"These students didn't want to waster their money on partying, they wanted to do something more productive like humanitarian work," she said.

St Brigid's College Horsham students are offering an ironing service as a fundraiser for a trip to Cambodia later this year.

St Brigid's College Student Representative Council co-ordinator Jessica Giampaolo said the group of students, with the support of parents, were charging $20 a basket with collection the next day from the school office.  Ms Giampaolo said 10 students had planned the trip as an alternative to attending the traditional schoolies week to celebrate the end of their formal school years.

Ms Giampaolo said students planned to spend four days building houses in Cambodia in some of the poorest areas in the country.

She said students had also been selling slices and chocolates and holding casual dress days at the school to raise money and would soon launch a raffle with prizes donated by businesses.  Ms Giampaolo said with the support of Horsham East and Dimboola Rotary clubs, they hoped to send up to 36 members from the Wimmera.

Horsham East Rotary Club director Neil May said it was great that St Brigid’s College students were so enthusiastic about volunteering their time to help the less fortunate.

“It just shows there really are a lot of good kids out there; it is just that you often only hear about the bad ones,” he said.

Mr May said the group aimed to build 20 houses in Bat Damang and another 20 houses in Kampong Thum in conjunction with the Tabitha organisation.  He said typical Cambodian houses were bamboo, but volunteers would build hardwood houses.

“It makes a huge difference to them because some have been living in huts with no roof and holes in the walls,” he said.  “These families have to save for up to five years to qualify to be part of the Tabitha building program, so they really appreciate our help.  There is even a bridge in Kampong Thum, donated by the Australian Government, that has pictures of kangaroos on the frames.  The locals call it the Skippy Bridge,” he said.

Mr May said it would be his third visit as a volunteer worker to Cambodia.

“It really is just a great experience, you often don’t realise that it’s a completely different world over there,” he said.

Mr May said each group member would pay for their own airfare and accommodation.  He said the aim for each member was to raise $1500, enough to build a house each.

Schoolies Out To Lend a Hand - Wimerra Mail Times by Leigh Rogers