A new partnership between the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys and North Queensland Bulk Ports was showcased in Mackay this week.
Club legends Brent Tate and Matthew Bowen visited four local schools to talk to students about healthy living, healthy eating and the importance of school attendance as part of a community partnership with NQBP.
The new partnership will see the Cowboys and North Queensland Bulk Ports team up to roll out school engagement activities – dubbed 'Bulk Port blitzes' – in the four cities and towns in which the company runs sea ports: Mackay, Sarina, Bowen and Weipa.
Excited to have the @nthqldcowboys in Mackay today for our first "Bulk Ports Blitz"! https://t.co/MlY7UneMU0
— North Qld Bulk Ports (@NQBulkPorts) November 20, 2016
Their Mackay visits this week included:
- Speaking to students at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School about putting effort into everything they do, healthy eating and working as a team
- A visit to Beaconsfield State School, with Brent and Matthew helping out in a year one math class and a year three writing class
- Playing touch footy with students at Andergrove State School and speaking about school attendance
- Engaging with students at MacKillop Catholic Primary School
Beaconsfield State School
North Queensland Bulk Ports Senior Manager – External Affairs Ian McGoldrick said the opportunity to partner with the Cowboys in the community space was a perfect way to roll out its engagement programs.
“Ports are such an important part of the communities in which they operate,” Mr McGoldrick said.
“We’ve got port communities from Mackay and Sarina to Bowen and up to Weipa, so it was a natural fit for us to partner with the North Queensland Cowboys to bring a community engagement program into those port communities.
“Certainly the positive messages (brought out in these community programs) are crucial for us.
“The North Queensland Cowboys have a very recognised program that was great for us to partner with.
“For example, to be able to come out to schools today and hear the Cowboys legends talk about the importance of getting the diet right, turning up to school every day … these are the sorts of positive messages that we seek to put into the community as well.”
Tate said he was thrilled to meet the students while sharing positive messaging around schooling.
“It’s nice for us to be able to share our experiences with the kids through this partnership. If we can share our story and provide some inspiration for them, that’s great," Tate said.
Bowen, as Cowboys’ community engagement officer, got a buzz out of speaking with students.
“Part of my role at the Cowboys is coming in and talking to the kids about eating healthy and making good lifestyle choices. It’s something I enjoy and hopefully the kids get something out of it,” he said.
Students also received Cowboys and North Queensland Bulk Ports prize packs on the visits.
North Queensland Bulk Ports were welcomed as a new Cowboys Community Partner at a stakeholders’ event, with club CEO Greg Tonner outlining the partnership.
Top image: Visiting St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
Andergrove State School
