Sir Peter Cosgrove the Governor General (GG) of Australia on his farewell visit to Western Australia wanted to visit one of Sports Challenge Australia’s (SCA) lighthouse physical and mental health programs.
With a strong bond developed with founder and CEO of (SCA) Dr Garry Tester, with the past Governor Generals of Australia: Michael Jeffery and Dame Quentin Bryce, Sir Peter has continued the tradition and the same belief by his predecessors, that fit and healthy children are the future of a better Australian Society.
To this end he was excited by visiting one of the programs at Clayton View Primary School in Koongamia WA, where over the past 3 years (SCA) has partnered the school under the leadership of Principal Sharon Marchenko in building both physical health (fitness, physical activity & skills) along with mental health (self-esteem/self-concept). This effort has taken the school from the lowest 25 percentile to the 65 percentile of schools from throughout Australia that (SCA) has worked with over 27 successful years.
To acknowledge this wonderful achievement, Sir Peter spent the morning at the school participating in a tabloid activities morning of fitness, fundamental movement and sporting skills with all the Year 5 and 6 students.
Wow! The Governor General of Australia had some fun, wowing the students with his excellent eye hand coordination’s in scoring a perfect score in the Rings of Olympiad (Frisbee throwing activity) and shooting some baskets as well.
After the great morning, the GG presented certificates of success to these students and spoke about the importance of fitness & sport in building better resilience and confidence at school, at home and in the community. He acknowledged the outstanding work Dr Tester and the (SCA) team have achieved at Clayton View and around Australia.
As Sir Peter made his final speech in WA before the end of his tenure as GG to the staff at Clayton View and (SCA), it was a humbling moment for all and one to be remembered forever. He spoke with such uplifting passion about his time as GG and how privileged he was to see such great work like this program instilling aspirations and genuine hope for our next generations.
Thank you Governor General for touching our lives and those of the most needy.
