Moorabool Shire Council in southwest Victoria is improving and maintaining its assets, while assisting ‘at risk’ youth to develop social and practical skills.
Established in 2006, Council’s Gettin’ Dirty program is an early intervention program aimed at developing connections between young people and organisations in their local community.
The program is run by three primary partners – Moorabool Shire Council’s Youth Services and Parks and Gardens, Victoria Police and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
Council’s Manager Recreation Development Troy Scoble said participants generally range from upper primary years to lower secondary years and are mostly considered ‘at risk’ by teachers or local police.
“They are usually young people who have previously, or are currently showing signs of disengagement in the mainstream community,” he said.
Troy Scoble said participants undertake a range of maintenance type tasks on a variety of high profile Council and community assets, such as planting, weeding, painting and so forth.
“Maintaining Council and community assets instils community pride in the participants, engendering a sense of ownership and pride,” he said. “They also work together, developing team work and social skills.
“Parks and Gardens staff have noticed a definite change in the community environment and a decrease in antisocial behaviour.
“Sustainability is enhanced through activities that result in community gains, such as additions and improvements to, and maintenance of community assets over and above scheduled works at no additional cost to Council or the community.
“In addition, the program establishes positive contact between at risk youth, Victoria Police, Moorabool Shire Council staff and teachers, as well as the community.”
Four Gettin’ Dirty programs are run throughout the year – one week in each of the school terms.
To date more than 180 young people have participated in
the program.
Moorabool Mayor Michael Tudball said the students do such an amazing job working on projects that benefit the whole community.
“They take a lot of pride in what they do,” he said. “This program shows what can be achieved from working together.”
