The concept of a buddy bench has taken off so well that Altona Primary School now has two.
Radio presenter Meshel Laurie, whose twins attend the school, spearheaded an on-air campaign to have the benches installed in schools across Melbourne.
The buddy bench is a brightly-coloured seat where children can go when they are feeling lonely, bullied, or just to make friends.
If children see someone on the buddy bench, they are urged to reach out to them.
The idea is believed to have started in Germany, and has spread to schools around the world.
Ms Laurie helped organise the school’s first buddy bench and inspired Altona IGA to donate a second.
Store manager Joe Sidari said the supermarket was moved to act after hearing the school needed another buddy bench.
“After we heard Meshel Laurie talking about how her kids go to Altona Primary School and that the school is trying to encourage inclusion and friendship, we wanted to do something to help,” he said.
“After learning that the school already had one of these benches but needed another to cater for more kids at the school, we jumped at the chance to be able to provide this for them.
“We’re extremely delighted that we’ve been able to support and make a difference to the local kids in our area.”
