Cobras import Quincy Henderson with one of the Chum Creek students.By Kath Gannaway
The Kilsyth Swinburne Cobras visited Chum Creek Primary School last month to lift the spirits of students and teachers affected by the Black Saturday bushfires.
Cobra imports Joe Werner, Quincy Henderson and Amy Denson took the school’s 30 students through a series of basketball games and presented each child with a basketball.
Many of the school’s students and teachers were directly affected by the fires. The school itself was lucky: its entire boundary burnt but the school itself suffered only minor damage with a shed, wheelchair access ramp and school sign destroyed.
Throughout the two-hour visit players not only ran the children through fun drills and games but talked to them about their experiences, playing some games of two-on-two and taking their turn on the jumpy castle.
Cobras import Quincy Henderson said he enjoyed his time with Chum Creek and was happy he could help bring a smile to the students’ faces.
“Some students have lost their homes yet they continue to come to school with a smile. I am glad we were able to visit and cheer up their day,” he said.
Kilsyth Basketball Association spokesman Ben Turned said the association had made a contribution to the bushfire fund and all junior domestic players wore armbands and made donations over the past few weeks to raise additional funds to support the community.
“The association will continue to do all it can over the coming months to support the communities affected by the devastating fires,” he said.
“The Kilsyth Swinburne Lady Cobras will visit a bushfire-affected community over the coming weeks to show their support and the players will visit other schools in the area to continue to show their support.”
Joe Werner invited the students and community of Chum Creek to visit one of the Cobras’ SEABL games in 2009 and Mr Turner said the school would take part in their Schools Night-out Program, sponsored by Ultimate Sports Enterprises, with all students and their families entitled to free entry for their allocated night and the school’s staff being entertained in a corporate box.
“We look forward to having the Chum Creek community attend one of our games during she season and hope this small gesture provides some joy as they rebuild their community,” Werner said.
The Cobras season kicks off on Saturday 21 March. For details visit www.cobras.net.au
