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TAFE at School students’ carpentry projects benefit local communities
Darling Downs and South Burnett TAFE at School construction students have been hard at work gaining hands-on trade skills while building practical pieces of furniture for local community organisations.
Guided by industry-experienced TAFE Queensland Carpentry Teacher, Mick Scott, the high school students are learning valuable foundational trade knowledge and problem-solving skills, while working as a team to construct their wooden items from scratch.
Nanango State High School Year 12 student, Riley Hermann (pictured above right), is among the group of 10 students completing the Certificate I in Construction (CPC10120) course at the Kingaroy campus. Riley has enjoyed nailing new techniques while working on a project with purpose.
“I’ve practiced drilling and using the drop saw and I've also learnt new skills, particularly how to construct joints and then polish them with sanding and or putting parts together,” said Riley.
TAFE at School construction students, with the help of Mick, measure up a chair they're completing at the Kingaroy campus.
“We worked on a Jack and Jill chair together and then after it was completed, we took photos and donated it to our retirement home here in Kingaroy.”
“It gives the elderly residents a chance to make new friends or just relax, and in the middle of the chair you've got a useful table,” he added.
Riley’s peers completing the course at the Toowoomba and Nurunderi campuses have been working on similar projects, and unanimously, the cohort decided to donate their work to local community organisations, said Mick Scott.
“It was great to see the students across the three campuses working together to bring their projects to life, and then after completion, they all voted to donate their Jack and Jill outdoor chairs for community benefit,” explained Mick.
“At our Nurunderi campus, our students nominated the Cherbourg CRAICCS Health Service, while in Kingaroy, the students’ discussions led to a decision to donate it to the Southern Cross Care Nanango – Karinya Residential Care Facility.”
“Our group of students at the Toowoomba campus chose to donate their chair to the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation, as a raffle item for the Leon Treadwell Memorial Golf Day.”
TAFE at School construction students at the Toowoomba campus pictured with their completed Jack and Jill chair.
Toowoomba Hospital Foundation CEO, Alison Kennedy, said it was wonderful to see the region’s young people supporting local causes.
“The Leon Treadwell Memorial Golf Day holds a special place in our hearts at the Foundation and for many of Leon’s family, friends, and those who knew him,” she said.
“Each year the Day raises much-needed funds to support the vital work of our Cancer Care Services at Darling Downs Health and this year funds raised have gone towards the planned new Regional Cancer Centre.”
“We’re excited to announce that with the support of the students of TAFE Queensland we’ve raised an incredible $14,487.75 to help us in our mission to build a new regional cancer centre for patients receiving treatment and care with Darling Downs Health.”
“It’s always so wonderful to see our community’s young people support local causes, and we’d like to give Mick a special thank you for encouraging his students to apply their skills and learning towards creating pieces that can assist us and our fellow charity organisations.
“The students did an absolutely amazing job, and it went home with a very lucky and appreciative winner of our fundraising raffle at the Leon Treadwell Memorial Golf Day.”
Emily Treadwell (daughter) and Leah Treadwell (widow) with the Jack and Jill seat at the NRG Services Leon Treadwell Memorial Charity Golf Day.
TAFE Queensland General Manager of the South West Region, Jenni Butler, also praised the collaborative effort of the construction students and their commitment to contributing to their local communities.
“Our TAFE at School students’ determination and skills have been showcased as they contribute positively to their community while also securing a brighter future for themselves,” Mrs Butler said.
“It’s also great to see the students building valuable life and career skills related to sustainability and community engagement.”