Mother and daughter taking the plunge

Rhona Hamon is one of a dozen Devonport Chaplaincy chaplains, staff and board members taking a freezing dip in the Devonport surf this Saturday, June 22.

Rhona and husband Michael are long time chaplains, serving at East Ulverstone and West Ulverstone Primary Schools.

Rhona and daughter Georgia, 13, will be taking part in their second Solstice Splash. Their goal is to raise $500 of the overall $60,000 target.

Rhona said school breakfast programs and crisis food hampers through Devonport Chaplaincy’s sister organisation, Loaves and Fishes Tasmania, were having a huge impact on families.

“It’s not just the food. I’ve been able to personally deliver many hampers to various families at their homes to build relationships and connections and be seen as part of the community,” she said.

Both Michael and Rhona have worked at East Ulverstone Primary School since the end of 2020, while Rhona added two days a week at West Ulverstone from the end of first term this year. Ironically, this was where Michael worked for his last seven years of teaching. 

“The principal at West Ulverstone asked me how long I planned on staying because the children needed stability,” Rhona said.

“I told her that I had let my nursing registration lapse and I intended to finish my working life in this position.”

They say the broad nature of the chaplaincy role is its most challenging aspect.

Past Principal of West Ulverstone Primary School, Sarah Crawford, said:

“Chaplaincy is something the community of West Ulverstone cherish. Rhona has stepped into the role perfectly, a job she has done with respect after taking over the role from Leanne Jopson, who held the role for years.

“She has developed solid relationships with our students who regularly ask if it is her day working or not. They love the programs she has set up with cooking and chess and also just love the opportunity to talk with her about life.

“Our families also appreciate her smiling face and value her knowledge, understanding and compassion. Rhona’s role in our school is highly valued.”

Funds raised from the annual Solstice Splash will be used to provide school breakfasts, learner-driver and student mentors, school chaplains and mental health first aid training.

Sign up as a splasher or sponsor a swimmer here.