Hobart City Council in association with the Wellington Park Management Trust is proud to be continuing its involvement with Green Corps. The Green Corps program is an Australian Government youth development and environmental training program for young Australians aged between 17 and 20 years.
Green Corps programs have an environmental and/or cultural heritage focus. They provide youth development opportunities to the Green Corps participants and facilitate linkages between the participants and their local community.
Through their collaborative work on projects of significant heritage and land conservation value the participants are supported in developing life skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication and organisation. Also, through coaching in practical skills such as public speaking, running meetings, diary and record keeping and reporting, they are given a head start in gaining employment on completion of the program.
Green Corps team members are introduced to a broad range of community organisations and prospective future employers. There are numerous instances of these organisations employing former Green Corps participants who have proven their aptitude and gained the skills and experience employers are seeking. Combined with Certificate I and II level training in Conservation and Land Management, these young people are finding Green Corps a very well-spent 26 weeks indeed.
The Green Corps team have been working with Council since late March 2009, with their main project being construction toward Stage 2 of the North South Track on Mt Wellington. Stage 2 of the track traverses the dolerite and sandstone rock and wet forests between The Springs and linking up with Stage 1 of the track at Shoobridge Bend.
The current Green Corps team is the 11th team that Council has worked with since the early 1990s and the third team to have contributed toward construction of the two stages of the North South Track.
The team has contributed toward construction of over 500 metres of the track, installed over 400 metres of stone edging, 300 metres of gravelling and 200 metres of dry stone walling.
The team will end its 26 week program with Council in late September 2009, but not before undertaking several weeks of weed control in bushland areas, planting, mulching, Aboriginal heritage management work, minor projects and community service projects with Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and the RSPCA. There will also be a 2 week Community Venture, where the team devotes its time and effort solely to a community service project of their devising.
“Despite living very close to the mountain I rarely got the chance, or felt the urge to go up there. After working on the Mount Wellington track however I have come to appreciate the natural beauty that is just minutes from Hobart Town and will make the effort to further explore the mountain in the future.”
Mim, 18.
“As a mountain biker, I have always enjoyed the convenience and great riding that Mt. Wellington has to offer. I am glad to have the opportunity to contribute to the development of mountain biking in Tasmania.”
James. 18.
“It has been surprising to learn about how intricate the development process and the maintenance of our Wellington Park are. There are so many people and processes involved, and to be a part of that even for this short while is a wonderfully worthwhile opportunity.”
Samantha, 18.
“Our main project on Mt Wellington has given me a greater understanding of not just the hands on working of building the track, but also the planning and organising behind it that most people don’t see.”
Will, 18.
“I think it’s great that Green Corps has given young people like us an opportunity to help build the north south track, and work with the Hobart City Council.”
Ashley, 18.
“I am really proud of our work up there considering what it was when we started, it’s also great knowing people will use it and enjoy it for years to come.”
James, 19.
“I find it to be a great experience and I’m surprised at how old-fashioned the work is – honest, hard yakka. The purpose of the project gives me great peace of mind, knowing it’s going to be there for years to come.”
Ari, 20.
“During this short time I have seen that Green Corps works to help the communities it works with and offers great training to its participants. The work benefits all members of the community: residents get a safer and cleaner environment to live in, and participants gain skills, training and experience.”
Dion, 18.
“I see my role as Team Leader as helping young people to realise their potential, to develop their skills and unique abilities for a worthwhile community project. My method in achieving this aim is by giving responsibility, by providing support and by encouraging them to increase their ownership in the project“.
Ben, Green Corps Team Leader
