By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
ALMOST six months after it was launched, the Belgrave ‘Green Army’ held its graduation at Birdsland last Friday.
All nine participants who began the program saw it through to completion, with the majority now moving on to other employment or study programs.
The aim of Green Army initiatives is to employ young Australians to support local environment and heritage conservation projects around the country.
Speaking at the graduation, Federal Member for La Trobe Jason Wood urged participants to treat their achievement as a “badge of honour.”
“The end goal is to not only pick up skills but also find work,” he said
“What you’ve learned here is so important. You’ve gained skills, made friends and used teamwork.”
Mr Wood thanked all those who had helped the Green Army over the past six months particularly supervisor Martin Forster, who, he said, had “gone the extra mile” in making sure that participants achieved their potential in the course and encouraging them to pursue full time employment.
Over their time, the Green Army was involved in projects such as weed eradication and building a fence to protect platypuses at Belgrave Lake Park.
The program was part of the $3million committed over three years by the government to improve and conserve the health of the Dandenong Ranges.
The participants were each presented with a certificate from Mr Wood, who congratulated them on their achievement and wished them well in their future endeavors, which include studying conservation land management, working in environmental services and taking up an apprenticeship.
He left the graduates with advice for the rest of their careers.
“Use this opportunity to go into the future and do so much more.”
