A DONATION of 4000 copies of the rural-themed books The Grower by Al Mabin have been gifted to schools throughout Australia.
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In fact, more than 40 schools in southern NSW and the Riverina have received the books in The Grower series.
The gesture by agricultural magnate John Nicoletti of Western Australia has been described as the largest single donation to the education system.
The Grower books recently arrived at Henty Public School and the pupils were thrilled to have copies in their library.
They flicked through the pages and learned about agriculture, from the local region, to the far west and the top end.
WIN A COPY OF THE DRIVER: The Rural together with Al Mabin is giving readers and online visitors a chance to win a copy of The Driver. The Driver celebrates the trucking industry and shows what an important role transport plays in the supply chain. To be in the draw email nreynolds@therural.com.au. Include The Driver in the subject line and tell us why you would like to win a copy. Be sure to include your full name and address.
The essence of Australia's diverse rural sector was captured by photographer Al Mabin.
Each set of the books is valued at $200.
"I grew up in a marginal area in the wheat belt of Western Australia," Mr Nicoletti said.
"I've probably seen more droughts than good years but I still managed to put together a big chunk of land," Nicoletti said.
"I want to encourage our young people ... if we can give 10 or 50 or 100 people the inspiration to get out there and have a real crack - this is what it's about."
Mrs Mabin took to social media to facilitate the books' dispersion, and teachers, families and businesses big and small got behind the project, helping to cover freight costs to each school.
In this region Landmark Wagga and Joel Murphy of Optimum Grain Silos and Augers covered the freight for the following schools. Many other schools in the region were also covered but by individual people:
- Young Public Schoo
- Hennessy Catholic College
- Saint Marys Primary School
- Young North Public School
- Young High School
- Murrumburrah High School
- Murrumburrah Public School
- Trinity Catholic School
- Wagga Wagga Public School
- South Wagga Public School
- Kildare Catholic College
- North Wagga Public School
- Holy Trinity West Wagga
- Henschke Primary School
- Turvey Park Primary School
- Mount Austin High School
- Saint Mary Mackillop Colleges
- Kooringal Public School
- Ashmont Public School
- The Riverina Anglican College
- St Josephs Primary School
- Sacred Heart Primary School
- Sturt Public School
- Wagga Wagga Christian College
- Tolland Public School
- Kooringal High School
- Lutheran Primary School
- Lake Albert Public School
- Mater Dei Catholic College
- Mater Dei Primary School
- Wagga Wagga High School
- Mount Austin Public School
- Forest Hill Public School
- Lockhart Central School
- St Josephs Primary School
- The Rock Central School
- Henty Public School
- Saint Pauls Lutheran School
- Temora High School
- St Annes Temora
- Temora West Public School
- Ariah Park Central School
- Barmedman Public School
"I saw the passion and perseverance that Aussie growers put into their animals and produce, but I also saw the disconnect between this industry and the people who are fed and clothed because of it," Mrs Mabin said.
"I knew I needed to somehow bridge that divide between those who are involved and those who aren't, the country and the city, and get recognition for our farmers and John took it one step further by making sure as many school kids as possible can get their hands on these books," she said.
She said agriculture was at the heart of Australia and with these books school children could get a better understanding of the industry.