Senator Bilyk celebrates with Green Corps Graduates at Nicholls Rivulet

On Monday 21 September eight Green Corps participants graduated after completing work on the 26 week Peregrine School Community Garden and Community Access Green Corps Project in Hobart.

The Australian Government’s Green Corps program gives volunteers the opportunity to take part in projects that conserve, preserve and restore Australia’s natural environment and cultural heritage.

Green Corps is also designed to help community groups restore and rehabilitate the local environment and heritage assets.

Undertaken by a team of young people, learning new skills and establishing links with their communities, Senator for Tasmania, Catryna Bilyk, said the Peregrine School Project involved environmental restoration on the school grounds and around Nicholls Rivulet.

“The team’s work has created a community area where people can grow food, cultivate plants and connect with each other,” Senator Bilyk said.

“The Garden is a welcome addition to the area’s green spaces and offers community-based learning opportunities around horticulture and landcare.”

The work included weeding, tree planting, fencing and garden bed development, as well as building a pizza oven and chicken shed and designing and constructing an open learning area and 10 fitness circuit stations for community use.

“It will also enhance educational opportunities at the Peregrine School around good nutritious food through horticulture and landcare. In addition, there is the opportunity to create a sensory and mobility garden to help people with disabilities get involved in gardening.”

The Green Corps team, managed by Central Victoria Group Training, has worked in partnership with Peregrine School/Huon Valley Independent School Association and the Snug Land and Coast Care Group.

Senator Bilyk said community and government partnerships are a key ingredient to the success of Green Corps projects across Australia. “Participants have learnt many practical skills through their training and exposure to real work situations. This will certainly help them when they are looking for paid employment,” she said.

The eight participants all gained their Certificate 1 in Conservation and Land Management as well as OH&S and First Aid training.

Under Job Services Australia, which commenced on 1 July 2009, seven programs have been streamlined into one service. Local providers will provide a ‘one-stop shop’ providing assistance to job seekers. Green Corp activities continue to be available as a valuable work experience options for job seekers.

The new, more effective employment services will increase employment participation and help individual job seekers, particularly disadvantaged job seekers, find employment, with a greater focus on skill development and training.

More information about Job Services Australia is available at

http://www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/JSA

Pic: Senator Bilyk with Members of the Green Corps Group and school community.
Senator Catryna Bilyk Labor Senator for Tasmania