GR8 effort: Chevallum unites to surpass school’s fundraising goal

This year the Chevallum State School P&C Association made the decision to alternate their yearly major fundraiser between the renowned StrawbFest and a selected alternative event in the off year. 

In 2024, the major fundraiser was Motive8Sports ‘the GR8Race’. As always, the Chevallum school and business community rallied to make the event a huge success.

“Our goal was to raise $30,000 and in the end, we exceeded that target to raise $43,000, which has just blown us away,” said P&C President, Kellie Jarrett. 

“We wanted to have sufficient funds to replace our aging junior school playground equipment.” 

The GR8 Race was a fundraising format chosen because it uses sport and outdoor activity as tools to motivate children, combined with a simple way for students to help raise much needed funds for their school. 

Teamwork, sportsmanship, respect and leadership are all key outcomes of the event, helping increase self-esteem and anti-bullying messaging. 

“This makes the GR8 Race an all-ability, all- inclusive fun day,” Ms Jarrett said. 

Event organizers thanked the generosity of their sponsors who made the day such a huge success. The Platinum Sponsors were Whites IGA and Superior Garages, Gold Sponsors were Megan Manly of Property Lane Realty and Coast property buyers, and Silver Sponsors were Rob Skelton MP, Evans Above Tiling and Ingeniir. 

“We also received donations from Palmwoods Psychology; Ninja Jungle Forest Glen; The Ginger Factory Yandina; Woolworths Nambour; Woolworths Chancellor Park; KFC Nambour and Laserzone Maroochydore,” said Ms Jarrett.

“And of course, we definitely must mention the Palmwoods Rural Fire Brigade who braved the noise of the day to successfully ‘hose down’ the kids after they slipped and slid through the slime and helped hose off the slime from the oval after the event.”

 Deputy Principal April Persini added “the feedback from the GR8 Race has been overwhelmingly positive, and it was clear the kids and adults had an amazing time.

“In true Chevallum style, our community came together, raising money, gaining sponsorship, dressing up, and supporting the event in countless ways. The sense of togetherness was truly inspiring, with everyone playing their part in making this event a success. This is one of those special Chevallum moments that will be talked about well into the future.”