11 May 2026
Two brothers from Roebuck Primary School have reached more than three-times their fundraising goal to help wildlife devastated by Cyclone Narelle, that hit the state’s north earlier this year.
Rex and Lenny (centre front) were inspired to help after seeing the damage from Cyclone Narelle
Rex (Year 3) and Lenny (Year 6) did not set out to launch a school-wide fundraising campaign but ended up inspiring everyone at Roebuck Primary School to wear blue for their cause.
It started with Lenny’s leftover birthday money and a question he could not answer: what to do with it all?
The answer came about a month later, when his mum showed him and his brother a short clip on Facebook about wildlife in Exmouth suffering in the wake of Cyclone Narelle.
For Rex and Lenny, this was not just a news story, it was personal. The family had camped and fished together in Exmouth years before.
Lenny said the memories of those family trips made the footage hit him harder.
"Donating to Balu Blue was a perfect idea for my birthday money because a few years before we went there as a family and some friends," said Lenny.
"I hope (Balu Blue founder) Brinkley Davies can save more animals.”
A plan for their fundraiser came together during another family fishing trip, with the brothers organising it with their parents between catches.
They set an original target of $400.
The promotional push started with some help from their teacher, Aunty Alex Guthrie, who helped the boys share a video on the school’s Facebook page. Their mum also contacted Balu Blue’s founder Brinkley Davies, and the foundation itself.
When a school parent who works at the ABC spotted the video, the boys landed a morning interview on ABC radio Kimberley.
On the last day of Term 1, the school held Wear Blue for Balu Blue day.
Students at Roebuck Primary School helped raise more than $1,200 for the cause.
When the donations were tallied, Rex and Lenny had raised more than $1,200, more than three times their original $400 goal.
"Thanks to the donations, raising this much money makes us feel very grateful and proud on the inside,” Lenny said.
“It has been really nice seeing all the birds and snakes that have been helped by Balu Blue, being released back into the wild.”
Roebuck Primary School Principal, Nikki Sandilands, the initiative was a reminder that distance does not diminish compassion.
"Here in Broome, we're not immune to the impacts of cyclones,” she said.
“While Exmouth is over 1,000km away, it still feels close to home, so hearing about the impact on marine life really resonated with our students.
“Supporting our community means listening to student voice and backing them to step up, show care and take action, even from afar.”
Find out more about the Balu Blue Foundation through its website.