Prized helper makes the cut

By Bridget Brady
LEANNE Bryant said she nearly fell off her chair on Friday night when she was announced as a winner of a Casey volunteer award.
Mrs Bryant won an individual award for services to early childhood education.
She could be mistaken for a full-time employee at Cranbourne West Primary School, but her work as co-ordinator of the breakfast and brunch clubs is all voluntary.
Mrs Bryant is at the school at 8.20am every morning getting ready for the clubs, which help to foster healthy eating messages for the students and provide food for students who come to school on an empty stomach.
“Doing it is rewarding. There are some families out there that, for some reason or another, they don’t provide their children with breakfast. Maybe they can’t afford it,” she said.
“The children love being involved and they learn a lot about healthy eating and food handling.”
Mrs Bryant said the students would eat through six to eight platters of sandwiches on some days.
Mrs Bryant started volunteering at the school about four years ago when her son started in Prep. She used to be president of the Parents and Friends Club at the school and is on the school council.
“I was dumb-founded when they called out my name because I don’t do it for accolades. I do it because there is work that needs to be done … I get plenty of help from other volunteers.
“I was very proud and honoured to win. I enjoy doing it for the school.”