General News
24 June, 2026
St Pats students support charity trek
St Patrick’s Primary School proudly provided catering for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Outback Car Trek during its visit to St Arnaud earlier this month, raising valuable funds while showcasing the generosity and community spirit of the school community.
ST ARNAUD students have done their part to support a valuable medical service in remote communities.
St Patrick’s Primary School proudly provided catering for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Outback Car Trek during its visit to St Arnaud earlier this month, raising valuable funds while showcasing the generosity and community spirit of the school community.
Planning for the event began late in 2025, with coordinators Johanna Medlyn and Ashlea Wright leading a dedicated team of volunteers.
Families from the Grade 5/6 Energy Breakthrough group were invited to contribute towards catering for approximately 170 rally drivers, with the response from the school community exceeding all expectations.
Thanks to the generosity of families, every meal and ingredient was donated, creating an outstanding fundraising opportunity for the school.
Guests enjoyed a hearty winter menu featuring lasagnes, slow-cooked dishes, pasta bakes, potato bakes and fresh salads, followed by a selection of delicious desserts.
Staff said one highlight was a cheesecake featuring lemon curd prepared by students as part of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program.
While the catering team was hard at work, St Patrick’s students enjoyed a unique learning opportunity through the RFDS Education Fuselage.
The interactive exhibit allowed students to step inside a replica aircraft fuselage and learn about the vital role the Royal Flying Doctor Service plays in providing healthcare and emergency services to people living in rural and remote Australia.
The event was supported by a large team of volunteers, including parents, staff and students, who assisted with food preparation, serving meals, clearing dishes and running the fundraising raffle.
The raffle proved to be a major success, raising an impressive amount for our Energy Breakthrough Teams. The school extends its sincere thanks to the many local businesses and community members who donated prizes and supported the fundraiser.
St Patrick’s school community expressed their gratitude to everyone involved, acknowledging that the event was a wonderful example of people coming together to support both the school and the important work of the RFDS. The day highlighted the generosity, teamwork and strong community connections that continue to make St Patrick’s such a special place.
The Outback Car Trek is an annual fundraiser for the RFDS, with an aim of providing genuine social and economic benefit to the communities it travels through. This year’s Trek saw 175 participants across 80 cars leave Albury travel through the Mallee region, before crossing over to Tasmania.
Read More: St Arnaud