Do They Hear?

20/08/2008 1:21:49 PM

Daniel’s story is real - and I try to convey his life and what happened to him with as much raw recount as I can possibly muster.

In February 2007 I had the privilege of speaking with a few hundred young people through a course of 3 sessions spanning 3 days for “School And Beyond”.

On the final day I travelled to Murray Bridge TAFE to speak with the 70 odd teenagers who were schooling through VET (Vocational Education and Training).

After this presentation, like most of the others, they left the room quietly, many of them looking my way on the way out.  It seemed a kind of acknowledgement - perhaps their way of saying ‘thank you’.  I understand - and really at times like this, there’s no need for words.  Occasionally there will be one or two in the crowd that will brave it and come and say hello.  I get how hard that must be - teen’s are notoriously shy creatures.

Anyway ...

Some weeks later I received a call from Sam Pearce (School & Beyond) to say that a group of boys from the Murray East Area School had been at the presentation with their teacher.  On the way home they talked about Danny...and apparently it was during the long trip back they made some plans.

These lads had been doing up a work trailer so they could transport their tools etc to the training sites.  They decided to dedicate this trailer to Danny’s memory.

Sam’s comments were along the lines of “You wondered whether Daniel’s story would have an impact?” and yes, we can safely assume that it does.

I asked when they were finished the trailer, if I could go and have a look at it - maybe take a picture?  A few phone calls later it was all planned and Sam and I would head up for the grand unveiling.

I thought this was a lovely gesture - we hear so much negative stuff on the News about teenagers... It would be nice to see some of the positive things they do as well right?

So I contacted a few people I had met in the media and Channel 7 News kindly offered to run their helicopter to the school to cover the story. (Thanks guys).

Murray East Area School is a small school by city standards - out in the middle of no where - but by heck its tidy and alive with a buzz ...and full of polite kids ranging from Reception right through to Year 12.  The kids were all lined up around the oval waiting for the Channel 7 helicopter.  It was awesome watching the faces of the little ones (and a few of the older kids too for that matter) ... They giggled with delight watching a chopper land on their pristine oval.

After all the filming was done. we were treated to the most amazing home made treats - including home made lemonade!  The school showered me with gorgeous flowers and some wonderful gifts the students had made.  Truly ...the most amazing Olive Oil ever.  There was a cook book there with country recipes - I love it all and that tea towel with all those names hangs with pride in my kitchen.

I know it’s taken me a long time to get this page up onto the VOID website but I wanted to say to these young lads and all those involved in making the day so special - thank you.  It is a day I will never forget.