Orrvale Primary School students able to hit the tools in new $50,000 shed

By Max Stainkamph

Aug 12, 2022

Marvellous creations: Bunnings’ Trish Fedley, Sarah Batho and Kristie Scott (back row), with Greg McCoy (known as Poppy Greg at the school), Asher Christenson and Trent McMahon (middle row) and Amelia Holgate, Zak Sabic, Eva Nicolaci, Ruby Surace and Valentina Shaholli. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Orrvale Primary School is home to a new workshop after an act of generosity from a former student.

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Peter Copulos, who attended the school between 1948 and 1951 and has had children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren attend, stumped up a $50,000 donation for the construction of the workshop.

Education support and woodwork teacher Greg McCoy said Mr Copulos took a tour of the school and saw the old woodworking room in the bike shed, which only had space for four students at a time.

Announcement: Greg McCoy, also known as Poppy Greg, is the woodworking teacher at Orrvale Primary School. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

He said Mr Copulos took one look at the shed and said he was going to donate $50,000 to the cause.

Mr McCoy said he loved teaching woodworking.

“I love seeing the looks on their faces as they make something,” he said.

“Sometimes I’ve got to use my imagination when they say it’s a castle but their minds are like clay, you want to spark the passion when they’re young so they carry it through until they’re older.”

Creative minds: Valentina Shaholli, Ruby Surace and Eva Nicolaci. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

School council vice-president John Evans, who is also an advisor to the Copulos Foundation, said it was exciting to be able to open the shed in stead of Mr Copulos, who was unwell and couldn’t attend.

“He was living over there on the family farm and he went here, as did his children, then grandchildren and now great-grandchildren,” Mr Evans said.

‘Unique facility’: John Evans, who was speaking on behalf of Peter Copulos at the opening. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“It’s a unique facility for primary school.

“Peter and Maria have obviously been able to build a successful business in the region and they love the opportunity to give back through projects like this.

“It's something that they can give back to the community that's been so good to them.”

Principal Adam Brennan said he was stoked to have what was a temporary program in 2018 expand to a full-time program across all grades.

New horizons: Camilla and Valentina Shaholli, with Alexander, Anthony and Emily Georgiou. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“We’re seeing first-hand that not only are students developing their technical and creative skills but there are so many more fantastic learning and developmental achievements they’re making,” he said.

“I’m very grateful for the contribution of everyone who has provided the school this fantastic opportunity for students, particularly Peter Copulos and Greg McCoy.”

Thankful: Maddi Gurnick and Halisa Kutrolli speak at the opening of the Peter Copulos Workshop. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Bunnings Shepparton has helped provide tools and materials for the shed, and will continue to work with the school to keep the workshop supplied, Bunnings Shepparton activities organiser Sarah Batho said.

“It’s something which is great to see because it gets the kids doing something rather than sitting there on their phones or on the computer,” she said.

“It’s fantastic to see something hands-on for schoolchildren.”