Although school holidays are in full swing, high schools in the Wagga network have swung into action to help communities devastated by the Victorian bushfires just over the border.

Kooringal High School, Wagga High School and Mount Austin High School on Wiradjuri country have been making a difference by collecting donations to send across the border.

From a pallet load of water to 50 bags and boxes of food, toiletries and essentials, community members flocked to Kooringal High School and Wagga High School to drop off their contributions.

Kooringal High School relieving principal Joshua Celi has been in touch with fire affected schools that will receive the donations.

Euroa Secondary College, Longwood Primary School, Euroa Primary School and Harcourt Valley Primary School and communities will share the donations that will help make the transition back to school after the recent bushfires easier for school communities.

Kooringal High School technology teacher Connor Smith travelled to regional Victoria to personally deliver the donations.

“It has been great to see the three public high schools in Wagga get together to make a difference,” Mr Celi said.

“We also had Parkview Public School, in the Narrandera Network, reach out and they held collection days in Leeton. It is a true testament to the culture of public education.

“It’s important for our students to understand the real effects these disasters have on other school communities and to show our support through this meaningful initiative.”

Mr Celi was also impressed to see student leaders pausing their holiday plans to spend the time assisting with organising the donations.

Community service is not a new initiative for the school, having previously donated 600 backpacks to students in need during the Dunns Road bushfires in 2020.

“This is what living regionally is all about, supporting each other through tough times,” Mr Celi said.