General News
29 October, 2025
Age no barrier for Hampden artists
HAMPDEN P-12 students embraced an opportunity to connect with senior members of the community during a recent artistic collaboration.
Students recently took part in an Intergenerational Paint and Chat event, which had been organised in partnership with Corangamite Shire Council.
The students gathered at the Cobden Civic Hall alongside artist Stacey Williams and senior members of the community as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival 2025.
Hampden P-12 art teacher Natasha Togni said the day had provided the students with an opportunity to connect with older members of the community – which they otherwise would not have had.
“For a lot of our students, they never have the chance to do a guided art lesson with a practicing artist very often,” she said.
“It was a great opportunity to take part in a planned session, but to then work alongside different community members who they don’t often have the chance to engage with helps to develop so many important skills.
“They just loved it.
“There was a real mutual respect, the seniors appreciated it and I think the kids sensed that.”
Ms Togni said the day also helped the students to showcase the school values of kindness, teamwork and respect.
“Our values are something we have been working on recently, which is enhanced through program such as this,” she said.
“The teamwork they showed on the day working with the seniors requires communication, and in doing that we saw their kindness.
“I saw kids getting out of seats and offering the seniors tea or water or a sandwich – totally unprompted.
“Our other big school value is respect, and the kids showed so much respect for the people running program and the seniors.”
Ms Togni said some of the students had thrived when given the chance to learn in a new environment, further highlighting the benefits of such an event.
“Kids we wouldn’t normally see shine were really stepping up,” she said.
“It was amazing, really.
“Some of the students who are more reserved or don’t excel in the classroom were doing such a great job.
“It was good because we have been focusing on getting out in community more as well.
“Young people can cop a bad light sometimes but these kids are showing such a kindness and respect to other community members – so I think it was great for the seniors to see how great some of these kids are.”
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