wanted to bring this initiative to our school to support such a great cause

Student leaders from 27 schools have united to kickstart Stormbirds 2020, an initiative born out of the leadership experience they had at St Joseph’s Spirituality Centre at Kincumber. In an active response to the devastation caused by the bushfires across Australia, they have made a pledge, as Josephite leaders, to support Good Grief’s Stormbirds program.

The Stormbirds program was developed by the Josephite Good Grief National Office in 2009, following the Black Saturday bushfires.  It aims to help primary and secondary students understand and respond to the loss and devastation they have experienced, and develop skills for adapting and recovering from the disaster.  Since January, there have been overwhelming requests from across Australia for teachers and other professionals to be trained to offer the Stormbirds program to their students.  Josephite student leaders have united to support the program in two really practical ways.

Natural disasters can impact in ways and at times we least expect, sometimes leaving individuals and families feeling vulnerable.  Student leaders hope to assist in making the burdens easier to bear.

“JJAMM was an incredible opportunity for us to acquire new skills and knowledge,” agreed the MSJ leaders.   Through Stormbirds 2020, we hope to use our voices and do something practical, following the example of Mary Mackillop and Julian Woods.  It is one clear way we can play our role in making a difference to the wider community at this time, living out in our lives, the Josephite charism and our commitment to justice and a fair deal for all.”

More information about Stormbirds can be found here:

www.goodgrief.org.au/stormbirds