For many of us Covid 19 was a time to stay indoors, isolate and keep our hands clean. Well that’s the theory, but not for some inventive VCAL students who had just started their Personal best projects when the dreaded bug hit. Unperturbed our trusty crew went outside and got their hands dirty creating some truly magnificent items that had real personal meaning and some real challenges to say the least. Here is a sample of the extraordinary projects they undertook during remote learning:
- Joe Corrone created an agricultural hole-puncher for the family strawberry farm
- Lachie McIntyre’s need for speed was translated into a Ute rack to cart his precious dirt bike.
- Declan Russell reused a gas cylinder turning it into a professional looking roaster-BBQ
- Tamara Craig not to be outdone designed and manufactured an eye lash application station that is envied by beauty salons in the region.
- Charlotte Vranken took on the greatest challenge by purchasing 1964 caravan and then totally restored the interior — it will now be the home of her new jewellery making enterprise
- Mark Vanderkolt created an exceptionally crafted Adirondack chair and wanted to let people know that he is happy to take orders
- Lily Trewin produced menus and a series of three course meals, each based on a different cuisine from around the world. In addition to this she catered the Personal Best class celebrations
- Macky Wilson produced a Wildlife Warrior first aid kit for those people who find injured wildlife on the side of the road and want to assist them. Profits made from sales will go to Wildlife Shelters that survive on donations. Mitch made a portable greenhouse with an irrigation system that is designed to grow seedlings.
Considering the implications of Covid and the resulting remote learning that students undertook, all VCAL staff were very delighted with the efforts of our Year 11 VCAL students and their excellent Personal best projects. The next phase for these students will see them undertake a series of Community projects based at MLMC and the wider community.
