Harvey’s Ag School welcomes the community for annual open day bringing in charity funds

The WA College of Agriculture in Harvey welcomed the community to its facilities last month for its annual open day, raising money for the Do It For Dolly Campaign with a special raffle at the event.

Welcoming more than 1000 people on to the school’s grounds, visitors toured the farm, trades, class and residential areas.

Alongside the open day, the community and students took part in fundraising for Do it For Dolly, with events outside the open day such as a Mother’s Day raffle and a Dress in Blue day.

The school raffled a pearl bracelet, donated by a student’s family, during the open day bringing the school’s total donations to $2640 for the year.

College principal Stephan Watt said the school was pleased to support the charity.

“Our student counsellor group picked the Do if for Dolly charity as their focus this year because Dolly’s story is so relevant to their own lives,” he said.

“We believe it is really important for our students to recognise their own good fortune and to assist those in need.”

The open day also proved to be a major success with prospective students, former students, families and community members all taking a trip to the school.

“Our students especially shine on open day — they are engaged and involved and so proud to show off what we have,” Mr Watt said.

“This year I think the highlights of the day were the things that added movement and excitement such as the machinery parade, motocross track in operation, the led cattle and horses, and the fencing exhibition.”

Mr Watt said the event always proved a draw for the community, with students coming from across the State to take part.

“Open day is also an opportunity for family of our current students to visit and see what their sons and daughters get up to with us,” he said.

“Something I really enjoy is catching up with the ex-students and staff who come to visit on open day, I love that once (they’re) a student at Harvey Ag, they continue to feel part of our community.”