The afternoon school ended for Term 3 and twenty four children with disabilities arrived at Marist College Ashgrove to join the second Marist Children’s Holiday Camp. The children, ranging in age from 6 to 15 years, had the companionship of twenty six volunteer Senior students from Marist College Ashgrove at Mt Alvernia College.

For three and a half days the Seniors saw to their child’s every need, washing, feeding, dressing, kidding and cajoling, but overall, enjoying meeting and companioning their children, gaining a unique insight into the experience and lives of these special young people.

Training for the senior volunteers was provided by staff from the two Colleges and a number of expert medical personnel. Over forty medical personnel, teachers and parents supported the students in their care of the children over the three and a half days.

The days, packed with fun activities, flew by. T-shirt painting, swimming, boat rides and games at Southbank, a concert, a day at Sea World, visits by Police and Fire vehicles, dunking the companions and a wonderful farewell lunch with the children, their families and two clowns, Peebo and Dagwood, ensured an entertaining time for all. Fr John Begg SM celebrated a beautiful Eucharist with the community. Each of the children and their companions received a silver crucifix to mark the occasion.

Generously supported by the Sony Foundation and the two College communities, the Camp is a significant component in the Service and Ministry programs of the two schools. As well as giving children with disabilities a fun time and their families some respite, the experience of being a companion was, for the volunteer students, a uniquely enriching one.