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Music to Rochy Primary’s ears

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Rochester Primary School received a $5000 donation from Saputo to buy new musical instruments after the floods. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Rochester Primary School has received thousands of dollars from Saputo Dairy Australia for musical instruments.

The $5000 donation has funded a range of instruments, including guitars, drums, xylophones, untuned percussion, and a class set of ukuleles.

Saputo field service manager Tim Fulton, AG Warehouse senior agronomist Ian Pearse, Rochester Primary School principal Kate Whitford and Saputo field service advisor Joanne Duffy. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Saputo, which also owns AG Warehouse, donates to a range of causes, including their long-term partnership with Foodbank Australia.

Tim Fulton from Saputo was happy to support the school in buying new instruments after teacher Maria Collins reached out.

“We donate things to football clubs and everything else,” he said.

“Schools that have been flooded, why wouldn’t we give them a hand?”

“Maria said, ‘it’s really important, and it helps with other parts of learning’.

“We just thought, ‘why not? Let’s kick in a bit. If you’re part of the community, you help out.”

Ellah Widjaja and Maya Mangan had a play on the new xylophones. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Music classes will utilise the new equipment, with students already rehearing We Will Rock You on their various instruments.

The new djembes and drums will also help support DRUMBEAT, a welfare program teaching students about healthy relationships and teamwork through music.