Free hats at St Paul's College, Kempsey, after melanoma message

For principal Kevin Lewis the message was familiar territory, yet the words were so telling that a school uniform change is on the way.

Mr Allen spoke about melanoma, and presented compelling statistics related to its prevalence in Australia and the devastating impact it can have on individuals and families.

Nearly 75 per cent of all melanoma cases which present in adult life could be prevented if appropriate action was taken during the most crucial years, childhood and adolescence.

Mr Lewis, who has himself been touched by the impacts of melanoma and who also suffers from the effects of childhood skin damage, said it was an issue close to his heart.

Following the presentation, Mr Lewis set about seeking opportunities to secure grant money to provide each child at the college a hat free of charge.

While the ‘old’ school cap was readily available, its design provided minimal protection from UV exposure.

So with a generous donation from the college Student Representative Council and some other grant money, each child has now been presented with a new college cap as the first step in providing greater protection for the skin of the young men and women at the school. Further options for 'bucket style' wide brim hats will be developed and made available for students next year.  

Along with additional shade installations, Mr Lewis said St Paul’s was committed to providing the best protection for its students during their most important years.

“It is far too easy for young people to believe it won't happen to them, but I am here to tell them it does, and when it happens in adult life it is too late to go back and say 'I wish I had worn a hat more often',” Mr Lewis said.  

Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma in the world. On average, 30 Australians will be diagnosed with melanoma every day and more than 1200 will die from the disease each year.