January 1 - 31, 2025: Issue 638

 

Tilly Rose Cooper's Swimwear Drive For Fijian Youngsters

Anyone interested in having a clean out of children’s outgrown swimwear, rashies and wetsuits in the next few weeks, please bring them along to your local surf club and put them in the special bin for a clothing drive for youngsters in Fiji. Community surf clubs from Palm Beach to Collaroy are supporting Tilly Rose Cooper, a 13-year-old Mona Vale SLSC SRC member, who is collecting these items for the community of Tagaqe Village in Fiji. 

Tilly explained during the week her family had gone to Fiji as her grandparents were renewing their vows. 

‘’Tagaqe Village in Fiji is a very special place, you have to be invited to be allowed to go there. I started talking with the other kids there – they asked if I played football – and then we went for a swim.’’ Tilly told the news service this week

‘’I noticed then they didn’t have any swimmers – they were going in in their everyday gear or their school uniforms because they didn’t have swimmers. With Christmas, and so many of us getting new swimmers because we have outgrown our other ones, I thought it would be good to repurpose these so they could have swimgear too.

‘’This would allow them to go swimming in swimgear instead of their clothes, which is a drowning hazard. We’d also be saving them from landfill by repurposing them.’’ Tilly said

How much gear do you need Tilly?

‘’As much as possible and whatever people can give. We need swimmers, rashies, t-shirts, shorts, hats, thongs, sunblock in ages from littlies through to teenagers. Everything really, and gently used or new would be great. We’re hoping to collect around 20 boxes of swimgear to send over. ‘’

‘’The surf clubs from Palm Beach to Collaroy will have a box with this sign people can drop it off to – that way our community will be helping this community.’’

How long have you been a member of Mona Vale SLSC?

‘’I’ve been around the surf club all my life – I joined in the Under 6’s Nippers. But even before then we were always down at Mona Vale surf club; my dad and grandfather are both members at Mona Vale, one of the father and son duos that serve the community through the club.’’

What’s the best part of being a part of MVSLSC for you?

‘’It’s great fun and I’ve also learned a lot through being a member and made great friends too. I have enjoyed the trips away with dad when we’re doing a surf club event. It’s always a bit of an adventure and we’ve had some funny times, been to great places and met interesting people.’’

Have you been enjoying your Summer so far?

‘’I could live with this all year round – I love Summer.’’

Tilly is also looking for a sponsor to help her ship the swim wear over. If you want to be the sponsor for this, or can help out in another way, please email her mum Allison: allison@steamit.com.au 

Details of the Fijian Clothes Drive for Youngsters

  • What to Donate: Gently used or new swimwear, rashies, board shorts, and t-shirts.
  • When: Now until February 9th.
  • Where: Donation boxes will be placed at participating Surf Life Saving Clubs, including during nippers and other club activities, from Palm Beach SLSC to Collaroy SLSC.

More via Instagram at: www.instagram.com/myfijianclothesdrive

Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby said this week; ‘‘There aren’t many 13-year-olds who come back from a holiday in Fiji with a mission to give back to the community they have visited. Tilly is a changemaker and embodies the Spirit of Pittwater, making a difference in our community as a member of Mona Vale Surf Lifesaving Club and beyond. 

‘’I encourage everyone to donate swimwear for this wonderful cause. I look forward to recognising Tilly in parliament with a Community Recognition Statement in the upcoming sitting weeks.’’