Bella meets the Solomon Islands Prime Minister

by Bella on 14 Jun 2001 Australian Primary School children thrilled to see Solomon Island Prime Minister has sense of fun.

A stowaway discovered aboard Yacht 'Overdraft' shortly after the start of the 2001 Brisbane to Gizo Yacht Race has been sent home. But not exactly in disgrace.

Stowaway Bella is a stuffed toy belonging to the year six students at Logan Reserve State School and part of the Australian Centenary of Federation celebrations. Students from state schools who have been participating in the project have sent their 'travel buddies' overseas with friends of the school. Their travel buddies correspond with the students.

The project has real impact on literacy outcomes for students, and supports Education Queensland's drive to improve literacy levels for all students.

Bella was smuggled aboard the racing yacht to complete the race and was embraced (sometimes a little too closely, Matthew) by the crew.

Bella went to the Monday presentation when Prime Minister Sogavare opened Vake Tepe week.

The students of Logan Reserve State School are in the process of receiving emails from Bella now that 'Overdraft' is safely moored in Gizo. The text of the second follows:
____________________________________________________________
Monday June 11th 2001

Hello Year six students at Logan reserve

Well - the high life in the Solomons is terrific. Attached is a photo of me with Mr Maiseh Sogavare, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands and Mr Aloysius Ora, Provincial Police Commander for the Western Provinces. Amazing. And really nice guys. I met them when they came to open Vaka Tepe week, the celebrations that go with the yacht race.

There are some great photos of us on the boat and I met the kids from the Gizo schools this morning. The kids came for a sail on 'Overdraft' and we had a waterfight. It was so cool.

Love Bella