The Launceston City Council and Esk Education District’s Co Pilots program received the Local Government Association of Tasmania’s Award for Excellence in Community Development and the overall Gold Award earlier this year.
A celebration event to mark the completion of the Co Pilots Program was held in September at the Riverside Community Centre last month.
The program is based on using community mentors to develop young people who work on a broad range of projects. These have included a range of endeavours such as interviewing residents, furnishing a foyer at a school, along with building and selling a BMX bike.
The recognition through the award and the ceremony has reinforced the benefits of partnerships between governments, businesses and individuals. It also reflects the program’s capacity to benefit many sectors of the community.
The fact that 50 local businesses are sponsoring Co Pilots projects this year is a clear indication that awareness and support of the program is increasing.
Mayor Janie Dickenson said the Co Pilots program embodied true community spirit, not only by mentors giving their time to support young people but by the whole community getting behind a concept that requires commitment, effort and belief to make a difference.
“The program has set our young people up with fantastic role models and develops confidence and skills that will help shape great futures,” she said.
Twenty-seven projects from this year’s program will be showcased at the Co Pilots celebration event in early September. Projects will be presented by students and mentors. Some of the products made as part of the project have been sold and cheques will be presented to representatives from selected charities.
During 2004, there has been a 125 per cent increase in participation with 27 mentors and students, six high schools and, for the first time, four primary schools being involved. This major increase in the size of the program has resulted from schools managing the coordination of students with a central coordinator responsible for mentors. This division of labour has been extremely successful with efficiency of delivery increased.
Esk District Acting Superintendent, Mike Willie, said that schools have really risen to the challenge and made this year a success.
“Schools have recognised that once familiar with the program, delivery will get easier and the long term benefits are worth the short term effort. With the continued success of Co Pilots this year plans are already underway for a more successful program in 2005,” he said.
For further information contact Manager Civic Affairs, Gary Stokes, on (03) 6323 3123.
