St Anne’s Primary School’s Mini-Vinnies receive award after lending a hand at Harvey Community Dinner

Cooking up a storm for more than 100 community members, the Harvey Community Dinner has had a helping hand from a local primary school’s Mini Vinnies program. St Anne’s Primary School Harvey — which works closely with the St Vincent de Paul Society — has stirred, fried and baked its way into winning the Catholic Education of WA’s prestigious Quality Catholic Education Award. The QCE awards host a range of categories that recognise programs and initiatives in Catholic schools across WA, with the community award highlighting and celebrating community collaboration. Mini Vinnies co-ordinator Leanne Pronk said while the award recognised the school’s participation, the dinner was a community effort and created a “lovely family and community atmosphere” for the students. “It was an award that our school had to nominate for and there were around 80 other nominations in the (community) category and our school won,” Ms Pronk said. “It’s a community effort and as much as our school did win the award, we really wanted to make sure that we acknowledge the community dinner committee as they are the ones who make it happen.” Ms Pronk said students usually lay out tables and present the food, however due to the pandemic, were unable to this year and instead put extra effort into the kitchen. The Harvey Community Dinner committee will be hosting a free Christmas lunch on December 19 in Kinsella Hall and everyone is welcome.