FULFILLING LIFEs CONTINUING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE by Andrew Payne On May 9, James Loughnan, a young Ni-van man from Lenakel, the main town on Tanna Island, Vanuatu, arrived in Geelong for a three-week training placement with Heights Sewing Centre in Pakington Street. James learned how to service the types of sewing machines that The Geelong College groups visiting Lenakel Presbyterian College have been taking with them (as part of the Year 10 Fulfilling Lives program). The need for electric sewing machines became apparent during our first visits, and with the generous assistance of Heights Sewing Centre we have been able to take seven fully serviced machines over, with more to go. The machines chosen are older types with simple and robust
James Loughnan with Principal Dr Pauline Turner and Teacher Andrew Payne
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mechanicals. James learned to service these, and we hope his skills will be the basis of a small business for him, just as the machines themselves give the ladies of the Lenakel PWMU the chance to earn some cash from garment making, as well as supplying their community with clothes. The costs of airfares, visas and health insurance were partly covered by the generous support of Year 10 Commerce classes, who voted to put their Small Business Project tax to this cause. The boarders also donated their 2010 Trivia Night proceeds, and a number of parents of students who have gone to Tanna made donations. James was made to feel part of The Geelong College community and was billetted with College families during his stay.
Year 10 Students Students Monty Cole (left) and Isaac Crawley met James Loughnan on Tanna and showed him around the school
James and Ken Wilks (OGC 1951) owner of Heights Sewing Centre have a laugh while training