The Great Cook Up Serves the Community

The St Mark’s OSA / Salvation Army Great Cook Up came together for the first time in 2026 last Thursday (12 March), bringing plenty of energy and community spirit to the Food Tech rooms.

Throughout the afternoon, there was a real buzz of activity as an enthusiastic group of parents and students rolled up their sleeves to cook and prepare meals for the Salvation Army. It was wonderful to see so many new faces joining the program this year, alongside several familiar volunteers who returned to lend a hand.

The kitchen was filled with students working side by side with their mums and dads, creating a warm and collaborative atmosphere that truly reflected the spirit of the St Mark’s community. By the end of the session, the group had prepared eleven full bain-maries, around 120 meals, which were served to people experiencing homelessness over the following weekend.

A heartfelt thank you to all the students and parents who took part. Your generosity and teamwork made the afternoon a great success. Brett and the team from the Salvation Army were incredibly grateful for the meals provided.

The Great Cook Up is a wonderful initiative led by the St Mark’s Old Scholars’ Association and has been supporting the community for more than six years. It remains a meaningful way for our community to come together and make a tangible difference in the lives of others.