Australia Droughts: NSW school helps farm children find release from weather-related stress

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03:30

Out of all of the people being affected by the drought gripping most of eastern Australia, children are particularly vulnerable. Many kids living on farms are absorbing the stress and depression their parents are feeling. One school has recognized the impact, and is taking steps to help its students cope as the land dries around them. Greg Navarro has the story.

The impact to people on the front lines of Australia's drought is clear. The same is true for their livestock, and the ground beneath them.

And that impact is spreading - through towns - down main streets, and into schools.

JOHN SOUTHON PRINCIPAL, TRUNDLE CENTRAL SCHOOL, NEW SOUTH WALES "I'd say about 6 months ago I started to see a change in their behaviour."

A lot of the 125 students at the Trundle Central School are from farming families. Principal John Southon noticed that many kids were taking on the stresses, facing their parents.

You never know whether mum and dad will have to sell because they are not making any money.

JOHN SOUTHON PRINCIPAL, TRUNDLE CENTRAL SCHOOL, NEW SOUTH WALES "I wasn't worried about the immediate affects, I was worried about what would happen when the drought breaks because our kids are working so hard on the farm as well, and the rain will eventually come, and they will still be sad because this is an event that has affected them and they won't know how to deal with that."

Southon came up with a plan, which started with raising money to put together food packages for financially strapped families. They also bought kids school supplies and uniforms.

An old shower block was upgraded and stocked with donated supplies, washing machines were installed - both opened to families.

Then Southon turned his attention to his students.

"Some of them get a little disenfranchised with the educational process and this drought has certainly increase that."

New classes were created focusing on positive experiences including fixing broken vehicles.

"It just gives them the skills to work through problems and do all of the type of stuff."

Old cars were also donated ("Yeah that's my car actually.") to be used as canvases for graffiti art.

GREG NAVARRO TRUNDLE, NEW SOUTH WALES "They even took the time to paint much of the trim here, much of the woodwork white, because the original colour looked too much like the brown, dry brown earth that surrounds this area."

OLIVER DUNN STUDENT "From just walking in the school and seeing brown, that's the only colour you really see out here but now he has painted them all white and bright colours, it makes you feel a bit happier."

And Ajax the service dog became a regular member of the student body.

JOHN SOUTHON PRINCIPAL, TRUNDLE CENTRAL SCHOOL, NEW SOUTH WALES "We've found that kids will sit there and talk to the Labrador about very complex problems because he doesn't have an answer, because there is not someone there saying oh well you will feel better in a couple of months or something like that - that is a nothing answer to a 9-year-old."

Experts say kids all across these drought affects areas are being impacted in some way.

The difference here is how the school has responded.

"It just makes me feel good that everyone understands what you are going through."

Thanks to a principal.

JOHN SOUTHON PRINCIPAL, TRUNDLE CENTRAL SCHOOL, NEW SOUTH WALES "And when the drought breaks we will capitalise on the change of attitude and say let's be really innovative and you kids can start thinking outside the square, cause we did it while we were under pressure - why should we stop now when things are good?"

Who thought he could make a difference. Greg Navarro, CGTN, Trundle.