Tuesday, 1 November 2022

• Local charity, Dandelions WA, runs Back to School Campaign for 2023
• Children in need supplied with backpacks of learning essentials

Last week, Emily Hamilton, Member for Joondalup, invited Dandelions WA Co-Founders, Vicky Young and Jan Lewsey, to Parliament House to speak to Member of the WA Parliament about the charity’s work.

Dandelions WA’s current campaign is Back to School 2023, collecting items for school children who are in need of school supplies.

With the support of Minister for Education, Hon Sue Ellery MLC, schools are able to request Dandelions WA backpacks for either primary or secondary students.

The backpacks contain toiletries, a library bag, a hat, a lunch box and a drink bottle, providing recipients who may never have owned anything brand new with joy, hope, opportunity and equality from the first day at school.

Feedback received is that the backpacks are treasured and have led to increased attendance rates, engagement and the desire to learn. There has been an overall improvement in learning outcomes, specifically reading abilities.

Dandelions WA’s backpack initiative has been supported by other groups in the community. Sewing for Charity Australia WA contributed by sewing over 1400 library bags and Daimler Trucks Perth has pledged to deliver every backpack to wherever it is needed – from Broome to Esperance.

Dandelions WA was founded in Joondalup two years ago and is now powered by 103 volunteers. Its first Back to School campaign resulted in 220 backpacks being distributed. So far this year, 162 schools across WA have requested over 4300 “Dandi bags” as the backpacks have become known.

Anyone can donate items. Ms Hamilton’s office is a collection point – 2/1 Wise St, Joondalup.

See https://www.dandelionswa.org.au/schools for what to donate.

Comments attributed to Joondalup MLA Emily Hamilton:

“Dandelions WA is a wonderful organisation that supports Western Australians of all ages, all genders and no matter their reason for need.

“It was great to have Dandelions WA at Parliament House to share with my colleagues the life-changing work it does. From this information session, a number of Member of Parliament are offering their offices as collection points for donations.” 

Media contact: 9300 3990