Castlemaine Secondary College students are working towards cultural change in Mount Alexander Shire, developing it as an enterprising community of international significance. Our Enterprising Community is based on the development of Nokia, a town in Northern Finland approximately the same size as Castlemaine. Nokia is famous world wide for creating mobile technology in 1982.
Castlemaine Secondary College Project Manager, Leah Sertori, said the program began with six stakeholder groups of 20 to 25 people, including parents, teachers and Councillors. The groups developed their own definition of what a truly enterprising community looks like.
“Once a shared vision was established, enterprising projects that involve students and local businesses were initiated,” Leah Sertori said. “The school has already drawn in more than 200 direct partners, including the Castlemaine Business Association, which matches local business groups to groups of teaching staff; the Central Victorian Area Consultative Committee; La Trobe University as a research partner; the Swedish Department of Education; the Finnish Ministry of Education; and the Midlands Local Community Partnership.
“Local businesses have been extremely supportive, contributing substantial resources and expertise.”
This year, 22 enterprise projects are operating throughout the Shire, including wine production.
In 2005, students visited Bress Winery and left with the making of a sustainable business enterprise. Owner, Adam Marcs, donated a block of land, wine making equipment as well as his skills and knowledge to assist them to make wine. The students recently bottled their first batch of wine, ‘Galbanoso’, meaning lazy in Spanish. If all 3,000 bottles sell, the venture will profit $21,000.
Mount Alexander Mayor, Councillor David Gittus, showed his support of Our Enterprising Communities, introducing the Mayoral Mentoring Program.
“The program will involve students attending Council meeting and sharing their views on Council projects,” he said. “It will also be a great way to show them how Local Government works.”
In March, Leah Sertori completed a short study tour of Scandinavia, along with two representatives from the Bendigo Bank; local businessman, Neil Henson; and three Castlemaine teachers. While investigating international best practice in enterprising communities, the visit aimed to establish a network of enterprising communities.
“One goal is to develop a relationship with a Swedish ‘sister’ school,” Leah Sertori said. “We are also keen to get businesses on board to form larger partnerships, where students can communicate via webcam, for example, and work on at least two international projects a year.”
Mount Alexander will host a study group of 21 Swedes later in the year.
