Bourke students help one of their own

Thanks to Bourke Public School Canteen Manager Tash Sutton and Bourke Public School President Lisa Rankmore $200 was donated to Mervyn Powell. Pictured at the cheque presentation on Friday – Sam Simmons, Bourke High School President Murray Cronin, Lisa Rankmore, Kruz Ryan, Mervyn Powell, Leisa Skein, and Patrick Edwards. Photo contributed

Bourke showed its big heart on Friday when the Bourke Public School and the High School held fundraising efforts to support former student, Mervyn Powell.

Mervyn, 21, suffered a severe spinal injury during a football game at Goodooga on July 30 and is making a slow recovery.

His family has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for some of his medical costs, but now the students of Bourke, along with teachers and the community, have stepped up to do their bit to help one of Bourke’s most popular footy players.

Leisa Skein is the Head Teacher of the Bourke High School Support Unit where Mervyn was a student several years ago and said the school had rallied to start the fundraising effort.

“On Friday, the students held a free barbecue and a gala footy day, with all the kids turning up in their footy jumpers for the day,” Ms Skein said.

“Mervyn attended and it says a lot about his character that he was able to show his gratitude under difficult circumstances.

“He said he was humbled by the event.

“Betty Doolan, Mervyn’s teacher when he attended Bourke High School, came up with the idea to do a fundraiser for her former student and she was present at the gala day, which was great.

“He’s making slow recovery, and no-one knows how long it will take or what the future holds, but it was lovely to see the kids get behind him.

“The Bourke High School students raised $177 and the Public School donated $200 and we were very proud of their efforts,” Ms Skein said.

Mervyn is not only a gifted athlete, but an artist as well, and during his high school years, produced outstanding works which won recognition in the community.

In his final year at Bourke High, Mervyn painted 20 original works for his collection, ‘Life Skills Visual Arts Body of Work’.

Mervyn said it was art and sport that kept him at school.

“I enjoyed art and sport the most at school. I feel relaxed and at peace when I’m painting and I like to listen to country music, it helps me focus and concentrate,” he said at the time.

Mervyn faces challenges on the path to recovery, and if you would like to help Mervyn and his family, there is a GoFundMe page on – just go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-mervyn-his-parents to donate.