Hobart A started the last day of the Hawks’ Community Camp at Cosgrove High School, where Max Bailey addressed the middle school on a range of topics, including the importance of inclusion in sport. Students and players then enjoyed a kick on the oval, putting their skills to the test. The highlight of the visit came during question time, when a student asked Max if he would go out with his Mum.

Newtown Primary School was the next stop, where players conducting a clinic with grades 3-6. Kaiden Brand was put through his paces when he was instructed by one of the students to do 16 push-ups.

Hutchins Junior School’s 200 students welcomed the players in the auditorium with prepared questions from each class. Following this the group participated in a series of 12 stations, all developing the young boys’ football skills.

Our last visit of the day was a memorable one. Set in a picturesque park with Mount Wellington in the background, we enjoyed fun and games with members of the youth carers program from Commonwealth Respite Care. A series of fun and challenging activities had the kids (and players) working hard to figure them out.

Hobart B began their day at the Food Bank in Hobart, where the players donned high-vis work vests and were given the challenge of assembling 60 hampers that would be shipped out that night to fire affected towns. As competitive as always, the players pitted their packing and boxing skills against each other, with Brian Lake a standout (he put it all down to his teenage years spent working at Woolworths). Meanwhile, Josh Gibson and Brent Guerra were assigned some duties moving crates in the freezer section.

From the Food Bank, the group travelled to Dunalley and were amazed and moved by the damage left by the fires. The land was still blackened and it was eye-opening to drive through the town and see tents set up next to the burnt out carcasses of razed houses, while other properties – often next door – remained untouched by the blaze.

We met the students from Dunalley Primary School, who had only returned to school this week, on the cricket oval, where a lunch was put on for the players. Parents and students mingled with the players, who signed autographs and kicked the footy with the young kids. After a Q&A session hosted by the charismatic Josh Gibson, Brian Lake presented the school principal with netballs, footballs, a signed guernsey and two marquees for the school’s PE program.

After a couple of hours at the cricket oval, Hobart B’s last visit was to the Dunalley Pub, which was the major hub during the height of the bushfires. The players presented the publican with a signed Hawks guernsey in appreciation of his efforts, and spent some time with the locals there. After saying their goodbyes, Hobart B headed down the highway to the airport and departed for home.

While undoubtedly the purpose of Community Camp across Tasmania is to engage with the local community and say thank you for the support the state gives to Hawthorn Football Club, it is often the players that grow and develop most as a result of the wonderful activities and events the Club’s Community department organises. And the smiles on the kids’ faces is always an indication the Club has made an impact.

Captain Luke Hodge and Jessica try and figure out how to escape each other.

Cosgrove High School teachers with Kaiden Brand, Kyle Cheney, Max Bailey, Taylor Duryea and Grant Birchall.

Players stop for a happy snap with some teachers and student from Hutchins Primary School.

Brendan Whitecross gets involved at the Food Bank in Cambridge, helping make a hamper for fire affected families.