Hi Bryan,
I haven’t had a chance to put this online yet. We played it last week on the Mornings program. Thanks for the opportunity to come to Wodonga tafe, it was great to hear about your project.Unfortunately I couldn’t fit everyone into the 5 minute clip, but I would love to come back and record more of the group as the project develops.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/33531182/River%20to%20Recovery%20TO%20AIR%207.mp3
Josh
What a great day at the Bunnings Sausage Sizzle on Saturday ! The team in two shifts worked very well. We had a steady stream of customers all day from 8.30am to 4pm, the cold day may have helped. The Bunnings facilities and staff were very helpful and Shane’s folks expert advice got us going. The pre BBQ work at St Lukes and the teams commitment on the day was outstanding. I won’t post the amount raised, I’ll await the treasurer’s report, but suffice to say the result was beyond expectation and should assist greatly with purchasing equipment and or associated project costs. With almost no direction team members chose jobs to do and when the pressure was on in ‘rush periods’ all hands were on deck. Team members had the odd well earned break, but all worked throughout the day and helped with the clean up at the end. If we needed proof of the independence of the R2R group , planning skills , improved communication skills and confidence, this was it.
BW.
Josh Becker from the ABC, visited our student group on the 2nd of May. It was great to see the continued interest from the ABC. All members engaged in conversation with Josh and some engaged in short informal interviews with him. Josh was very accommodating and easy to talk to and showed genuine interest in how things are progressing. Next on the agenda for the group is a Bunning’s Sausage Sizzle in Wodonga this Saturday 18th May 9am to 4pm, a float the boat session and camp at Tallangatta in two weeks. Members of the group and St Lukes have also received great support from local Rotary clubs of late. Rural mental health matters are high on Rotary’s list of priorities and the response from local members & clubs has been very positive. The count down for the Murray adventure at end of November is on and the R2R group will need to support each other in this unique endeavour, watch fitness levels and manage possible excitement and anxiety. However with the continued support of groups such as Rotary and The Border rescue organisation the task is getting easier!
Bryan.
2013. A big year ahead!
2013 the year that a lot of hard work comes together. The significance of the R2R project will become apparent as this year progresses.
The length of training is significant. Wodonga TAFE has been engaged in providing equitable training options for students who have had difficulty with mental health issues for over 10 years but this is the first course that has run over a two year period. It has been pleasing to note that retention rates for the group have been excellent and despite challenges, student moral and enthusiasm has been maintained at a high level.
The time frame for completing the boats has been tightened but I am informed the student boat builders are on track. We discussed last year options for decorating the boats and plans are afoot to continue fundraising activities.
Safety is paramount and this will be explored fully this year. Students are starting the year with first aid training at St Lukes and I expect some of us will be getting wet this year, practicing with the completed boats before the main trek.
I expect some students will have personal challenges this year that may impact of their ability to participate in the R2R project. Obviously managing ones mental health is the priority but seeing things through to the end is also important. I am confident ‘The Team’ will look after team members and all R2R members will have a role and not be excluded due to possible unforseen health issues. This has been the plan from day one and 2013 sees us with a well bonded group that has developed a high level of trust in each other through involvement with St Lukes and the two days a week training at Wodonga TAFE.
The obvious end product of the boats shows a high degree of skills attainment, the personal development, communication skills, at times ‘healthy debate’, goal setting and team planning is also obvious within the R2R group.
So once again, a big year ahead and the rewards should be huge. The team has the opportunity to achieve something quite unique and special and in the process raise the profile of rural mental health matters in a very positive way.
Bryan Winnett.
Teacher Foundation Studies WIOT. 5.2.13
Photos from the boat building process.
