Over the last 6–12 months, our Club has been working behind the scenes to make a long-held dream a reality – sending a container load of goods to Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea. What initially seemed like a simple idea quickly became a major logistical challenge, with the cost and complexity of securing and shipping a container proving to be a significant hurdle.

Thanks to the generosity of Simba Global and the valuable contacts of Desley Tunstall, we have been able to source a container, arrange for it to be shipped, and ensure the goods will make their way to where they are most needed in Papua New Guinea. A huge thank you also goes to Peter Malden, whose hard work and coordination have been critical in pulling this entire project together.

A team of Club members collected school furniture from Boronia Heights Primary School, Desley had a large collection of donated goods stored at her home, sporting uniforms, books that have been generously donated, along with many different useful items and DIK (Donations in Kind) who contributed additional items. Together, we were able to fill an entire shipping container with furniture, resources and supplies that will make a real difference to the communities in PNG.

It is wonderful to see this project finally come to life. Once the container arrives and the goods are distributed, our efforts will have a lasting impact on education and community support in Milne Bay.

Thank you to everyone who has assisted in any way – through donations, contacts, labour, logistics or support. This is Rotary in action, and a project our Club can be very proud of. 🌍💙

The program, which has been running since July 2025, culminated in a fantastic final day of recording. Starting with 15 students, we proudly finished with 10 original songs – an incredible achievement for these young songwriters.

This year, we broadened the musical horizons by including extra genres such as rock and ballads, resulting in a powerful mix of upbeat tracks and deeply emotional songs. Many of the lyrics reflected the personal experiences and feelings of the participants, making the final recordings both moving and meaningful.

One of the most rewarding parts of the program has been watching the participants’ journeys. Many began feeling unsure and a little nervous, but over the weeks they grew in skill, self-belief and confidence. By the time they stepped into the studio, they were ready to own their songs – and they did!

This program was able to run again with thanks to the generous financial support from Bendigo Bank Boronia and Barry Plant Boronia.

Knox Rocks has once again shown the power of music to build confidence, connection and creativity in our local youth. 🎤✨

Mark Smith

Program Co-Ordinator