Communities at Work

Calling on the community to help Galilee School raise $15,000 to transform Bosco's Barn into Bosco's Cafe - a real world training cafe for its vulnerable students

From Bushfire Survivor to Student Futures: Bosco’s Barn Set for Life-Changing Transformation

Galilee School has launched a campaign through the Hands Across Canberra 2026 Canberra Day Appeal to raise $15,000 to transform Bosco’s Barn at its Kambah Campus into Bosco’s Café — a real working training café for students to help change the lives of vulnerable young people.

Bosco’s Barn is one of the few original structures to survive Canberra’s devastating 2023 bushfires that destroyed much of southern Canberra, including the newly built Galilee School at the time. Built by former staff and students, the stone building has long stood as a symbol of resilience.

Galilee School supports young people in Years 7–12 who are at risk of disengaging from mainstream education. Many have experienced trauma, disrupted learning and significant life challenges.

Principal Tim McNevin said Bosco’s Café would provide practical hospitality training in a safe and supportive environment.

“When young people are given trust, skills and support, they thrive,” Mr McNevin said. “This café will give our students real workplace experience, help them build confidence and open pathways into employment.”

The café will operate as a functioning training environment where students prepare food, serve customers and learn teamwork and customer service. For many, it will be their first experience of success in a workplace setting.

Funds raised through the Canberra Day Appeal will stay local and help remove barriers to education, including access to food, transport and learning resources.

Galilee School hopes the community will support the $15,000 goal before the appeal closes.

“This project is about much more than just renovating a beautiful building. It’s about turning belief into opportunity,” Mr McNevin said. “We want our students to see that they are capable, employable and valued.”

Donate here : https://canberra-day-appeal-2026.raiselysite.com/o/galilee-school