A mystery group in Melbourne had boxes of unsellable backpacks and overnight bags that were incorrectly labelled and facing the prospect of landfill. 

Ballarat-based home improvement business Handy Girl Australia got the tip-off and arranged to have almost 3000 move here for distribution to those who could benefit most.

For Yuille Park Community College families, it means one less thing to worry about buying – and knowing the bags they receive are designed to last.

Yuille Park assistant principal Brett Shillito said the school was always looking for ways to better connect with the community and this was such a generous gesture.

“The bags themselves are the sorts of things that can certainly help families within our community in hard times,” Mr Shillito said.

“It’s an opportunity to resource families with good quality items and things that can help in programs and what we’re trying to do in our school.”

The bags were on display at a school assembly on Friday afternoon. They will be distributed to families – one backpack and one overnight bag per student – from next week across all three campuses. 

This will reach children in kinder through to those studying VCAL and include the young parents program.

Other Ballarat welfare organisations to also benefit from the baggage are Eureka Mums, WRISC family violence support, Soup Bus Ballarat and Child and Family Services Ballarat.

Ballarat Specialist School has safely housed 300 boxes filled with bags awaiting distribution and will also receive free bags for some students.

Handy Girl Australia chief Kim Halbert-Pere, who played a key role in distributing the items, said the only condition from the mystery company was that the bags not be sold.

“They had these bags in storage for a long time and didn’t have any contacts to share them...we couldn’t not let them come here,” Ms Halbert-Pere said.