Kids’ work is a real help

By Kath Gannaway
A GROUP of young people caused a stir along the Warburton Highway last week when they ripped out plants cleaned up someone’s house and generally made their presence felt at a number of schools, nursing homes and other institutions.
And, that’s the good news.
The even better news is that everyone involved can’t wait for it to happen again.
“The kids loved it. Some of the young people who didn’t get their jobs finished on the day are saying they want to go back and finish what they started,” said Brian Way, principal of Upper Yarra Secondary College.
The young people are year nine students at the college who last week took part in a new project – Real Kids, Doing Real Things That Really Matter.
The project is aimed at linking young people with community organisations as close as possible to where they live.
Jobs included working with local environment groups, including Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater and MERG (Millgrove Environment Restoration Group) where they mentored Millwarra Primary School students at the group’s planting day, helping with classification of the Upper Yarra Museum collection, setting up a gymnasium, working with elderly residents at two nursing homes and, through River Valley Church, helping an elderly local couple tidy up around their house.
“It was interesting to see how the students connected with older people and how much pride they took in their very immediate communities,” Mr Way said.
“It’s the first time we’ve done it and the people who they worked with were very appreciative.
“I think everyone would like to see the school do it as a regular thing,” he said.