Last year, a student told high school teacher and wellbeing coordinator Nerissa Hannaford that she would not be attending her end-of-year formal because she couldn't afford a dress.
Ms Hannaford drove to a giveaway event in Kambah to pick out a gown for the student. The event was Operation Formalwear, an annual Lions Club Tuggeranong project then in its third year.
She came back to work at St John Paul II College inspired to join the project. Now, with the help of her students, Ms Hannaford is helping Lions Club bring free formalwear for students in years 10 and 12 to Canberra's north.
"We are so excited to be involved in Operation Formalwear," she said. "It's so great to see the involvement of the students."
On Sunday, September 20, the school will host an Operation Formalwear pop-up, inviting students from all over Canberra to take home a second-hand formal outfit for free.
The Neat Street Coffee Van and a barbecue provided by Lions Club Belconnen will be operating at the event.
College captain Baylen Whittaker observed that the high cost of formalwear has deterred many of his peers from attending formals.
"The last few years JPC students have been making the drive down south to get to Operation Formalwear. Hopefully this year we get a lot more people coming in."
Fellow College captain Olive Odoemena felt that the pop-up will give more of her peers the opportunity to "celebrate these important life events with dignity and confidence", as well as give thousands of clothing items a second chance.
The clothes are donated to the Lions Club Tuggeranong from residents of Canberra's north.
Any spares will be sorted alongside donated clothing from southside residents and be available at the main annual event by Lions Club Tuggeranong at the Westwood Lodge in Kambah.
On Friday, October 9, private appointment-only sessions will be held for students with sensory or accessibility needs, before the event will open to the public over the weekend, October 10-11.
Stylist Lauren Bush has taken over the operation of the project for Lions Club this year. With more than 40 tubs of donated clothing, she said Operation Formalwear is "bigger than ever".
"Seeing the joy on kids' faces when they pick something out and get to take it home for free is amazing," she said.
St John Paul II College principal Michael Lee expressed pride in his students' readiness to take on the project.
"Kids in general really understand recycling," Mr Lee said. "And while that's not a glamorous word when it comes to a ballgown, they're always happy to rifle through clothing and see how they can make it their own."
Ms Hannaford said that the preparation for the pop-up has already been a success for the students, empowering them to promote sustainable fashion and even find their personal style.
"It's been a wonderful thing for our school."
