TAFE NSW Wauchope construction students made 50 boomerangs for young people to paint and decorate as part of NAIDOC Week 2017 activities last month.
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The initiative was in partnership with the Port Macquarie Hastings Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Service, which provides a range of support to many of the young people.
It’s heart-warming, and we hope the students enjoyed themselves while making them, knowing they were helping a local service and local people.
- Dianne Leonard
The service’s regional and rural specialist, Dianne Leonard, said the partnership with TAFE NSW provided many great opportunities and benefits.
"The boomerangs ensured people were drawn to the activity at our stall during NAIDOC activities, helping us to engage,” Ms Leonard said.
“The combination of the students’ efforts and the support of TAFE NSW allowed many people, especially children, to paint their own boomerangs and keep them as souvenirs from Birpai Lands Council.
“Two beautifully painted and framed boomerangs now hang in our outreach centre – Liberty Cottage – as a gift from our friends at TAFE NSW in Wauchope.
“In a way they speak to our shared commitment to meeting the needs of Aboriginal people visiting the service and give reassurance that we provide culturally safe support.
“We are grateful to the staff and students of TAFE NSW Wauchope for the care and skill shown in providing the boomerangs.
“It’s heart-warming, and we hope the students enjoyed themselves while making them, knowing they were helping a local service and local people.”
TAFE NSW Wauchope head teacher for construction Ian Skaines said the students were able to put their newly-acquired skills of measuring, cutting and sanding structural plywood into practise in making the boomerangs.
“While it was a fun activity, the students also needed to prove their ability to plan the whole activity and to demonstrate their understanding of the relevant Workplace Health and Safety guidelines required throughout the process,” Mr Skaines added.