With students due back at school in the next few weeks, the associated costs can leave some without essential items.

To help ensure all children have the same opportunities as others, Benalla’s Esther Hoare is once again organising her back-to-school appeal.

“This is the third year I’ve done it,” she said.

“I’m just looking for donations from the community for getting kids back to school with everything they need.”

Esther has a list of suggestions, but asks that they are either new, or in very good condition, as the idea is to give kids the best start possible for their new school year:

Donations are being collected to distribute to students of all schools, both primary and secondary.

Esther said the appeal had been growing year-on-year, and highlights how generous the Benalla community is.

“I’ve even had people stop me in the street to ask if I’ll be doing it again,” she said.

“I think for kids starting school for the year, it can be a bit daunting.

“Especially if they don’t know have the same things as the other kids.

“It makes it a bit harder for kids to have that confidence.”

As in previous years, Esther plans to arrange for Coles and Woolworths to have a trolley at their entrances for donations.

However, in the meantime, she is asking for people looking to donate to call her on 0424 816 767 to arrange for her to collect them.

Families who would benefit from the donations are asked to come to Tomorrow Today, at Cecily Crt, 66 Nunn St, Benalla on Monday, January 19 or Tuesday, January 20 between 11am and 2.30pm.

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Sunday, 26th July 2026

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