Pictured: Andrew Astill, Jennie Werakso, Louise Sartor, Chris Price, Annie Wells and Emma Tory (back row) with members of St Brigids indigenous choir Malachi Craig, Brianna Lanihan, Jed Chandler, Tahnee Chandler and Darcy Lawrence. Photo: GREG ELLIS
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Staff at St Brigid's Catholic Primary School have launched a Hearts Across the Nullarbor campaign to help Anthony Warlow's sister with her work in remote indigenous communities in Western Australia.
Teachers at the Gwynneville school decided to raise money for Sister Anna Warlow's work after she visited the school last year and spoke of the need.
Principal Jennie Werakso said it was part of St Brigid's annual social justice focus.
A committee of seven teachers has organised an event at the Fraternity Club on Valentine's Day called Hearts Across the Nullarbor.
Christine Anu has agreed to perform and Bishop Peter Ingham will be present along with Sister Anna.
Her Good Samaritan Rural Outreach program is a community initiative that provides care for isolated indigenous communities as well as rural, wheatbelt and mining families in remote mid-west and eastern regions of Western Australia.
"She does a lot of work for the diocese ... and a lot of teachers from our school have benefited from her spiritual wisdom," Mrs Werakso said.
"The last time we were with her she talked about this initiative. She comes over a couple of times a year from Western Australia. But last time she was here she talked about what she does.
"We were really concerned for her because she has to depend on her staff in her order and whatever donations she can get. So we thought we would like to help out."
Teacher Louise Sartor said children at the school helped start the fund-raising last year by staging a mathsathon.
"We raised over $4000 just from that," she said.
"We were able to send that over to Sister Anna so she could use those funds for Christmas. What we are doing now is trying to engage in the wider community and our school community through the parents by putting on a formal function at the Fraternity Club."
There was concern Anu might not be able to come because of her schedule around the South Pacific but she is flying in especially from Melbourne.
The teachers even tried to get Anthony Warlow but he is performing overseas.
The school's indigenous choir is putting on a special show and are looking forward to meeting Anu and listening to Sister Anna speak about her program.
"This is not just about fund-raising, it is about awareness at well," Mrs Sartor said.
The school's music teacher, Jenna Hogan, has written a song especially for the occasion.
The night is open to everyone and registrations and arrangements for payment can be made by emailing louise.sartor@dow.catholic.edu.au.
