GIFTS THAT KEEP GIVING

SILKY OAKS CHILDREN’S HAVEN

EDUCATING TOMORROW’S INDUSTRY LEADERS

GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING

To the AITC, a sense of community and ‘giving back’ can help a young person change their mindset, which is an important factor in making them employable. Young people need to learn to look beyond their own needs and see what their work actually does for other people. The Gift of Giving program allows AITC young people to complete projects while becoming more deeply engaged with their local communities and gaining practical skills which will help develop their career. The following is just one of the many Gift of Giving projects that the College completed in 2020.

Young people from our Ipswich campus travelled to Silky Oaks Children’s Haven in Manly West to undertake an important outdoor project. Silky Oaks ensures children and their families are protected, nurtured and empowered to build better lives in a safe environment.

Over several days, the AITC team dismantled the existing playground and constructed a garden using repurposed pieces of the old playground along with many plants donated by Bunnings.

Regional Industry Officer Dave Breeze said our young people were inspired by the work of the not-for-profit organisation to create something amazing. “We had access to the tool shed and our imaginations. Our young people worked really hard on the project, and the outcome surpassed ours and Silky Oaks’ expectations.”

“Our Gift of Giving projects provide a great opportunity for us to check in on young people and see how they are progressing with their hands-on skills, their attitude, and to take note of where they need to improve,” Dave explains.

Silky Oaks CEO Aaron Thirkettle was thrilled with the project, “As a non-profit, we keep in mind that our resources are in our relationships, so the partnership with the AITC from a values perspective, aligns with what we stand for. Repurposing pieces of the old playground had symbolism for us, in that even though the old playground wasn’t useable anymore, there were pieces that were. It shows us that everything has potential.”