Construction students build community

By Sala Mkoka

Roseberry QLD has received a generous donation from CQUniversity Rockhampton with the supply of newly constructed cabinetry for use in youth crisis accommodation ‘Jack’s House’.

Crafted by high-schoolers enrolled in CQUniversity’s Start TAFE Now Certificate I in Construction, 11 bedside tables have gone to good use for those in need in the community.

CQUniversity Associate Vice-President for the Rockhampton and Central Highlands Regions Kim Harrington said that they were delighted to be able to partner with a local organisation to meet the needs within the community.

“With engagement as a core value of CQUniversity, we are pleased to be able to showcase and donate these bedside cabinets which have been built by local Year 11 students as part of their Certificate I in Construction Start TAFE Now course,” Ms Harrington said.

Construction students Georgia Casey and Luke Frame from the Rockhampton Grammar School said they were pleased to see that their work would go to benefit those in the community that most need it and that their work had a significant purpose behind it.

Jack’s House Youth Worker Danielle Baker has been with the organisation for the last seven years and said that when young people present to the shelter due to homelessness, there are many basic needs that require addressing before they are able to set them up to re-enter the workforce or find housing, and said that community donations go a long way.

“We rely a lot on donations as resources and funding can sometimes be limited, so donations ensure that our young people don’t go without,” Ms Baker said.

“This also then allows us to allocate our financial resources to addressing some of the more complex issues in assisting our young people.

“It’s nice for the community to come together to give to our young people and we would like to say a big thank you to CQUniversity for this donation – it is greatly appreciated.”