: News Article

NQ Water skills students

29/07/2003

A project sponsored by NQ Water promises to give students from a number of Townsville secondary schools both valuable life experience and blisters.

The students will be bending their backs three hours a week over eight weeks to improve the amenity of Ross River Dam by building public seating. They’ll also be reconstructing a canoe.

The students will master the use of power tools and develop skills including fibreglassing, concreting and painting.

The group has been identified by Education Queensland’s Secondary Behaviour Management team as benefiting from more exposure to practical work said teacher Liz Hennig, who also praised NQ Water’s involvement.

"NQ Water first donated more than $700 worth of safety equipment to help the students participate in a project earlier in the year," Ms Hennig said.

"They’ve now come up with some of their own work."

"These projects are designed so the students learn new skills and have something tangible to show for their labours. NQ Water also is having shirts and hats especially printed for them, to help build a sense of ownership in the project and to promote team unity.

"This is a very generous offer by NQ Water and will help build a sense of pride and commitment."

NQ Water was proud to contribute said Chairman Ian Hamilton.

"The Board of NQ Water recognises it has community responsibilities beyond its core business of managing the region’s water assets," Mr Hamilton said.

"We want the community’s help in promoting responsible water consumption and conservation of our assets and are prepared to give something back.

"This is a real grassroots project which both enhances the amenity of our public spaces and gives these young people new skills. We are happy to be a part of it."

Contact: Ian Hamilton and Liz Hennig will be available for comment at the Ranger’s hut in the compound where the students will be working at Ross River Dam at 11.15 a.m. today (Tuesday 29 July). Media are asked to meet at Ross Park at the base of the dam. Ian Hamilton can be contacted on 0418 777 284. Media Liaison Robert Dark is on 0417 623 156. - 29/07/03

© 2004 NQ Water