The B.E.A.T.T.T.A.L. Project

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What is it?

Bringing Educational Aid To Thailand’s Tsunami Affected Locals.

Starting in 2006, a group of Years 10 to 12 students are involved in assisting the Broadbridge Education Centre on Phi Phi Island, just south of Phuket, Thailand. They are also helping a number of local Thai schools on both Phi Phi Island and Phuket.

The Fraser Coast Anglican College is supporting these schools through “The B.E.A.T.T.T.A.L. Project” – Bringing Educational Aid To Thailand’s Tsunami Affected Locals.

The general aims of “The B.E.A.T.T.T.A.L. Project” are two fold:

a. To fundraise, collect donations of cash and goods, and organise for these to be forwarded, through the Reach Broadbridge Fund, to those children attending the Broadbridge Education Centre and other schools in the area who are in need.

b. To organise regular trips to Thailand, including a visit to the Broadbridge Education Centre and other schools, for the school community to see their work in action and meet those whose lives we have helped. This aspect would also aid the wider Thai community through our buying goods for the children whilst over there and spending money as tourists. The second of these trips will depart on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 with 18 students taking part.

The Broadbridge Education Centre is named in honour of Melbourne AFL footballer Troy Broadbridge who lost his life in the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004. It aims to help young people and make a difference in the lives of those who have lost so much.
Our efforts will aim to provide this centre and the other schools in the area with the funds and equipment that they need to enable the local students to be able to complete their schooling here, rather than having to leave their homes for boarding school at a very young age.

Why Thailand?

In 2003, the students from Fraser Coast Anglican College participated in a trip to Thailand. Since this time a lot of things have changed which have adversely affected many of those who we came into contact with.

The most graphic example of this is that the hotel that we stayed in at Phuket was devastated by the Tsunami, with many of the workers we had come into contact with losing their lives. To this day, this hotel still has not been able to be completely re-built. A number of our favourite restaurants and shops were also destroyed, leaving many of those who were so nice to us with no livelihood. These types of things put a real personal perspective on the destruction that took place.

The Broadbridge Educational Centre on Phi Phi Island, near Phuket, gives a uniquely “Australian Feel” to this project. Troy Broadbridge’s wife, Trisha, has been the driving force behind this project, along with the Reach Organisation. Trisha has made several trips back to the Centre, and is committed to ensuring the long term viability of it. Such dedication has resulted in her being named the Young Australian of the Year for 2006.

THE FOCUS OF THE B.E.A.T.T.T.A.L. PROJECT IN 2008.

This year the efforts of The B.E.A.T.T.T.A.L. Project will involve helping three of the schools in Thailand, all of which are helping students who continue to be affected in some way by the Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004.

In 2008 are efforts will be three-fold:

a. We will be aiming to provide a set of musical instruments for the students at the Broadbridge Education Centre on Phi Phi Island for them to use in their studies.

b. We will be assisting in an English language program which is run in the Kamala and Kalim Schools in Phuket, which was initially established through funds raised at the “Wave Aid” concert in Sydney back in 2005.

c. We will be building a new playground area for the Asia-Center Childcare Facility in Phuket. All going to plan, we will be doing a B.E.A.T.T.T.A.L. “Backyard Blitz” during the trip in September.

All of these projects are vital for the educational development of young people, and also fit in nicely with things that we place particular emphasis on here at Fraser Coast Anglican College. They will help build the character of our students, but more importantly, will enhance greatly the lives of those in Thailand.

How can we become involved in this project?

The B.E.A.T.T.T.A.L. Project will offer a number of opportunities to become involved at a number of different levels.

All Year 10, 11 and 12 students will be offered the opportunity to undertake a tour of Thailand to undertake some “hands on” experiences at the Broadbridge Educational Centre. This opportunity may not happen every year, but it will offers excellent value for money whilst giving the students first hand knowledge of their work, a different country and their culture (as well as visiting a fantastic holiday destination!)
We are constantly seeking donations of goods, services and money from a wide variety of businesses throughout Australia on an on-going basis to both assist in fund raising efforts and to provide goods to the students in Thailand. Any assistance that can be given in this area would be greatly appreciated, and would be appropriately recognised through publicity associated with the project.
Throughout the year we will be seeking donations from families of the College and the wider community which will enable everyone to become involved in some small way if they wish. It could be donating some reading books which your child has grown out of, or specific clothing needs for the students in Thailand. Keep an eye on the newsletters and media for details of this work, and if you can assist, please do so.
The B.E.A.T.T.T.A.L. Project requires a long term commitment from Fraser Coast Anglican College, but the benefits both to the people of Thailand and our students will be immense. It promises to be nothing like any project we have undertaken at this College before, and has the potential to change the lives of many young people.

If you require any further information, or would like to express your desire to become involved in this project, please contact Mr Mark O'Connor through the College on (07) 4124 5411.