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"In 2004, Mentone Park Primary School had a canteen that
was run by a private company, 2 days a week, selling food
such as sausage rolls, chips and lollies.
"Students would often come back into class after recess
and lunch with red and blue lips after eating the varied assortment
of sugary treats. Teachers often complained about the students'
dietary habits and the amount of trash the canteen was supplying.
While the private company ran the canteen, the school's hands
were tied.
"But things were to change dramatically towards the
end of 2004. In the middle of the year, the private company
pulled out and the canteen was to remain idle. However, the
opportunity was there to use the facility the school had in
a far more beneficial and educational way for the students.
"Enter Sue Barron, an energetic, enthusiastic and determined
parent of the school, who met with the Assistant Principal,
Perry Kick, and proposed the running of a healthy canteen
by the parent community of Mentone Park.
"Much planning and discussion was done to ensure that
the operation of a parent run canteen was going to be a success.
Sue proposed that the canteen required a very special parent
with charisma and creativity to manage the canteen and complete
the team. Donna Rodwell was just that person to ensure the
operation of the school canteen was a success.
"It was important that the canteen become part of the
school community and play an important role in educating the
students as well as providing them with home made food free
from preservatives and additives. A great deal of work was
done with the students and parents leading up to the commencement
of the canteen so that it became an integral part of the school.
"A competition asking the students to suggest a name
for the canteen resulted in the canteen being called the 'Kids'
Café' and the canteen area was revitalised to resemble
a café.
"Sue and Donna advertised for parent helpers, the students
were educated in the benefits of eating healthy and participated
in taste testing the variety of healthy food and drinks on
the menu.
"On Friday 12th November [2004] the Kids' Café commenced
business. Sue's managerial abilities, enthusiasm and ideas
coupled with Donna's creativeness and warmth to attract supporters
and helpers provided a winning combination to ensure the Kids'
Café was a great success.
"Five years later, the Kids' Café is an integral part
of the Mentone Park Primary School's culture, providing healthy
food for students, a fun and friendly environment for parents
to work in. Parents support and encourage the healthy eating
education of students and also eagerly promote the Kids' Café
to the wider community and interested schools wishing to start
their own healthy canteen.
"Sue and Donna have been instrumental in promoting the
Kids' Café successes in partnership with 'Go for your life'
and Nutrition Australia and have presented their successes
to many schools. This has led to many awards such as [VSCA]
'Most Innovative Canteen' 2005; Fruit and Vegie Week Awards
2006, 2007 and 2009, and 'Fresh Food Kids' - Woolworth's Community
Grant Award of $5000, 2009.
"Sue and Donna are two passionate people who complement
each other with their enthusiasm, warmth, creativity, innovation
and tireless commitment. The school community of Mentone Park
demonstrates their appreciation every week for what Sue and
Donna have achieved, when they order from a fabulous menu
of healthy delights."
- Perry Kick, Assistant Principal
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