Life and jobs skills learnt

By Yvonne Gardiner

A SELECT group of Year 10 boys from Kingscliff High School are better equipped to find employment after training provided by Tweed Police and the Tweed Heads PCYC.

Their graduation from the Fit to Learn program was celebrated on Thursday, June 22.

Picking up their certificates were Kai McIntosh, Jack Nelson, Taj Wharekawa, Chase Wilson, Flynn Swales, Troy Studeman, Lucas Dalziell, Brayden Roberts, Sunny Hurworth, Charlie Alroy, Koby Dickinson and Zayne Cowan.

Three more students completed the Job Ready Program — Will Shipman, Drew Hanson and Tom Southan.

Senior constables Rikki and Scott Bowden, who ran the program, said the boys were “engaged and respectful” throughout the course.

Rikki was a youth engagement officer with the Youth and Crime Prevention

Command attached to Tweed Heads PCYC.

“They are a fantastic group who have been so respectful and well mannered,” she said.

“I have been running programs like this for years and have not had a group that were so well behaved before.

“This is the first time the program has been run up here at Tweed; we previously ran it in Bathurst where we were stationed before we moved here last August.”

A Job Ready workshop was part of the program, in which the boys secured their white cards (attainment for preparing to work safely in the construction industry), interview skills, resumes and first aid knowledge.

“The program is part of the NSW Police Commissioner’s ‘RISE UP Strategy’,” Rikki said.

“(It) gives the young people important life skills as well as skills to assist them in either staying engaged in education or to assist in gaining employment.

“The program is free to attend and costs nothing.

“This explained to the young people why they feel and think the way they do, while encouraging them to seek to always better themselves.

“It will provide the young people with the chance to have a more enjoyable school life and learn new things in a different environment.”

Program participant Taj Wharekawa enjoyed the sports activities, especially basketball, and “learning more about life”.

He’s keen to go into a trade after school.

“I want to do plumbing or maybe scaffolding,” Taj said.

St George Bank supported the Fit to Learn program with a grant.

“In term 4, Fit for Service will be running, which is another program in the ‘RISE UP Strategy’,” Rikki said.

“This is a program for young people who have an interest in joining the emergency services or the military.”

Murbah Open Day

LOCAL BEER brewer Stone & Wood is thrilled to announce their mini beer festival, Murbah Open Day, will return for another year at their Murwillumbah brewery on Saturday, August 5. Welcoming locals and beer lovers from all over, Murbah Open Day is a celebration of community, great music, good food and of course, fresh beer straight from the source at 35 Kite Crescent in South Murwillumbah.

Stone & Wood communications representative Katie Benson said the event is the only day of year the brewery opens to the public.

“Murbah Open Day gives punters the chance to peek behind the curtain of the Stone & Wood engine room, with staff guiding festival goers through the site on tours throughout the day,” she said.

“Running from 11am to 5pm, Murbah Open Day is an event for the whole family and a chance for the people at Stone & Wood to give back to the amazing community that supports them.” Entry to the festival is by gold coin donation with all profits going towards an amazing local cause: Tweed Palliative Support Wedgetail Retreat.

“Wedgetail Retreat provide free palliative care to the Northern Rivers community, giving locals and their families a warm and welcoming environment to call home,” Ms Benson said.

“Operating without government funding, Wedgetail relies on the support of its community to keep its doors open and continue with the excellent care they provide.

“Details on the music and food line-up to come.”