'Birthday' comes early for Reservoir East students

A few months shy of its second ‘birthday’, a breakfast club for students at Reservoir East Primary School today received an unexpected gift from the Australian Medical Association Victoria (AMA).

Dr Doug Travis, AMA Victoria’s President, tucked into a bowl of cereal with more than a dozen students from Reservoir East, before presenting breakfast club operator Melbourne Citymission with a cheque for $13,000.

AMA Victoria, through the Medical Society of Victoria, administers a number of trusts and bequests. The generous donation was a bequest from a donor who requested anonymity. The generous donation will cover the cost of food and staff for half the school year, according to Anne Turley, Chief Executive Officer, Melbourne Citymission, who thanked AMA Victoria for its support.

The breakfast club, launched by Melbourne Citymission and Reservoir East Primary School in May 2007 as part of the Victorian Government’s East Reservoir Neighbourhood Renewal program, has been a success from the get-go.

It attracts around 30 children each day. Milk, cereal, toast, fruit and yogurt are among the breakfast offerings. In an average week, the club ‘members’ make their way through up to eight litres of milk and six loaves of bread.

'It's a happy and healthy start to the day for the students, many of whom used to skip breakfast,' Ms Turley said. In fact, some children who previously used to arrive late for school now get there on time, because they enjoy the program – and the social interaction – so much.

Dr Travis said a healthy breakfast was crucial in providing children with the nutrition and energy they need to get through the day.

'Nutritious breakfasts can make a significant and positive difference in students' behaviour, concentration in class, performance on the sporting field and even attitude to homework.

'Along with daily exercise, a nutritious diet means healthy bodies. AMA Victoria is delighted to be involved with the Reservoir East Breakfast Club,' Dr Travis said.

'They are a fantastic group of children, and we see this as not only an investment in their future, but in Australia's future.'

ENDS

Contact Information:

Michele Rushby
Executive Assistant, CEO Office Melbourne Citymission
Tel: 03 8625 4463
mrushby@mcm.org.au

Fronscesca Jackson-Webb

Communications and Public Affairs Officer
AMA Victoria
Mobile 0437 450 506