Year 12 VET Construction students have been busy over the past few months completing their course competency of “Undertaking a Construction Project”.  To meet the requirements of the competency, the students constructed two outdoor tables that have been installed at the Taree Community Kitchen.  After MidCoast Council deemed the only existing table on their site as too unsafe, the call came from the kitchen volunteers seeking assistance from our VET Construction students.

 The Problem

The project was a perfect fit for the student’s course programme as the students were ready to commence the Construction Project competency. 

Liaising with Michelle Robinson, Food Programs Coordinator and Meg Norling, Volunteer Coordinator, both from CatholicCare Social Services, Hunter-Manning, allowed the project to be realised and the second of the two tables were delivered last week. 

The students, Alfie Gibbin, Mason Polidano and Alex Tobin were responsible for creating the design, choosing, costing and ordering the materials and constructing and finishing the tables.  In addition to the satisfaction of constructing the tables, the students were able to experience the satisfaction of reaching out and helping those in need and supporting a valuable charitable cause in the local community. 

The Solution.  The new tables in place at the Community Kitchen outdoor area 

The tables have been gratefully received by the Taree Community Kitchen where patrons now have a comfortable alfresco dining space overlooking Queen Victoria Park and the Manning River. 

Alfie Gibbin, Mr O’Neill and Mason Polidano on delivery day.  Absent, Alex Tobin
Under construction at the school’s Trade Training Centre 

Mark O’Neill
TAS Teacher