By Danielle Kutchel
Students from around the Bunyip region learned to say ‘no’ to bullying last week, thanks to the Rotary Club of Bunyip Garfield.
The club conducted a “Say NO to BULLYING” Day with over 150 Year 5 students, Victoria Police officers, teachers and Rotarians participating in workshops on cyberbullying, bystander actions and other bullying-related topics. The workshops were presented by Project Rockit, which is currently working with Facebook and others to develop “digital ambassadors” to help students.
Students attended from Nar Nar Goon, Garfield, Bunyip, Longwarry and Labertouche Primary Schools and St James and Columba Catholic Primary Schools.
Thanks to support from the Bunyip & District Community Bank, Victoria Police, Pakenham Racing Club and the Garfield & Bunyip Op Shops, there was no cost to students.
Lunch, ably cooked by Rotarians, was provided to all attendees who also received a show bag of goodies to take home.
The club was also able to provide students with a very active Zumba session followed by relaxing and mindful Yoga.
The club said it decided to hold the day to help counter the negative impacts of bullying for both the bullies and the victims, with around one in four students reporting being bullied from primary to high school.
