Townsville Chiefs donate drums for students at NRL Cowboys house

Smiles were all around at NRL Cowboys House as students received a special delivery — new musical instruments, donated by the Townsville Chiefs. Read about the record-breaking fundraiser.

Students from Cowboys house with (left) Chiefs player Roger Johnston, Brad Baker, Warren Abbey and Paddy Andrews with the drums Chiefs fundraised for through a charity rugby league match

Record-breaking fundraising from the Townsville Chiefs has allowed students at the NRL Cowboys House to explore their musical talents and connect with their culture.

In eight months, the Townsville Chiefs were able to raise more than $10,000 through raffles and donations before they took the field against Brother’s Old Boys in a charity curtain raiser at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

With the money raised, the Chiefs kindly donated two sets of drums to the Cowboys House so students could explore their musical talents and engage with their culture.

The Townsville Chiefs is a rugby league team of correctional officers that raises money for charities around the region.

Chiefs player Paddy Andrews had the opportunity to join the kids for a drum circle after the equipment arrived and said he was impressed by their natural talent.

(Left) Roger Johnston, Brad Baker, Warren Abbey and Paddy Andrews were about of the charity rugby league Chiefs vs. Brothers old boys match that fundraised over $10,000 for NRL Cowboys house. Buying drums for the students

“It’s a great feeling to walk in and you see them drumming away,” he said.

“It’s great to see and it will be good to see where they take the program and what they can do in three to four months.”

Mr Andrews first joined the team when he began his career in corrections after learning about the team’s purpose.

“There’s a lot of people out there that suffer from PTSD or depression … so I just wanted to be part of a group that has each other’s backs and looks after each other,” he said.

NRL Cowboys House general manager Rochelle Jones said the instruments would encourage creative expression while providing a fun and engaging way to reduce students’ stress.

“Our new program will be a fusion of cultures, teaching the students drumming techniques as well as Indigenous stories told through song,” Ms Jones said.

“We’re so grateful to the Chiefs for their continued support and to the community for getting behind their fundraising efforts, and we can’t wait to see and hear the difference these drums make to our students.”

Originally published as Townsville Chiefs donate drums for students at NRL Cowboys house