September 5, 2013
Cherbourg played host to a visit from two very different special guests on Tuesday … but both have an interest in ensuring local children make the most of the educational opportunities available to them.
NRL ambassador and former State of Origin star Petero Civoniceva visited the Cherbourg State School, Cherbourg Youth Justice Centre and The Ration Shed Museum.
At the school, he spoke to pupils from Prep to Year 3 about the importance of reading as part of the “Rugby League Reads” program. He then spoke to students in Years 4-7 about standing up to bullying as part of the NRL’s “Tackle Bullying” program.
This was Petero’s second visit to Cherbourg in recent weeks; he was here last month as part of a round of visits to various South Burnett schools and football clubs.
The second special visitor at Cherbourg on Tuesday was State Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek who visited Cherbourg Council, The Ration Shed Museum and the State School.
At The Ration Shed he inspected the Timeline history display and was presented with a draft copy of a package of resources which have been prepared to suit the indigenous history component of the national education curriculum.
Mr Langbroek told the First Nations Telegraph that it was great to see the NRL harnessing the popularity of role models such as Petero Civoniceva to improve students’ lives.
“Hearing your sporting idol talk about the importance of school is a great way to motivate young people and encourages them to recognise skills such as team work, perseverance and playing by the rules are just as important off the field,” he said.
(Photos: Marcus Priaulx)
